Greetings:

The National MS Society has asked that I help in identifying veterans who will assist in advocating for a recent appropriation for DoD research funds to study the possible environmental triggers that may cause MS. Although the research is for the Department of Defense, the reference to veterans as a cohort justifying the research is more significant than the actual evidence. The cohort that the MS Society refers to is loosely the Gulf War era, when in actuality the veteran cohort begins with Vietnam era veterans but will not focus on either group and is inclusive of the general population. The study will research the possibility of an environmental cause for MS. There is a reference to a study showing an elevated rate of Kuwaiti's between 1993-2000 and we know anecdotally that many Gulf War veterans have been diagnosed with or experience MS-like symptoms. The study of environmental triggers will benefit all who have MS. However, the MS Society itself somewhat misleads the scope of the study with it's reference to Gulf War veterans and, in fact, news articles that I have participated in with the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. I want to be clear that the proposed study does not emphasize or focus on Gulf War veterans. And this study is not connected in any way to the MS legislation introduced by Senator Patty Murray regarding presumptive service connection for veterans with MS. This proposed appropriated DoD study on the environmental triggers of MS is a wonderful opportunity for all of us to learn more about MS, MS-like symptoms and possible environmental triggers for all who suffer. And ultimately be useful in finding a cure for this debilitating disease. If you would like to work with the National MS Society, please immediately contact Shawn O'neail: shawn.oneail@ nmss.org and myself at Gulfms@... 

Please forward this message on to veterans and others you believe will be interested in this information. Let me know if you have any questions.

Best regards,
Julie Mock, President
Veterans of Modern Warfare, Inc.
www.modernveterans. com