Published: July 01, 2009 11:31 pm      

Organizations work to raise awareness of MS risk for vets

George “Murph” Neelan of suburban Pittsburgh started losing control of his muscles

24 years ago, and the condition has gotten progressively worse.

Bill Taafe of Duncansville developed visual problems so severe he couldn’t drive and was virtually housebound for eight months in 1979, but he has had few problems since then.

The two men have two things in common: Both are veterans and both have multiple sclerosis.

And both were in Johnstown on Wednesday for a town hall meeting to raise awareness of the need for multiple sclerosis research and the possible threat to military veterans of combat.

“We have a strong indication of a link between combat-service veterans and MS,” said Tom Caulfield, regional coordinator for the Veterans Leadership Program of Western Pennsylvania and director of Veteran Community Initiatives in Cambria County.

Those who fought in the first Gulf War in particular have elevated rates for multiple sclerosis, he said.

About 28,000 veterans are receiving care for multiple sclerosis through the Veterans Adminstration, Caulfield said.

An estimated 5,300 cases are thought to be service-connected.

But only about one in three eligible veterans receives health care through the Veteran’s Adminstration, Caulfield said.

“Some of the research we want funded would find out who some of these other veterans are,” he said.

In the past few years, funding available for multiple sclerosis research has dropped even as the incidence of the disease has increased, David Chatel, National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s executive vice president for advocacy, told the audience at the meeting in Holiday Inn-Downtown, 250 Market St.

Backed by national veterans’ groups, the society was able to have $5 million for research added to the Defense Department’s budget.

The society is asking for $15 million next year.

Research is vital, Neelan said.

“I came here to give support,” he said. “These grants for research can help find a cure.”

The Multiple Sclerosis Society provides vital support for those dealing with the neurological disease, he said.

“I say am the luckiest man in the world because I have had so much help and support from the MS Society and my friends and family,” Neelan said.