Portage la Prairie's mayor has officially proclaimed May Multiple Sclerosis Month. Irvine Ferris signed the proclamation in his office Tuesday afternoon, joined by representatives of the local MS Society chapter. Ferris says he's personally witnessed the impact MS can have on individuals and families, and feels taking steps to raise awareness is vital.

"When a person's diagnosed with MS, their whole life changes. It effects their employment, home life, mobility, there's a lot of challenges that go along with it. I think this is really important to raise people's awareness of it, and also help raise funds to search for a cure and management of it."

He was joined by local MS Society Community Connections Coordinator Ada-Jane Okonkwo, who took the time to discuss the disease, and the ongoing research. She notes there are still many unknowns with MS, including a cure. However, she notes Manitoba is a hub for research as one of only two locations specializing in stem cell research.

"It's very important for us. Currently there's no cure for MS, and we're constantly trying to raise funds to foster research across Canada, and even across the world. One of the main things we have in Manitoba right now is the stem cell research. We have Dr. James Marriott who's championing that research in one of only two sites across Canada, which is in Winnipeg."

Okonkwo notes while fundraising is one outcome of raising awareness, they also hope to promote early diagnosis. While the disease can be debilitating, she notes it can also appear with subtle symptoms.

"You can see someone who looks very normal, and then we you speak the him and he's very tired. For example, he goes to work for 8:30 and by 10:30 he's exhausted, and you wonder why that happens. Some people may think, we'll say, lazy, or they don't want to work today, but no, there's something more happening in your system than you know."

While research into the contributing factors behind MS continues, Okonkwo notes the disease is much more prevalent in the northern hemisphere, which could indicate a lack of vitamin D as a possible factor.