In honor of Nevada’s first statewide Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week, Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health helped light the state orange, the official color of multiple sclerosis (MS).
In July 2023, Senate Bill 286, the “David Humm” commemorative act, established the third week of March as Nevada’s MS Awareness Week. In recognition, landmarks including the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign, Reno’s Believe sculpture and the Keep Memory Alive Event Center on the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health campus lit up orange, the official color of MS.
Humm, posthumously honored at the 2023 Power of Love gala, a fundraiser for the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, was a Las Vegas Native who played most of his decade-long National Football League career with the Raiders before becoming a radio analyst and host for the team. Known as the “Original Las Vegas Raider,” he passed away in March 2018 from complications of MS. The law bearing his name raises awareness for the autoimmune disease and the resources available to those living with it.
“Raising awareness for MS is crucial because it not only educates people about this complex chronic condition, but it also helps to break down the misconceptions surrounding it,” said Le Hua, M.D., director of the Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis Program at the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. “We’ve made so many advancements in how we treat this disease that it is possible to live well with MS. By increasing understanding of these treatment options and support resources available, we can empower those affected by MS and increase access to early and accurate diagnosis.
An estimated 9,000 Nevadans are living with MS, which is the leading causes of non-traumatic disability in young adults.
“Fear of what is to come and lack of access are some of the barriers Nevadans face in seeking MS care, yet we know that early intervention leads to better outcomes,” said Senator Marilyn Dondero Loop. “Increased awareness can help break down these barriers and that is precisely the intent of Nevada’s MS Awareness Week. I can think of no better way to mark our first statewide recognition than turning the Silver State orange.”
While there is currently no cure for MS, there are effective disease-modifying therapies. Five of the latest medications approved for the treatment of the disease were all studied at the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, giving Nevadans access to the latest treatments. The center also offers a variety of in person and virtual education, therapeutic and support programs at no-cost to Nevadans.
About the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health
Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, which opened in 2009, provides expert diagnosis and treatment for individuals and families living with Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy body, frontotemporal and other dementias; Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease, multiple system atrophy and other movement disorders; and multiple sclerosis. With locations in Cleveland, Ohio; Weston, Florida and headquarters in Las Vegas, Nevada, the center offers a continuum of care with no-cost opportunities for the community to participate in education and research, including disease prevention studies and clinical trials of promising new medications. An integrated entity, Keep Memory Alive, raises funds exclusively in support of the Nevada location. //Clevelandclinic.org/Nevada.
About Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, it was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. Cleveland Clinic is consistently recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for its expertise and care. Among Cleveland Clinic’s 77,000 employees worldwide are more than 5,658 salaried physicians and researchers, and 19,000 registered nurses and advanced practice providers, representing 140 medical specialties and subspecialties. Cleveland Clinic is a 6,699-bed health system that includes a 173-acre main campus near downtown Cleveland, 23 hospitals, more than 275 outpatient facilities, including locations in northeast Ohio; southeast Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and London, England. In 2022, there were 12.8 million outpatient encounters, 303,000 hospital admissions and observations, and 270,000 surgeries and procedures throughout Cleveland Clinic’s health system. Patients came for treatment from every state and 185 countries. Visit us at clevelandclinic.org. Follow us at twitter.com/ClevelandClinic. News and resources available at newsroom.clevelandclinic.
