Episode 80: Access to Affordable MS Medications with MS Activist Diane Whitcraft

My guest this week is Diane Whitcraft, a retired middle school teacher who had been taking the same MS prescription medication  for more than 20 years. But once Diane retired and her health insurance changed, that same medication became unaffordable.   Diane traveled to Washington D.C. last month, as Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin's guest at the President's State of the Union address. She is back in our nation's capitol this week, speaking at the National MS Society's Public Policy Conference about the importance of having access to affordable MS prescription medications.   Senator Tammy Baldwin (right) and Diane Whitcraft   We're also talking about the official statement on stem cell therapy for MS by The American Society for Blood & Marrow Transplantation. We'll tell you about a new study that measured the impact of diet and other lifestyle factors on MS progression, you'll hear about a different study that highlighted the large percentage of people who are being misdiagnosed with MS, and you'll learn how some new emojis will help to de-stigmatize disability.   We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS?!   ___________ It's Our Day on the Hill  :57 The American Society for Blood & Marrow Transplantation Makes an Official Statement About Stem Cell Therapy for MS  2:48 STUDY: The Impact of Diet & Lifestyle Factors on MS Progression  5:47 STUDY: 1 in 5 Patients Referred to 2 Academic MS Centers Are Misdiagnosed  8:17 How New Emojis Can Help De-Stigmatize Disability  5:47 My Interview with MS Activist Diane Whitcraft  12:36 Join the RealTalk MS Conversation  28:43 ___________ ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: [email protected]: (310) 526-2283 ___________ LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the RealTalk MS app or at www.RealTalkMS.com Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Give RealTalk MS a Rating & Review Autologous Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation for Treatment-Refractory Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis: Position Statement From the American Society For Blood and Marrow Transplantation Dietary and Lifestyle Factors in Multiple Sclerosis Progression: Results from a 5-Year Longitudinal MRI Study Incidence of Misdiagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis in Referrals to Two Academic Centers Preview the New Emojis That Will Help to De-Stigmatize Disability National Multiple Sclerosis Society: Advocate For Change ___________ Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com. RealTalk MS Episode 80 Hosted By: Jon Strum Guest: Diane Whitcraft Tags: MS, MultipleSclerosis, MSResearch, mssociety, MSActivist, MSPPC19, RealTalkMS