MSConnection March-May 2012

M O V I N G T O W A R D A W O R L D F R E E O F M S | M A R C H - M AY • 2 0 12

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

UTAH - SOUTHERN IDAHO CHAPTER

WAlk MS PAgE 4

RESEARCH UPDATE PAgE 6-7

ADvOCACY PAgE 10

MSFACTS

MS AWARENESS WEEK - MARCH 11-18WHAT WILL YOu DO?

• 2.1millionpeopleworldwide haveMSandit’sbelieved 1in300inourarea

•Utah&Idahohaveoneofthe highestincidencerates

•Womenare2-3timesmore likelytohaveMS

• ChildrenhaveMStoo; 10,000documentedcases

• TheSocietyisoneofthe largestfundersofMSresearch

•Weaddressthechallengesof everyoneaffectedbyMS

vOlUNTEER SPOTlIgHT PAgE 11

ThismonthduringMSAwarenessWeek,peopleallacrossthecountryareconnectingwithoneanothertoeducateandsharewhatMSmeanstothem.They’reraisingtheirvoicesandturningupthevolumeonmultiplesclerosis,itsimpactinourcommunityandhowpeoplecanjointhemovement.Whatwillyoudo?

“Weallcandosomethingbigorsmallinourlocalcommunitiestogrowawarenessandwhenwedoitallatonce,itwillleaveanimpact,”saidBeckyLyttle,vicepresidentofcommunitydevelopment.“Togetherwewillstrengthenourconnections,raiseadditionalsupportforMS,improvethelivesofthoseimpacted,andonedayseeanendtothisdisease.”

Inourchapter,volunteershavebeenbusyplanningbold,creativeandcollaborativeawarenessprojects,includingorganizingflashmobs;preparinginformationaltablesatschoolswiththeeducational“TryonMS”activity;makinganddistributingorangeawarenessribbonstowearallweek;securingdeclarationsfrompublicofficials;askinglocalbusinessestolight-upinorange,displaypostersordoanawarenessactivity;makingvideosaboutwhatMSmeanstothem;engagingtheirWalkMSorBikeMSteam;andpreparinginformationtosenddailyemailsduringtheWeektofriendsorpostviasocialnetworks.ThesearejustseveraloftheactivitiesintheworksforMSAwarenessWeek.

PleasesharewithushowyouarespreadingMSawarenessthisMarch11-18andthroughouttheyear.EmailJuliann.Fritz@nmss.org.

LIVING WITH MS

SELF-HELp GROupS: YOu GET WHAT YOu GIVE

MakesuretovisittheChapter’supdatedonlinecalendar.ThereyouwillfindinformationaboutSocietyprograms,educationaleventssponsoredbypharmaceuticalcompaniesandactivitiesbyothercommunityorganizations.We’vecombinedthemallforone-stopshoppingofprogramsthatbenefitpeoplelivingwithMS.Thecalendarisupdatedregularly,sobesuretocheckbackoften.

Doyouknowofagreatprogramgoingoninyourarea?Wewouldlovetoknowaboutitandshareitwithothers.Contactusandwewilladdittothecalendar!

VisitcureMSutah.orgorcureMSidaho.org.

NationalMSSocietyself-helpgroupsarefoundedonthebeliefthat“positivepersonalchangehappensthroughindividualeffortswiththesupportofothers.”LearningtolivewellwithMSismadeeasierbyconnectingwithotherswhoarefacingsimilarchallenges,andgivingandreceivingsupportduringdifficulttimes.

Therearemorethan1,600self-helpgroupsaffiliatedwiththeNationalMSSociety.TwelveofthemareintheUtah-SouthernIdahoChapterandtheyofferanexcellentopportunitytolearnfromotherswhoarelivingwithMS.Asthesayinggoes,“Yougetwhatyougive.”Apositiveattitudeandawillingnesstolookforsolutionscreatesanupliftingenvironmentforeveryoneinvolved.

Tojoinorstartaself-helpgroupinyourareaorlearnaboutthemanyopportunitiestoconnectwithothersonlineorbytelephone,pleasecontacttheChapterat800-344-4867.

NEW & IMpROVED! CHECK-OuT THE CHApTER’S ONLINE CALENDAR

It stops a guy in Oregon, who’s lost his job and his girlfriend, from wanting

to give up.

A father in Minnesotashares how he’s feeling

MSKILLS CONNECTION> < CONNECTIONKILLS MSM Sc onnec t ion. org

TOll FREE NUMBER 800 344 4867 | 3

Irecentlyreadanewsarticleaboutthevalueofbeinga“connector.”Thearticleclarified,however,thatthisisnotthesameasnetworking.Connectorsactuallyventureoutsidetheircomfortzoneandconnectwithpeopleormakefriendstoengageandassistoneanother.ItmademethinkaboutalltheconnectorswehaveintheMSmovement.

We’reabouttostartoureventseasonwherewehavethousandsofwalkers,cyclists,orrunnerswhoconnectintheirveryowncommunities–theirfamilies,neighborhoods,socialgroups,andworkplaces–toraiseawarenessandfundsfortheNationalMSSociety.TheirabilitytoconnecthasapowerfulmultipliereffectthatcreatesawarenessandsupportforpeopleimpactedbyMS.

Wealsohaveanimpressivenetworkofmissionsupporterswhovolunteerleadingself-helpgroups,orservingonacommittee,orbecomingthefaceoftheSocietyintheircommunityasanMSAmbassador.AllofthesepeoplehelptheSocietyidentifypartnersandresourcesineachofthecommunitiesweservetoprovideclinical,vocational,physical,andsocialresourcesforthoselivingwithMS.Ourchaptercoversmorethan140,000squaremilesandwithoutourconnectorsthroughoutthisterritory,wewouldhavelimitedcapacitytodeliverservices.Thankstothoseconnectorswehavethousandsofresourcestosupportourwork.WearecommittedtoprovidingsupporttothoseaffectedbyMSatanystageofthedisease,andinthewaytheyneedit.

Ihopeyou’llwatchfortheSociety’sexcitingnewcampaign:MSKillsConnections<->ConnectionsKillMS.Weknowthisistrue.Ifyou’renotanMSconnectortoday–callus,we’dlovetobringyouintoourmovement.

AnnetteRoyle-MitchellChapterPresident

pRESIDENT’S MESSAGE800 -344-4867PUBLICATIONOFThENATIONALMULTIPLESCLEROSISSOCIETYUTAh-SOUThERNIDAhOChAPTER

StudiesshowthatearlyandongoingtreatmentwithanFDA-approvedtherapycanreducefuturediseaseactivityandimprovequalityoflifeformanypeoplewithmultiplesclerosis.TalktoyourhealthcareprofessionalorcontacttheNationalMSSocietyatnationalMSsociety.orgor800-344-4867tolearnaboutwaystohelpmanagemultiplesclerosisandaboutcurrentresearchthatmayonedayrevealacure.

TheNationalMSSocietydoesnotendorseproducts,servicesormanufacturers.Suchnamesappearheresolelybecausetheyareconsideredvaluableinformation.TheNationalMSSocietyassumesnoliabilityfortheuseofcontentsofanyproductorservicementioned.

InformationprovidedbytheSocietyisbaseduponprofessionaladvice,experienceandexpertopinion.Informationprovidedinresponsetoquestionsdoesnotconstitutetherapeuticrecommendationsorprescriptions.TheNationalMSSocietyrecommendsthatallquestionsandinformationbediscussedwithapersonalphysician.

TheNationalMSSocietyisdedicatedtocreatingaworldfreeofMS.

©2012NationalMultipleSclerosisSociety,Utah-SouthernIdahoChapter

NationalMSSocietyUtah-SouthernIdahoChapter6364S.highlandDrive,Suite101SaltLakeCity,UT84121

BoiseOffice<< Moving Spring 20126901W.EmeraldStreet,Suite207Boise,ID83704

Followus:facebook.com/MSutahIdahotwitter.com/cureMSutahIdaho

THE pOWER OF CONNECTIONS

4 | cureMSutah.org - cureMSidaho.org

SuppORTING THE MISSION

EveryyearyouhearaboutWalkMS,ormaybeyouevenparticipate(ourresearchshowsthatapproximately4%ofyoudo)buthaveyouaskedyourselfhowwecanmakethebiggestimpactatWalkMS?

WalkMSisatremendousawarenessandcommunityevent,butitisalsoasourceofrevenuethathelpstheChaptercontinueservingpeopleaffectedbyMS–tothetuneofapproximately$500,000eachyear!WalkMSisaninspiring2-4hoursoutofyourSaturdaymorning,butwhatifweallchallengedourselvestoaWalkMStrainingprogram?Let’scallittheWalktotheWalk.StepbysteptherearelittlethingswecanalldotoleaveabigfootprintonWalkMS.

Set a Goal!

Canyouraiseapennyforeveryoneofthe6,600peopleacknowledgingtoustheyhaveMSandusingtheservicesofourchapter?Whatabout$300forthe1inevery300peoplelivingwithMSinourchapter?SetagoalandthenheadoutonyourWalktotheWalk.herearesomeideasforthejourney:

Walk the Block -haveyouvisitedallyourneighborsandinvitedthemtojoinyouoraskedforsupportofyourfundraisinggoals?

Walk the Shops-haveyouspreadthewordatthemerchantsyouvisit?Askediftheywillhangaposter,displaybrochuresordonatetoyourcause?(Greatquestionafteryou’vejusttippedyourhairdresser!)

Talk the Walk-Atwork,atschool,atsocialactivities,haveyoumentionedWalkMSoraskedotherstojoinorsupportyou?

Walk the Walk -Areyoupreparedforeventday?Whetheryouwalkonyourownorwiththesupportofothers,areyouphysicallyreadytocoverthedistance?Doyouhavelayersreadyforourunpredictableweather?haveyouthoughtabouthowtoshareyouraccomplishmentandstoryoneventday?

ThebeautyoftheWalktotheWalkisthatparticipationisopentoall–whetheryoucanjoinusoneventdayornot,therearestepsEAChONEOFYOUcantaketohelpusmakeadifference.Onebyone,stepbystep,dollarbydollar,let’salldoourparttohelpcreateaworldfreeofMS.

Registertowalk,volunteerordonatetodayatwalkMSutah.orgorwalkMSidaho.organdhelpusreachourgoal!

WALK MS – WALK THE WALK

WALKMS2012JoinusatoneofthesesevenWalkMSeventsthisyear.RegistertodayandstartmakingplansforagreatWalkMS!

April 21 Boise

April 28 SaltLakeCity

September 22 IdahoFalls TwinFalls WoodRiver NorthernUtah–Ogden

October 20 SouthernUtah–St.George


LIVING WITH MS

MS SMART MOVES BEGINS JuNE 4

MarkyourcalendarsforJune4andgetmovingwithMSSmartMoves.Thisnine-weekwellnessprogramforindividualswithMSisallaboutadoptingahealthierlifestyle.Peopleatalllevelsofabilitycandoitsothereisnoreasonnottoparticipate.

howdoesitwork?Eachday,participantscanreceivepointsforhealthyactivitiesintheareasofmind,body,andspirit.Exampleactivitiesincludejournaling,doingbrainexerciseslikecrosswordpuzzles(mind);eatingbetter,exercisingorstretching(body);andsocializingwithfriendsorworkingonahobby(spirit).Participantsreceive

aweeklyemailwithwellnesstipsandkeepalogoftheiractivitiesthataccumulatepoints.Eachweek,thepointsaresubmittedtotheChapter.Throughoutthenineweeksthepointsaretalliedwithanoverallwinnerbeingannouncedattheendandawardedagreatprize!

IfyourNewYear’sresolutionhaslongbeenforgotten,oryoujustneedalittlemotivation,MSSmartMovesisagreatwaytomakesimplelifestylechangesthatcanturnintolifelong,healthyhabits.IfyouknowotherswithMSinyourarea,encouragethemtosign-upwithyou.Theextracamaraderiewilladdtothefun!

Asoneparticipantsaid,“MSSmartMoveshelpedmestaymotivated.Imadeafewprettysimplechangesandtheyreallymadeadifference.”

Therapeutic Updates in Multiple Sclerosis

Wednesday, March 7, 2012 Registration: 6:30pm–7:00pm

Program: 7:00pm–9:00pm

The Little America Hotel 500 South Main Street

Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Featuring: John F. Foley, MD

Director, Rocky Mountain Multiple Sclerosis Clinic Vita Kaplan, MD

Rocky Mountain MS Clinic

Learning about Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is essential to managing its symptoms. Join us as MS specialists present the science behind MS, current therapies, and insight into managing the disease.

MSActiveSource is a registered trademark of Biogen Idec. This program is sponsored by Biogen Idec and Elan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ©2010 Biogen Idec. All rights reserved 0-3639-03


uTAH BASED RESEARCH TO HELp DIAGNOSE MS

RESEARCH

TheSociety’sFastForward,LLCrecentlyannounceda$622,000pledgeforongoingresearchbytheUniversityofUtahClinicalNeurosciencesCenterandLineagen,Inc.,amoleculardiagnosticcompany.Theresearch,aimedatdevelopingablood-basedtesttodiagnoseMS,involvesstudyingspecificbloodproteinsorantibodiesinspinalfluid.

ThegrantenablesJohnRose,MD,leadingclinicalMSresearcherattheNeurosciencesCenter,andMarkLeppert,PhD,professorofhumangeneticsattheUniversityofUtahandLineagen’schief

scienceadvisorandco-founder,tocollaborateutilizinggeneticdataandinnovativetechnology.

Theresearchershopetobeabletousethetesttopredictdiseaseseverityandcourseinanindividual.Developmentofablood-basedtestwouldfacilitateidentifyingthebestspecifictreatmenttoimprovequalityoflifeforapersonlivingwithMS.

PatientswouldgreatlybenefitifclinicianswereabletodistinguishMSfromotherneurologicaldisordersandprovidetargetedandappropriatetreatmentmanagement.Thetestbeing

researchedwouldallowphysicianstoquicklyruleoutotherneurologicaldisorders,determineifapatienthasMS,identifydiseaseprogression,andweighappropriatetherapies.

AnintegralpartoftheSociety’scomprehensiveapproachtoMSresearchandtreatment,FastForward,LLCwasfoundedin2007asanot-for-profitorganization,focusedonspeedingpromisingresearchdiscoveriesintocommercialdrugdevelopment.LearnmoreaboutongoingresearchfundedbyFastForwardatfastforward.org.

InthelargestMSgeneticsstudyever,researchershavedocumented29newgeneticvariantsassociatedwithMS,andconfirmed23otherspreviouslyimplicatedinthedisease.

Mostofthegeneswererelatedtoimmunefunction,andmorethanathirdhavealreadybeenlinkedtoautoimmunediseases.AlargenumberwererelatedtoT-cellfunction;Tcells,atypeofwhitebloodcell,playamajorroleintheimmunesystem’sattackagainstthenervoussysteminMS.Also,twogeneslinkedtovitaminDwerefound:researchincreasinglysuggeststhatlowvitaminDlevelsareariskfactorfordevelopingMS.(TheSocietyisfundinganewclinicaltrialofvitaminDsupplementation.)

Thestudy,acollaborationbetweentheInternationalMSGeneticsConsortiumandtheWellcomeTrustCaseControlConsortium2,waspublishedintheAugust11,2011,issueofNature,andinvolvednearly10,000peoplewithMSandmorethan17,000who

donothavethedisease.Whiletheresultsofgeneticsstudieshaven’tsofarresultedintheabilitytodoindividualgeneticcounseling,theseandfurtherfindingsshouldhelpuncoverwhatcausesMSandimprovetreatments.TheSocietyisfundingasecondlargestudytoconfirmandexpandtheseresults.

RESEARCHERS IDENTIFIED 52 MS GENES


NEW MS THERApY MOVES FORWARD ThefirstphaseIIIstudyofalemtuzumab(proposedbrandnameLemtrada)forrelapsing-remittingMSfoundthatthedrugmetoneoftwoprimaryendpoints.Researchersfoundthatpeopletreatedwiththedrughad55%fewerrelapsesovertwoyearscomparedtothosetakingtheinterferonRebif.however,resultsofthetrial’sothergoal,todelaydisability,werenotstatisticallybetterthanRebif.Thestudy,calledCARE-MSI,involved581peoplewithrelapsing-remittingMS.Anothertrial,calledCARE-MSII,isstillunderway.

Alemtuzumabisamonoclonalantibodythatattacksthecellsintheimmunesystemthatcontributetomyelindamage.ItispresentlyapprovedbytheFDAtotreatB-cellchroniclymphocyticleukemia.SanofiandGenzyme,thedrug’ssponsors,plantoseekapprovalofthisintravenousdrugforMSintheU.S.thisyear.InJune2010,theFDAdesignatedalemtuzumaba“FastTrackProduct,”whichshouldexpediteitsfuturereviewafterresultsofthephaseIIItrialsaresubmitted.

BONE HEALTH MAY BEGIN EARLYPeoplewithMShavelongbeenknowntobeatriskforboneloss,butastudypublishedintheJuly12,2011,issueofNeurologysuggeststhatitcanoccurveryearly,evenbeforeMShasbeendiagnosed.

Accordingtothestudy,lowbonemassismorewidespreadamongpeoplenewlydiagnosedwithMS,orthosewithclinicallyisolatedsyndrome(orCIS,asingleepisodeofMS-likesymptoms),thanamongpeoplewithoutMS.Studyresearchersmeasuredbonedensityin99peoplenewlydiagnosedwithMSorCIS,comparedto159peoplewithoutMS.MorethanhalfofthepeoplewithMSorCIShadlowbonemass,comparedto37%ofcontrolsubjects.

Previously,scientistshadspeculatedthatpeoplewithMSareatgreaterriskoflowbonedensityandbrokenbonesduetofactorssuchaslackofexercisestemmingfrommobilityissues,medicationsorlowlevelsofvitaminD(whichplaysasignificantroleinbuildingbone).TheresearcherssuggestedthatevenearlyinMS,peopleshouldpayattentiontogoodbonehealthbygettingadequatevitaminDandcalcium,aswellasbyperformingweight-bearingactivities.Formoreideasonpromotingbonehealth,gotonationalMSsociety.organdsearchfor“YouCanBuildhealthierBones.”

MSNEWSAreyouintheloop?ForthelatestinformationonMSresearch,visitnationalMSsociety.org/research.YoualsocanhavethelatestnewsdeliveredtoyourinboxbygoingtonationalMSsociety.org/signup.

TheSocietyrecentlylaunchedablogthatisregularlyupdated.Jointheconversationatblog.nationalMSsociety.org,andconnectwithpeoplewithMS,thepeoplewhocareaboutthemandMSexperts.

RESEARCH



YOuR NECK OF THE WOODSWhatgoodthingsarehappeninginyourarea?Wewanttoknowaboutit.PleaseshareyourgoodnewswithJuliann.Fritz@nmss.org.

NATIONWIDE

Sam’sClubhaspickedtheSocietyasitscharityofchoice.AllthroughoutFebruary,the9Sam’sClubsinourchapterwerebusyfundraisingandraisingawareness.Theycreatedawarenessribbons,hostedinformationaltablesinfrontoftheirstores,hadatreadmillwalkingcontestandotherfunprograms.WhosawtheirSam’sClubsupportingtheSociety?

BOISE StudentsfromBoiseStateUniversity’sServiceLearning

programareworkingwiththeChaptertoincreaseMSawareness.Thestudentshavebeenbusyplanninganon-campusMSAwarenessWeekactivityandformingaWalkMSteam!

BOISE & SALT LAKE CITY

MSactivistsandvolunteersgatheredateachstatecapitolattheendofFebruarytomeetandsharetheirMSstorywithstaterepresentatives.

DRApER eBay’slocalofficehonoredtheChapterasoneoftheirCommunityChampionsataspecialluncheon,butwethinkthey’rethechampions.LastyeartheyformedteamsforWalkMS,BikeMSandMuckRuckusMS,volunteeredandalsogaveagrantforourscholarshipprogram.

SOuTH JORDAN

MountainAmericaCreditUnionpresentedtheChapterwithacheckfor$17,800.Thefundswereraisedbyanemployee-drivenprogramthatincludedsellingchocolates,“buying”dressdowndaysintheoffice,hostingasilentauctionandmore.Nowthat’steamwork!

Thank you Mountain America!

WELCOME SARAH FOLTMANSarahFoltman,directorofdonorandcorporatedevelopmentforSt.Luke’shealthFoundation,waselectedtotheChapter’sBoardofTrusteesattheAnnualMeetingonJanuary19,2012.

“Sarah’sexpertiseindevelopmentandinvolvementintheBoisecommunityaregreatadditionstoourorganization,”saidChapterPresidentAnnetteRoyle-Mitchell.“Shebringsasinceredesiretohelppeopleandhelpthemmovetheirlivesforward.WearehonoredtohaveherjoinusinoureffortstocreateaworldfreeofMS.”

FoltmanhasparticipatedinWalkMSBoisewithherteam,MS.Moxie.“ItissymbolicofhowItryto

manageandlivewithmydiagnosis;withcourage,aggressiveness,andalittlemoxie,”shesaidwhenexplainingthenameofherteam.

ShealsohasbeeninvolvedwiththeWalkMSCommitteethatiscurrentlyfinalizingplansfortheApril21eventatBoise’sJuliaDavisPark.SheisquiteknowledgeableabouttheservicesoftheSociety,havingreachedoutforinformationandassistancewhenshewasfirstdiagnosedwithMSin2004.

TheChapter’sboardisresponsibleforoverseeingthebusinessaffairsoftheChaptertoensureactivitiessupporttheSociety’smission.Itiscomprisedofamixofbusinessandcommunityleaders,aswellasresearchandmedicalexperts.Afulllistofmemberscanbefoundonourwebsiteinthe“AbouttheChapter”section.

NEWS


ADVOCACY

MS ACTIVISTS VISIT CApITOL HILL

MSactivistsfromaroundthecountry,includingstaffandvolunteersfromourchapter,arestormingthehallsofCapitolhillonMarch5-7fortheNationalMSSociety’sannualPublicPolicyConferenceinWashington,DC.Theyaretheretopersonallydeliverapowerfulmessage–theimportanceofbothfederalfundingforMSresearchandtheLifespanRespiteCareAct.

Federally Funded Research

TheNationalInstitutesofhealth(NIh)isthecountry’spremierinstitutionformedicalresearchandthesinglelargestsourceofbiomedicalresearchfundingintheworld.TheNIhconductsandsponsorsamajorityoftheMS-relatedresearchcarriedoutintheUnitedStates.WewillbeurgingCongresstoprovide$35billiontotheNIhinfiscalyear2012,anincreaseofnearly$5billionoverFY11.Another

avenueofimportantfundingistheCongressionallyDirectedMedicalResearchProgram(CDMRP)withintheDepartmentofDefense.TheCDMRPisapeer-reviewedprogramthatfundshigh-risk,high-rewardresearch.WewillbeaskingCongresstosupporta$15millionappropriationtothisprogramforMSresearch.Overthepastfourfederalfundingcycles,approximately$17millionhasbeenallocatedtoMSresearchintheCDMRP.

Lifespan Respite Care Act

Inaddition,activistswillbeaskingCongresstoprovide$50millionthisyearfortheLifespanRespiteCareProgram(LRCP).WhiletheLRCPoffersgreatpromisetopeoplelivingwithMSandtheirfamilies,ithasbeenwoefullyunderfunded.Thelawwasauthorizedatnearly$200millionoverfiveyears,withjust$7.5millionactuallyappropriated.TheLifespanRespiteCareProgram(LRCP)providescompetitivegrantstostateagenciesworkinginconcertwithAgingandDisabilityResourceCentersandnon-profitstaterespitecoalitionsororganizationstomakequalityrespiteavailableandaccessibletofamilycaregiversthroughtheestablishmentorenhancementofStateLifespanRespiteSystems.

Utahreceivedoneofthesegrantsintheamountof$188,000.Whilethatisagreatstart,$50millionfortheLifespanRespiteCarePrograminFY2012wouldallowallstatestomeaningfullyimplementLifespanRespiteandbeabletodemonstratesuccess,bettersupportingournation’s65millionfamilycaregivers.

YOu CAN hELPVisitnationalMSsociety.org/advocacyformoreinformationontheseimportantissues,tosign-upforAdvocacyeNews,andalsoonhowtocontactyourlegislatorstoaskthemfortheirsupportonthesecriticalissues.


VOLuNTEER

SuSAN MILLERFIndIng FrIendshIp & persOnAl grOwth By VOlunteerIng

GETINVOLVED

[email protected]

April 21 WalkMSBoise

April 28 WalkMSSaltLakeCity

June 22-24 BikeMSUtah

July 28 MuckRuckusMS

GIVE uS ACALLTheSocietycanprovideinformationandassis-tanceonawidevarietyofissues.ThereareMSNavigatorsreadyandwillingtohelp.Didyouknowwecanhelpwiththesethings?

• ChoosingthebestMedicareplanforyou• Locatinganeurologistinyourcommunity• Answeringquestionsaboutdisclosingyour MStoyouremployer• Freeassistancewithfinancialplanning• helppayingforyourwellnessprogram

Contactustodayat800-344-4867(option1)tospeaktoanMSNavigator.

Miller (left) and Dr. Lee are supportive friends

Susan Miller was in Salt Lake City when she wasdiagnosedwithMS10yearsago.herinitialexperiencewas not unfamiliar to many people who are newlydiagnosed. She found herself facing a bleak outlookwith a disease that many told her would leave herunabletodoanything.“IlostajobthatIwasreallygoodatandthatIloved,”shesaid.

When she moved to Alabama a year later, a drugrepresentativeencouragedhertogetinvolvedwiththeNationalMSSociety.ItwasthenthatMiller’snegativeoutlookonMSbegan to turnaround. “Ihad someone

pushmetowardtheSociety,” shesaid,adecision thatchangedherlifeforthebetter.“Ifshehadn’tpushedme,Iwouldn’tbedoingwhatIamdoingtoday.”

Miller began her Society involvement by joining asupport group and became close friends with Dr.RitalindaLee,acurrentboardmemberattheAlabama-MississippiChapter.Dr.LeesaidMillerisextraordinarilywelcomingand“youtrustherimmediately.”

When Miller moved to Idaho Falls, the Boise Office,having heard about the impact shemade inAlabama,asked her to get involved with Walk MS and start adaytimeself-helpgroup.MillerhasorganizedtheWalkfortwoyears,andleadsagrowingandactivegroupthataverages 15 people per meeting. She stays busy withbothpursuitsaswellaswithherfamilyandfriendswhoarefarandnear.

Milleradvisesnewlydiagnosedpeopleandthosewhohave had a negative outlook on their diagnosis to getinvolved by volunteering at the Society. “You kind oflose everything,” she said, butwhen you get involvedin thecommunity,atevents,or fromhome, “youhaveapurposeagain.”Sheappreciates the support shehasreceivedfromtheSocietyandsaid,“IwanttogivebackforwhatIgot.”

6364 S. Highland Drive, Suite 101Salt lake City, UT 84121

MArch 11-18 MSAwarenessWeek13 FinancialPlanning Assistance21 MSLectureSeries: MS101,Boise27 Chili’sGiveBackDay, StGeorge29 ImprovingQualityofLife Series:FightingFatigue,SLC

AprIl10 FinancialPlanning Assistance18 MSLectureSeries:Adaptive Equipment,Boise21 WalkMSBoise

AprIl (con’t)26 ImprovingQualityofLife Series:ImprovingYour QualityofLifewithMS,SLC28 WalkMSSaltLakeCity *AdditionalWalkMSeventsin Sept.&Oct.

MAy8 FinancialPlanning Assistance10 GettingThere:Staying MobilewithMS,St.George16 MSLectureSeries:NavigatingtheSystem, Boise17 ImprovingQualityofLife Series:MSandmobility- AdaptiveDevices,SLC

MAy (con’t)TBD ResearchSymposium30 WorldMSDay

June 20 MSLectureSeries: Pharmacological ManagementofMS,Boise23-24 BikeMSUtah:harmons BestDamBikeRide,Logan

OngOIngM,W,F WRAPMSExerciseGroup, UniversityofUtahT MSExerciseGroup, OremSportsMedicineT,Th MSAquaticsClass WestBoiseYMCA

Newprogramsarealwaysbeingaddedandmanyrequireadvanceregistration.PleasechecktheChapter’sonlinecalendar(cureMSutah.orgorcureMSidaho.org)orcall800-344-4867formoreinformationandtoRSVP.

CALENDAR @ A GLANCE

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MSConnection March-May 2012