IL Lottery Introduces The MS Project New Instant Game

CHICAGO, IL, March 27, 2013 (Press-News.org) As part of its mission to financially support important causes, the Illinois Lottery has introduced a new instant game from which all proceeds are dedicated to research the causes, prevention, and cure of multiple sclerosis (MS), an often debilitating disease. MS Project, the sixth edition of a specialty instant game that funds MS research, will generate over $1 million this year to support research programs. Since 2008, the Lottery, working closely with the National MS Society, has raised more than $5.7 million from the sale of MS instant games.

In announcing the new MS Project game, Illinois Lottery Superintendent Michael Jones was joined today by John Blazek, President of the National MS Society Greater Illinois Chapter; Dr. Douglas Feinstein, UIC researcher and MS grant recipient; and Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health.

"Lotteries have a long history of raising money for important, common-good causes," said Illinois Lottery Superintendent Michael Jones. "If you decide to buy a MS Project instant ticket, win or lose, your action creates substantial funding for programs that combat MS. MS is especially devastating among young women, it strikes with little warning and is among the most pernicious of diseases. Join us in the MS Project to use a lottery to create important funding."

The MS Project instant game will provide over $ 1million for the Illinois Multiple Sclerosis Research Fund. Proceeds will be used to help physicians better understand the disease, and to enable researchers to continue their diligent efforts to discover a cure. Each MS Project ticket costs $2 and includes potential top instant prizes of up to $20,000. It is available at all lottery retailers in Illinois.

Mary Donovan of Oak Forest won a top prize on last year's MS instant game, named Mission Move. "'I'm not a regular Lottery player, but I had to buy this ticket. My daughter was diagnosed with MS two years ago. Thankfully, she is doing well, and is still working," said Donovan. "When the Lottery offers a game like this, people should know the money is going to such an important cause; I think everyone should play. We need to do all we can to fight MS. I am grateful the Illinois Lottery is raising funds to help us find a cure for MS."

"With so many breakthroughs in MS research happening worldwide, this is a time of great promise for people living with MS," said John Blazek, President of the MS Society's Greater Illinois Chapter. "We are very excited that this unique pilot research initiative, fueled by Lottery funds, will propel new research on multiple sclerosis in Illinois and continue to move us closer to a cure."

Multiple sclerosis, an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system, interrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and the body. Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted.

"We're very happy to have received grant money, and want to thank the Illinois Lottery for making funds available for basic and clinical research," said Dr. Douglas Feinstein, National MS Society grant recipient and UIC researcher. "One of the goals of our project is to look for interventions that would provide support or increase survival of the neurons and axons in individuals with MS."

The Illinois Department of Public Health will continue to provide MS Project proceeds to the National MS Society, which, in turn, awards grants to organizations conducting MS research in Illinois. All grants funded by MS Project revenue have been, and will continue to be, reviewed and approved by the National MS Society's Research Programs Advisory Committee, a panel that includes 75 leading scientists, physicians and other professionals from virtually every field related to MS.

"There are at least 400,000 Americans living with MS, and every week about 200 people are diagnosed with the disease. About 20,000 are living with MS in Illinois," said Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck. "The treatment cost for people with MS can average $70,000 a year, so IDPH is proud to have the ability to provide funding to researchers who are working diligently to make the lives of those currently living with the disease more comfortable and, ultimately, working to find a cure."

MS Project is available at more than 8,100 Illinois Lottery retailer locations across the state. If you don't see the game displayed please ask for it. For more information regarding MS Project, please visit http://www.msticket.com or for more information regarding multiple sclerosis, visit http://www.MSIllinois.org or http://www.gatewayMSsociety.org.

With Illinois Lottery, Anything's Possible with Games Like Mega Millions, Powerball, and Lotto. Play Online or Find Winning Lottery Numbers for Your Favorite Games Today. Find more information about Illinois Lottery at http://www.illinoislottery.com.