Illinois Lottery Launches 2017 ‘MS Project’ Instant Game

Media Contact:  Jason Schaumburg, (312) 793-3034                                                                                                   
 
CHICAGO, IL – The Illinois Lottery, Illinois Lieutenant Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti,  the Greater Illinois Chapter of the National MS Society and the Illinois Department of Public Health unveiled the newest version of The MS Project instant game - a lottery ticket that funds research into the cause, prevention, and future cure of Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
 
“The Illinois Lottery is proud to be partnering again with the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Greater Illinois Chapter of the National MS Society in the fight against multiple sclerosis,” Illinois Lottery Acting Director Gregory Smith said. “By purchasing the MS Project lottery ticket, players are providing financial support to their fellow Illinois citizens that struggle each day with the effects of multiple sclerosis.”
 
This is the 10th edition of The MS Project special cause instant game. The ticket costs $3 and has raised more than $8.4 million since 2008. The game offers three top instant prizes of $50,000. All net proceeds, after prize payouts and expenses, benefit MS research statewide. 
 
“I became an MS warrior in 2007. With the help of my neurologist and my family, I have been fortunate not to let MS define me,” Lieutenant Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti said. “I’m honored to join the Illinois Lottery to launch this game and thankful for their support to fight this disease. Hopefully this campaign will bring us one step closer to curing MS.”
 
“With recent advances in disease modifying therapies and treatments, it is a time of great promise for people living with MS,” said Sarah Rodriguez, President of the Greater Illinois Chapter of the National MS Society. “Thanks much in part to ongoing Lottery-funded research projects taking place across the state, Illinois is a leader in cutting-edge research aimed at stopping MS in its tracks, restoring what has been lost and ending the disease forever.”
 
All profits for The MS Project instant game go to the Illinois Multiple Sclerosis Research Fund, which awards grants to organizations conducting MS research in Illinois.  All grants are 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.
 
“MS is an unpredictable and often disabling disease affecting approximately 400,000 people in the U.S.,” said Illinois Department of Public Health Director Nirav D. Shah, M.D., J.D.  “We are pleased to partner with the Greater Illinois Chapter of the National MS Society and the Illinois Lottery to fund research to help those diagnosed with MS and to end the devastating disease.”

The MS Project ticket is available at nearly 8,000 Illinois Lottery retailers throughout the state and is one of five special cause instant games offered by the Illinois Lottery.  Other specialty games contribute funding for Illinois veterans, the fight against breast cancer, assistance for people living with HIV/AIDS, and Special Olympics training programs across Illinois.  Since 2006, when the first specialty cause instant game was introduced, the Illinois Lottery has transferred more than $43 million for causes players have supported through their ticket purchases.   
 
For more information on The MS Project, please visit IllinoisLottery.com.