ABOUT AARMS INC.

One Diagnosis. One Voice. One Mission.

AARMS Inc. was born from a diagnosis that changed one woman's life—and a determination to make sure others would not have to face Multiple Sclerosis alone.

In 2022, Cynthia James founded African-American Resources for Multiple Sclerosis (AARMS Inc.), turning her personal journey with MS into a mission to help others.

Cynthia's road to diagnosis was not easy. After living with symptoms for years, she eventually learned that she had Multiple Sclerosis and had likely been living with the disease for a long time. By the time she received answers, the disease had already caused lasting damage. But Cynthia did not allow her diagnosis to become the end of her story. She decided it would become the beginning of something bigger.

FROM PERSONAL PAIN TO PURPOSE

Cynthia's experience opened her eyes to another reality: too many African-Americans living with MS may struggle to find information, representation, understanding, and resources that speak directly to their communities. She asked herself a simple question:

“If I needed this information, how many other people need it too?” That question became AARMS. What started as one woman's desire to help has grown into an organization committed to making sure African-Americans affected by MS know that they are not invisible, they are not alone, and their voices matter.

OUR VISION

We envision a future where African-Americans are seen, represented, informed, included, and empowered throughout the MS community—from awareness and diagnosis to treatment, research, advocacy, and everyday life.

WHY AARMS EXISTS

AARMS exists because awareness can change lives. We believe that people deserve access to information that can help them recognize the signs of MS, ask questions, seek answers, understand their options, and find support. We believe representation matters. We believe communities matter. And we believe that no one should have to navigate MS without a place to turn. That's why AARMS was founded in 2022.

OUR MISSION

Our mission is to raise awareness and create a place of inclusion for African-Americans in the MS community by providing education, resources, support, advocacy, and opportunities for connection. While AARMS focuses on the unique needs, experiences, and challenges of African-Americans affected by MS, our doors are open to everyone living with MS. We believe that support should never have boundaries. Whether you are living with MS, caring for someone with MS, or supporting a loved one, AARMS is here to provide information, resources, connections, encouragement, and support throughout the journey.

AARMS is here to help men, women and children living with MS and those who care for them navigate the challenges that MS can bring. Because MS affects more than one person—it affects families, caregivers, and entire support systems. AARMS strives to be a one-stop resource where individuals, caregivers, and families can discover information, organizations, programs, services, and opportunities that may help them along their MS journey.

HER JOURNEY. OUR MISSION. THEIR FUTURE.

Cynthia could have allowed her diagnosis to define what she could no longer do. Instead, she chose to focus on what she could do: Speak, educate, advocate, reach back to help someone else and turn her experience into a purpose greater than herself.

That is the heart of AARMS. What began with one woman's diagnosis, continues to grow into a movement dedicated to raising awareness, building inclusion, and creating a stronger, more informed community for African-Americans affected by Multiple Sclerosis.

We see you.
We hear you.
We stand with you.

Raising Awareness. Building Inclusion. Fighting MS.