Up coming events: August 3 B.B.Q. Ginger Petty 11am – 3pm

August 15 Departure for camp Étincelle August 25 Rendez-vous A &W

•

July 2016

3869 Des Sources blvd, Suite 204, Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Qc H9B 2A2

Tél: 514-676-1588 email: grpspbo@videotron.ca

HORIZON

Joelle and Wayne

A radical and risky stem cell therapy has been shown to halt and even reverse some of the symptoms of those worst affected by multiple sclerosis, a condition that in many people has proved untreatable. To succeed, the transplant requires the destruction and rebooting of each person's immune system- such a high risk approach that one of the patients died. But most of the others, followed for between four and 13 years, had no further progression of the disease. The disease normally entails worsening symptoms over time. To the surprise of their doctors, some patients recovered functions that had been eroded by the disease, including their sight and balance. Doctors in Canada conducted an experimental stem cell transplant with 24 patients who were expected to be confined to a wheelchair within 10 years or already wheelchair bound. After receiving the treatment most of the patients regained control of their lives. Mark Freedman, the neurologist at the University of Ottawa, who co-led the trial, said he would not say his patients were cured. "I hesitate to use the c-word. A cure would be stopping all disease moving forward and repairing all damage that has occurred. As far as we can ascertain, no new damage seems to occur beyond the treatment and patients don't need to take any medication, so in that sense, I think it has induced a long-standing remission. Some patients did recover substantial function and this allowed them to do things they could not do for years, but others did not.’’ However, the long-term results of the trial in Canada, published in the Lancet medical journal, have been universally applauded by scientists and support groups and will lead to a worldwide clamour for the transplants to be more widely available. Stephen Minger, a stem cell biologist and independent consultant, said: "The clinical results are truly impressive, in some cases close to being curative, though we need longer-term follow-up to know for certain whether the patients continue to do well or if there is a chance for relapse.

And of course this trial will need replication by other groups too.’’

TOM

Fundraising for the Walk

available 24 hours a day and except for specialty restaurants it’s free. The specialty restaurants serve gastronomic meals for a minimal fee. We usually treat ourselves to one of these meals during our cruise. You have to pay for soft drinks, specialty coffees, smoothies, Gelato and alcoholic beverages. For those of you who drink a lot, you can buy a card that allows you unlimited access to any or all of these. There are daily activities and entertainment on board. For the shoppers, there are boutiques and gift shops. When in a port of call you can take excursions organized by the cruise line, go somewhere you chose or just shop around.

The doctors say this treatment is not for everyone with MS because of the dangers. Modern drugs can control the symptoms for most people with the disease, but they do not work in people who have a sudden onset of very aggressive disease with frequent relapses. Freedman said the transplants they had been doing in Ontario was suitable for perhaps 5 to 10 percent of MS patients. ''It is needless if the disease can be controlled with mild medications that don't carry those kind of risks'‘, he said. Stem cell transplants have been carried out before in MS patients, but those people had a relapse after a couple of years. Never before have doctors used the aggressive drug regimen used in Canada- therapy that totally destroys the immune system, putting patients at risk for a while from life-threatening infections. The patient in the transplant group who died suffered very severe liver damage and a bacterial infection which caused sepsis, or blood poisoning. In the process, the Canadian doctors removed stem cells from the bone marrow of the patients and processed these in a laboratory. They then used a combination of three toxic drugs to destroy each patient's immune system before transplanting the cleaned up stem cells in to the body. ''There were some fairly profound and wonderful changes that some of them experienced,'' said Freedman ''some people hadn't walked and started walking. Some people who had lost their vision were seeing. More than half the patients returned to gainful employment, maintained their relationship, got back their driver’s license.'' ''In some, however, the disease was progressing like a runaway train'', he said. ''They continue to get worse for a couple of years, but then their disease also stopped progressing. But nobody developed any new inflammation at all,'' he said their brain scans showed no new lesions.

For more information, please contact the WI self-help group at

grpspbo@videotron.ca or 514-676-1588. TOM

We arrived in London to find out our wheelchair was damaged during the flight. Air Transat replaced it with a new one. We stayed at a hotel near the Waterloo station. We visited the Globe, museums, did a night cruise on the Thames river, toured Parliament, did dinner and a show at Ronnie Scott's jazz club, toured the Tower of London aBorka & Brian's European vacaynd ate at many many pubs. Fish and chips, bangers and mash, meat pies and beers and ales. We found London to be wheelchair friendly in most places and the London taxis are the best. We took the Eurostar train to Paris. After settling in our hotel room we went out to find a cafe to eat. Duck and wine was the choice on our first night in Paris. We visited the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame Cathedral, Palais de Versailles, the Moulin Rouge on our anniversary, Eiffel Tower, Sacre Coeur Basilica. Our favorite area was Montmartre. Just like Old Montreal but better. In Montmartre we had dinner in a restaurant that served the best mojitos in Paris (recommended by a friend). We then went down the street to have a drink at a rooftop bar. What a wonderful view of Paris at night. Paris is wheelchair friendly in most places but there are a lot of cobblestones so it can be a bumpy ride. Our vacation was perfect with very few problems. Everyone was nice and friendly in both London and Paris.

Borka & Brian

Borka & Brian's

European

vacation

Greatings from LONDON

LONDON May 18, 2016

The 25th Espoir Famille conference will take place from October 28th to the 30th, 2016 at the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Lévis. The Espoir Famille congress offers people with MS, their spouses and their children the opportunity to meet other families affected by MS, to discuss with the participants the reality that unites them and to get them out of their isolation. Adults attend workshops and conferences and hear testimonials, while youth between 6 and 17 years participate in MS awareness workshops and discussions all while having fun. For more information, visit espoirfamillesp.ca or contact Mylène Huet at 514-849-7591, extension 2236, or 1-800-268-7582.

toured the Tower of London and ate at many many pubs. Fish and chips, bangers and mash, meat pies and beers and ales. We found London to be wheelchair friendly in most places and the London taxis are the best. We took the Eurostar train to Paris. After settling in our hotel room we went out to find a cafe to eat. Duck and wine was the choice on our first night in Paris. We visited the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame Cathedral, Palais de Versailles, the Moulin Rouge on our anniversary, Eiffel Tower, Sacre Coeur Basilica. Our favorite area was Montmartre. Just like Old Montreal but better. In Montmartre we had dinner in a restaurant that served the best mojitos in Paris (recommended by a friend). We then went down the street to have a drink at a rooftop bar. What a wonderful view of Paris at night. Paris is wheelchair friendly in most places but there are a lot of cobblestones so it can be a bumpy ride. Our vacation was perfect with very few problems. Everyone was nice and friendly in both London and Paris.

We arrived in London to find out our wheelchair was damaged during the flight. Air Transat replaced it with a new one. We stayed at a hotel near the Waterloo station. We visited the Globe, museums, did a night cruise on the Thames river, toured Parliament, did dinner and a show at Ronnie Scott's jazz club,

Borka & Brian

COME AND CELIBRATE WITH US THE 25TH ESPOIR FAMILLE CONGRESS! 28-30 October, 2016

.

P

.

COME CELEBRATE WITH US

THE 25TH CONGRÈS ESPOIR FAMILLE! OCTOBER 28 to 30, 2016 the Lévis Convention and Exhibition Centre

MS WALK SUNDAY, MAY 29TH 2016 Many thanks to Chris ‘’ Knuckles’’ Nilan our HONORARY PRESIDENT A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SPONSORS: IGA SUPERMARCHÉ DDO, STARBUCKS DDO, TIM HORTONS/POINTE-CLAIRE, P LE MARCHÉ/ PIERREFONDS, SANOFI-GENZYME, ADRIEN GAGNON, ADONIS, MAXI DORVAL, MAXI POINTE-CLAIRE, METRO POINTE-CLAIRE, CHEVALIERS DE COLOMB, A&W DDO, COPIE EXPRESS, BRASSERIE LA RÉSIDENCE, ST-VIATEUR BAGEL, GESTI MORVEST, VERGER COUILLARD, UNIPRIX DDO, DISCOUNT. THANK YOU KINDLY TO OUR COLLABORATORS: C.S. MARGUERITE BOURGEOYS, PHOTOGRAPH- BRIAN LITTLE, 94.7 HITS FM, CITY OF DOLLARD-DES-ORMEAUX. A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR NATIONAL PARTNER: AIR CANADA FOUNDATION. A HUGE THANK YOU GOES OUT TO ALL OF THOSE WHO WALKED AND TO THE VOLUNTEERS WHO CAME TO HELP. Grand total as of July 7th 2016: more than $ 105, 000 for the West Island! Winning team: WEST ISLAND ROADRUNNERS Who raised more than $ 19 209, 00 Top online fundraiser: Robin Little with $ 8, 179 Prize winners: Team Indig, Schneider Electric, B & J’S Angels, Miracle Drug!

MS WALK SUNDAY, MAY 29TH 2016 Many thanks to Chris ‘’ Knuckles’’ Nilan our HONORARY PRESIDENT

A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SPONSORS:

IGA SUPERMARCHÉ DDO, STARBUCKS DDO, TIM HORTONS/POINTE-CLAIRE, PROVIGO LE MARCHÉ/ PIERREFONDS, SANOFI-GENZYME, ADRIEN GAGNON, ADONIS, MAXI DORVAL, MAXI POINTE-CLAIRE, METRO POINTE-CLAIRE, CHEVALIERS DE COLOMB,

A&W DDO, COPIE EXPRESS, BRASSERIE LA RÉSIDENCE, ST-VIATEUR BAGEL, GESTION MORVEST, VERGER COUILLARD, UNIPRIX DDO, DISCOUNT.

THANK YOU KINDLY TO OUR COLLABORATORS: C.S. MARGUERITE BOURGEOYS, PHOTOGRAPH- BRIAN LITTLE, 94.7 HITS FM, CITY OF DOLLARD-DES-ORMEAUX.

A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR NATIONAL PARTNER: AIR CANADA FOUNDATION.

A HUGE THANK YOU GOES OUT TO ALL OF THOSE WHO WALKED AND TO THE MANY

VOLUNTEERS WHO CAME TO HELP. Grand total as of July 7th 2016: more than $105 000 for the West Island!

Winning team: WEST ISLAND ROADRUNNERS Who raised more than $ 19 209

Top online fundraiser: Robin Little with $ 8 179 Prize winners: Team Indig, Schneider Electric, B & J’S Angels, Miracle Drug!

May 28th, 2017 is the date to save on your calendars for next year’s walk!

Retro corner

Wheelchair dancing classes Arthur Murray dance school is offering wheelchair dancing classes. For more information please contact Christina Karavolas at 514-676-1588 or by email: christina.karavolas@scleroseenplaques.ca Take a look at the following link: http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=508590

Summer Vacation Our office will be closed from August 15th until the 19th. We will all be at camp Etincelle.

Caregivers Meeting Meetings every two to three months exclusively for caregivers. For more information, contact Christina or Nicole at 514-676-1588 or by email grpspbo@videotron.caor by mail at

Thank you Many thanks to Pharmaprix,

place de la triade in Pointe-Claire for their generous support

to our cause.

Notes:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Christine Boutros and the Antiochian Women of St-George Orthodox Church Donation

A very special thank you to Christine Boutros and the Antiochian Women of St-George Orthodox Church

for their generous contribution to the West Island MS Self-Help Group.

New Self-help group for young people

We would like to organize a young people’s Self-help group for those between the ages of 20-45. We will be having our first meeting in September. Please contact Christina Karavolas or Nicole Duchastel to register at 514-676-1588, or by email at christina.karavolas@scleroseenplaques.ca

Retro corner

This year we would like to congratulate Nicolas Brodbeck! Nicolas has volunteered with our group since 2007. Nicolas is always ready and willing to help our members weekly with their transports. If you are looking for him, all you need to do is follow his voice. He loves to sing to our members any chance he gets. THANK YOU Nicolas for always helping and making our members smile!

Volunteer of the year

July 10 B.B.Q Surrey from 11 to 3

July 11 No Monday Meeting

July 18 Monday Meeting

July 25 Monday Meeting

August 1 Monday Meeting

August 3 Ginger Petty 11 to 3

August 8 Monday Meeting

August 15 Departure for camp Étincelle

August 15 No Monday Meeting

August 19 Return from camp Étincelle

August 22 Monday Meeting

August 25 Rendez-vous A&W

August 29 Monday Meeting

September 5 No Monday Meeting, Labour day

September 12 Corn Roast

September 15 Aquafit Starts ( to be confirmed)

September 19 Monday Meeting

September 22 Aquafit

September 26 Monday Meeting

September 29 Aquafit

October 3 Monday Meeting

October 6 Aquafit

October 10 No Monday Meeting, Thanksgiving

October 13 Aquafit

October 17 Monday Meeting

October 20 Aquafit

October 24 Monday Meeting

October 27 Aquafit

October 28-30 Espoir Famille

October 31 Halloween theme lunch

November 3 Aquafit

November 7 Monday group

November 10 Aquafit

November 14 Monday Meeting

November 17 Aquafit

November 21 Monday Meeting

November 24 Aquafit

November 28 Monday Meeting

December 1 Aquafit

December 4 Christmas party 4 to 8

December 5 No Monday Meeting

Notes:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Aquafitness

Aquafitness classes are now offered every Thursday morning from 10:30-11:15 a.m. at the Civic Centre in Dollard-des-Ormeaux. The session will begin on September 15th 2016. Register for upcoming sessions by phone at: 514-676-1588 or by email at: Christina.Karavolas@ scleroseenplaques.ca

A & W A & W Day to ‘’Stop MS’’ will be held on Thursday, August 25th at participating A & W restaurants. For each Teen burger sold, $ 1, 00 will be donated to M.S.S.C. Hoping to see you at the A & W located at: 3351 Sources Blvd. in D.D.O. There will be fun, games, smiles and prizes!

Many thanks to

Borka Radovavovic, Tom Ramsay, Vaughn Bolduc, Nicole Duchastel,

Christina Karavolas and Michèle Paré