The National MS Society’s Pathways to Cures Research Roadmap was published in the prestigious Multiple Sclerosis Journal, establishing the very first global MS research agenda. As the biggest, boldest and most collaborative MS research effort of our time, MS organizations and scientific leaders across the globe have endorsed the roadmap, agreeing that this is the way forward to stop MS, restore lost function and end MS forever.
“When you hear about a cure, it brings that hope back… If no one would ever have to experience this, it would change the world,” shares Marti, diagnosed in 2018.
The Pathways to Cures publication marks a huge milestone in the Society’s focus on finding cures to the disease and is a direct result of the unwavering commitment and generosity of Society supporters like you.
“Curing MS is within our reach,” said Bruce Bebo, PhD, Executive Vice President of Research at the Society and lead author on the paper. “When we talk about curing MS, we’re talking about curing MS for everyone. The roadmap will drive progress by increasing alignment and focus of global resources on high priority research questions.”
Just as the experience of living with MS is different for every person, every person’s cure for MS may be different. Whether that means being able to walk without assistance, riding a bike again, seeing an MRI with no new lesions or knowing your child will never hear the words, “you have MS,” Pathways to Cures will sharpen the global focus, collaboration and shared investment needed to find cures faster. 
Scott, diagnosed in 2002
A cure for Scott would mean trading the wheels of his mobility scooter for the wheels of his bicycle — but as “plan B,” he’s happy to settle for no one ever again having to hear, “you have MS.” Through the
STOP pathway, the world will unite to improve early detection methods before MS symptoms ever appear and develop precision medicine options to prevent further disease progression.
Faith, diagnosed in 1999
As Faith shares, a cure would mean no longer having to rely on mobility aids and regaining a sense of freedom and independence. The global MS community will join forces through the RESTORE pathway to uncover remyelination options and enhance efforts to uncover rehabilitation, lifestyle and wellness strategies so people like Faith recover function and get back what they lost due to this disease.
Tim, diagnosed in 1998
Finally, significant investments will be made through the END pathway to broaden MS prevention strategies including uncovering risk factors and at-risk prevention options. This will lead us to the day no one is ever diagnosed with MS again and achieve Tim’s dream, “If my grandkids never have to go through this, that would be a godsend. People would be saying ‘hey, remember MS?’”