2.  During more than 15 years in public service, John
Guandolo helped ensure the safety of the American
public, first as an officer in the US Marine Corps and then
as a special agent of the FBI. While continuing to deter
threats to US security as founder of
UnderstandingtheThreat.com, John Guandolo also seeks
to benefit those living with multiple sclerosis (MS) through
his contributions to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
In order to finance the development of safe therapies for
the disease, the National MS Society’s funding advocacy
focuses on preserving support for the National Institutes of
Health (NIH), the Congressionally Directed Medical
Research Programs (CDMRP), and the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA). The target of the society’s advocacy
campaign is Capitol Hill.

3.  Since the NIH is the largest funder of MS
research initiatives in the world, providing
adequate funds to the Institutes is crucial to
improving understanding and treatment of
MS. The Multiple Sclerosis Research Program
within the CDMRP facilitates further
investigation. Any new pharmaceutical
treatments for MS must pass safety testing
by the FDA before patients can use them.
Without sufficient funding, the safety
evaluation process will take longer,
delaying treatment for patients.

4.  The National MS Society’s continued
discourse with members of Congress has
helped effect change. The House has
approved a $5 million increase in funding
for the 2015 CDMRP MS research budget
and the Society is exhorting the Senate to
follow suit. Though funding has been
increased year-on-year for the NIH, it is
currently inadequate to meet biomedical
research inflation.