Jay Rosenberg

"The West Wing has helped educate millions of viewers about the real-life issues confronted by people diagnosed with MS," says Jay Rosenberg, M.D. and chair of the AANERF."By publicly disclosing that he has MS, the Josiah Bartlett character provides a very important model of effectiveness and hope for the more than 300,000 Americans living with MS today -- a hope that is also shared by the millions of other Americans living with neurologic diseases such as stroke, Parkinson's disease and epilepsy.

Studies have reported that 40 percent of people with MS keep their diagnoses secret from family, friends or colleagues for fear of what it could to do their personal and professional lives."We at the AANERF especially commend The West Wing for accurately and respectfully portraying the realities of MS in the workplace," says Rosenberg."Determining how and when to disclose their illness is one of the most common problems faced by people with MS."

As the television show reveals, MS affects each individual patient differently.A disease of the central nervous system, MS can cause widely varied symptoms -- blindness, numbness, paralysis, difficulty walking to name a few-- but it can also be in remission for years, as is the case with "President Bartlett."

"People with MS can be productive members of society, as The West Wing makes very clear in showing that the President of the United States can function effectively in office after being diagnosed with the disease," says Rosenberg."The show also emphasizes that MS can be treated through modern drug therapies -- President Bartlett is shown on a medication regimen -- which is another key element in the campaign to raise public awareness about MS."

This is the first time the Public Leadership in Neurology Award has been given to a television series.