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MS CONNECTION MOVING TOWARD A WORLD FREE OF MS | SUMMER 2012 CENTRAL VIRGINIA CHAPTER INSIDE THIS ISSUE WALK MS UPDATE STORY SPOTLIGHT BIKE MS SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS PAGE 3 PAGE 5 PAGE 8 PAGE 15 2012 MS SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS CHAPTER AWARDS CEREMONY CELEBRATES TOP WALK MS: RICHMOND FUNDRAISERS, VOLUNTEERS & EVENT SPONSORS On Thursday, June 7th, the Central Virginia Chap- ter held a special awards/ recognition ceremony to thank its top fundraising Walk MS: Richmond partic- ipants, its Walk MS and Bike MS sponsors and its event volunteers. It was a beautiful evening at the MS Innsbrook offices and clas- sic rock band, ALL IN, pro- vided a fun atmosphere for the ceremony. Guests were in high spirits as they were able to meet Chapter staff, mingle with other par- ticipants, and discuss their favorite aspects of the Richmond Walk. Walk MS is the rallying point of the MS movement, a commu- nity coming together to raise funds and celebrate hope for the future. The Chapter’s an- nual signature fundraising event is a chance for partici- pants to do something about MS NOW. This awards cere- mony was a way to honor and thank those members of the community who go above and beyond in the fight to end MS. A very spe- cial thank you and congratulations goes out to the Chapter’s top fundraisers! Tiany Epley presented Screens ‘n’ Suds with plaques for #2 Highest Fundraising Walk MS Team, Walk MS Sponsor & Bike MS Sponsor. Thank you and congrats Screens ‘n’ Suds! A big thank you to all of our participants, volunteers and sponsors! Without you, we wouldn’t have such successful events. We look forward to seeing you next year! Top 3 Individual Fundraisers Walk MS: Richmond 2012 #1 Doug Yocom, $9,300 #2 Karen Smith, $7,227 #3 Alexa Perkinson, $6,540 Top 3 Team Fundraisers Walk MS: Richmond 2012 #1 Team Yocom, $18,601 #2 Team Screens ‘n’ Suds, $9,456.28 #3 Hollier’s West End Walkers, $7,200

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Page 1: MS Connection Newsletter Summer 2012

MS CONNECTION MOVING TOWARD A WORLD FREE OF MS | SUMMER 2012

CENTRAL VIRGINIA CHAPTER

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

WALK MS UPDATE STORY SPOTLIGHT BIKE MS SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS PAGE 3 PAGE 5 PAGE 8 PAGE 15

2012 MS SCHOLARSHIP

WINNERS

CHAPTER AWARDS CEREMONY CELEBRATES TOP WALK MS: RICHMOND FUNDRAISERS, VOLUNTEERS & EVENT SPONSORS On Thursday, June 7th, the Central Virginia Chap-ter held a special awards/recognition ceremony to thank its top fundraising Walk MS: Richmond partic-ipants, its Walk MS and Bike MS sponsors and its event volunteers. It was a beautiful evening at the MS Innsbrook offices and clas-sic rock band, ALL IN, pro-vided a fun atmosphere for the ceremony. Guests were in high spirits as they were able to meet Chapter staff, mingle with other par-ticipants, and discuss their favorite aspects of the

Richmond Walk. Walk MS is the rallying point of the MS movement, a commu-nity coming together to raise funds and celebrate hope for the future. The Chapter’s an-nual signature fundraising event is a chance for partici-pants to do something about MS NOW. This awards cere-mony was a way to honor and thank those members of the community who go above and beyond in the fight to end MS. A very spe-

cial thank you and congratulations goes out to the Chapter’s top fundraisers!

Tiffany Epley presented Screens ‘n’ Suds with plaques for #2 Highest Fundraising Walk MS Team, Walk MS Sponsor & Bike MS Sponsor.  Thank you and congrats Screens ‘n’ Suds!  

A big thank you to all of our participants, volunteers and sponsors! Without you, we wouldn’t have such successful events. We look forward to seeing you next year!

Top 3 Individual Fundraisers Walk MS: Richmond 2012

#1 Doug Yocom, $9,300 #2 Karen Smith, $7,227 #3 Alexa Perkinson, $6,540

Top 3 Team Fundraisers Walk MS: Richmond 2012

#1 Team Yocom, $18,601 #2 Team Screens ‘n’ Suds, $9,456.28 #3 Hollier’s West End Walkers, $7,200

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MSCONNECTION Central Virginia Chapter 4200 Innslake Dr., Suite 301 Glen Allen, VA 23060 804.353.5008 Www.moveVA.org

BOARD OF TRUSTEES Chairman: Gregory R. Bishop Chairman Elect: Frank N. Cowan Treasurer: James E. Sok Secretary: Suzanne L. Gardner

Matthew Austin Unsong Oh, MD Sharon Barcalow David Saunders Jennifer L.D. Bittmann Richard Schoepke Susan Bodin Daniel B. Shoop David Carminucci Alan Shulman, MD Sharon D. Hayes Alexander H. Slaughter Mark Householder Robert A. Vallejo Ashley Johnson James VanNess Glenn Nunziata Philip J. Wallin John O’Bannon, MD Kyle Yocom John O’Connor Gerald Zerkin

STAFF Sherri Ellis Chapter President - (804) 591-3030 Robert McKoy VP of Operations - (443) 641-1206 Kathryn Zapach Director of Programs & Services - (804) 591-3039 Tiffany Epley Development Manager - (804) 591-3036 Linda Pretlow Volunteer & Administrative Manager - (804) 591-3037 Jessica Ramirez Community Outreach Coordinator - (804) 591-3038 Matt Gregory Systems Administrator - (804) 591-3041 Deborah Richards Development Events Coordinator- (804) 591-3034 Christian Tiller Development Team Coordinator- (804) 591-3035 Diana Oakley Manager of Finance - (804) 591-3042 Melanie Hofe Finance Assistance - (804) 591-3031 Ashley Chapman VA Statewide Advocacy Manager - (804) 591-3048 * Please Note: these are direct phone numbers for staff. The Main Office phone number is still (804) 353-5008 or 1-800-FIGHT MS.

If you or Someone You Know Has MS… Studies show that early and ongoing treatment with an FDA approved therapy can reduce future disease activity and improve quality of life for many people with Multiple Sclerosis. Talk to your Health care professional or contact the National MS Society at www.MoveVA.org or try our office phone at (804) 353-5008 to learn about ways to help manage Multiple Sclerosis and about current research that may one day reveal a cure.

FROM YOUR CHAPTER STAFF

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO TO HELP US

MOVE TOGETHER TOWARD A WORLD FREE OF MULTIPLE

SCLEROSIS!

MS STOPS PEOPLE FROM MOVING. WE

EXIST TO MAKE SURE IT DOESN’T.

Pictured from left to right:  Diana Oakley, Sherri Ellis, Linda Pretlow, Matt Gregory, Deborah Richards, Daniel Leigher, Tiffany Epley, Christian Tiller, Jessica Ramirez and Kathryn Zapach 

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2012 WALK SEASON

Thank you to all of our walkers and volunteers who joined us for a great Spring 2012 walk season!

Our Richmond Walk which was in Innsbrook had 1,507 walkers and raised

$178,245.76!

WALK MS: RICHMOND Saturday, April 21, 2012

WALK MS: FREDERICKSBURG Saturday, April 28, 2012 Our Fredericksburg Walk presented by HealthSouth which was at James Monroe

High School had 515 walkers and raised $63,640.62

Way to go walkers, volunteers & sponsors -thank you for your hard work! See you next year!

But we’re not done yet! Our fall Walks are coming up in Tappahannock and Petersburg.

Walk MS: Tappahannock Walk MS: Petersburg

September 15, 2012 October 13, 2012 Tappahannock Memorial Historic Old Towne United Methodist Church Petersburg

Be sure to register and start fundraising today at

www.iwalkforMS.org

Questions or need more details? Contact Deborah Richards at

804.591.3034 or [email protected]

BE BOLD! Volunteer at the walks or at other chapter events. To learn about the oppor-tunities available, contact Linda Pretlow at 804.591.3037 or [email protected]

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HONORED LEADERS OF THE CAMPAIGN RAISED $10,465 FOR THE CEN-TRAL VIRGINIA CHAPTER The 2012 Corporate Achievers Campaign, formal-ly known as the Leadership Class, kicked-off on March 20

th. Held in the Greater Fredericksburg

Region, the campaign recognizes top business and community leaders. This dynamic eight week pro-gram challenged honorees to raise a minimum of $1,500 for the Central Virginia Chapter. This year’s honorees raised a total of $10,465 to apply towards critical MS research, chapter programs and client services.

A BIG THANK YOU TO THE 2012 HONOREES FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK! : Donna Street - $4260 Jimmy Franklin - $2575 Megan Bergen - $1505 Angela Tsai $1475 Don Bowler - $650

Thank you to our presenting sponsor:

Page 5: MS Connection Newsletter Summer 2012

STORY SPOTLIGHT WHY DID I JOIN THE MOVEMENT?

MATT GREGORY, SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR

Central Virginia Chapter of the National MS Society I have been a virtual rider in the Bike MS event on Team BRUCE (Bikers Ride Until a Cure Ex-ists) for the last 2 years, raising over $1,300 each year. I wanted to make a difference for my parents and for everyone else who lives with MS.

I enjoy telling the story of how I joined Team BRUCE. During the Bike MS of 2010, word got to several Team BRUCE members that due to my own physical disability I had never ridden a bike. Built for Bruce Lowery, a team member who has MS, team members had modified a bike so that it could be attached to another bike and pulled along . So after they crossed the finish line in Williamsburg several team members helped me get on the modified bike, and they took me on my first bike ride, which ended with the cheers of on-lookers as we crossed the finish line. I

was very moved and honored that after riding 75 miles on a bicycle they went one more mile pulling me along, and al-lowing me to experience what it feels like to ride a bike. That inspired me to join Team BRUCE in raising the critical funds and awareness that we need to end MS forever.

I ‘ride’ and will continue to ‘ride’ for my parents, who both have to face the chal-lenges of living with MS, for my co-workers and their family members who are af-fected by MS, for Bruce Lowery, the heart & soul of Team BRUCE, and for a day when MS no longer exists.

I still have not reached my goal of $2,000 for 2012. If you would like to donate please visit my website: http://main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/MattGregory.

CHERYL ROSSER, ADVOCACY COORDINATOR & CHAPTER VOLUNTEER

Central Virginia Chapter of the National MS Society I had been passively involved in the MS movement since 1994, the year my husband was diagnosed with MS. However, over the years our children insisted that we take a more active role in this battle, as they were watching us become more and more frustrated with the unpredictability of MS. So we started moving and hence, MS Walk Team “Operation Rescue Dad” was born. Participating in the MS Walk once a year just didn’t seem like enough, so I contacted the local MS chapter to become more active all year. Volunteering as an Advocacy Coordinator has been extremely rewarding because I am totally “plugged in” to a cause that needs constant energy to persevere some of the most unpredictable “short circuits” and “power outages”.

Meeting with the legislators and discussing the issues that are so para-mount to bringing awareness to MS allows me to see the importance of being actively engaged. It means an enormous amount for me and my family to see all the work that goes into the fight for the cure of MS up close. It is important not only for the person living with MS to keep mov-ing but also the family and friends because sometimes we feel so exhaust-ed and want to stop moving as well. I joined the movement for none other than my wonderful husband, because it makes him very happy to see me give so much of myself to fight for a world free of MS!!!

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Proud Sponsor of Walk MS

As a My Solutions member you will:

Stay connected with other members everyday on our Facebook page, Share thoughts and participate in weekly discussion topics, Learn about MS related events happening in our area; and Develop new relationships, and make friends who, just like you, understand the dai-

ly challenges of being young with a Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis.

For more information about My Solutions or to sign up, visit: http://bit.ly/MySolutions or contact Jessica Ramirez at 804.591.3038 or [email protected].

The Central Virginia Chapter’s newest support group for people living with MS in their 20’s and 30’s!!

(PLEASE NOTE: This is a special group designed for younger adults under forty years of age. All participants will be screened by Chapter staff prior to full registration to ensure they comply with the age requirements.)

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A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR BIKE: MS PRESENTING SPONSOR !

They provide a wide variety of models to fit any style or budget.

Let the friendly staff at one of their dealerships help you drive

away in a beautiful new car!

2 Days, 30 Miles Join us for the 10th Anniversary Capital Challenge Walk MS presented by Secor Group on Sept. 22-23, 2012 For more information & to register visit: www.moveVA.org and click on the Challenge Walk Button.

Page 8: MS Connection Newsletter Summer 2012

This year’s Bike MS was held on June 2-3. With just over 500 riders and two beautiful days of riding, the event was extremely successful. Rid-ers had the opportunity to choose a two day route from Richmond to Williamsburg, or a shorter, one-day route around Richmond. We had an incredible turnout of teams for our bike event, including Capital Ale House, Team BRUCE, Team Rim Rid-ers, and Team Unknown Yellow, just to name a few. Local television sta-tion, CBS 6—which had three em-ployees ride in this year’s event, An-chor and Reporter Lorenzo Hall, Pro-ducer Pierce Sharpe and Master Con-trol Operator Eric Lee—broadcasted the live kick-off countdown on its morning news television show. There were men and women of all ages, abil-ity levels and reasons for riding at the start line. Isaac San Soucie, the team captain for Team Hot Buttered Buns, is only fourteen years old

and the 2012 ride marked his second year riding. He raised $1275 and reached Thousandaire status in hon-or of his mother who has been diag-nosed with MS. Many of the Bike MS participants have ridden for multiple years. Ow-en Lindauer, a member of the Capital Ale team, has been riding for Bike MS for fifteen years, five of which were at Bike MS: Ride Virgin-ia. Owen’s love of riding was apparent because he rode the whole route with a toy bike taped to his helmet—a fun sight for everyone! With all of your help and support, Bike MS: Ride Virginia has grown to be a popular and fun bike event in the area. We’d like to extend a big thank you to all of our sponsors: The Page Auto Group, Screens ‘n’ Suds, UPS, Miles of Scarves, Ernst and Young, EMD Serono, Agee’s Bicycles, Diamond Springs, City Ice, SCVNGR, Conte’s Bicycles and Fitness Equip-ment, DJ Eric Lee, Red Robin, Ad-vanced Visual Production, and Man-chester Volunteer Rescue Squad.

There’s still time to donate for this year’s ride, visit www.irideforMS.org.

Interested in riding in next year’s BIKE MS: Ride Virginia? Sign up at www.ir ideforMS.org or ca l l 804.591.3041.

We raised a total of $374,284.72 and had 520 riders!

Top 5 Individual Fundraisers: 1. Mike Hull, $10,500 2. Jesse Raben, $9,212 3. Jonathan Coleman,

$7,100 4. Matthew Cheek,

$5,790 5. Ron Powell, $4,800

Top 5 Fundraising Teams: 1. Capital Ale House,

$50,945.48 2. Team Williams Mul-

len, $21,341 3. Team Coop $19,147 4. B&R Road Warriors,

$18,372 5. Team BRUCE,

$10,469

Top 3 Fundraising Teams based on amount raised per team member: 1. Team Coop, raising

$6,382.33 per cyclist 2. B&R Road Warriors,

raising $2,041.33 per cyclist

3. Team HCA raising $1,491.25 per cyclist

2012 BIKE MS: RIDE VIRGINIA

Isaac San Soucie

Owen Lindauer

Ready, Set, Go! The Bike MS riders start out with a bang on their way to the finish line in Williamsburg.

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Thank you to our presenting Bike MS sponsor:

Don’t just ride, Bike MS. BIKE MS: JUNE 1st & 2nd, 2013 Register today at irideforMS.org or CALL 804.591.3041

DID YOU HAVE FUN AT BIKE MS: 2012? REGISTER NOW FOR BIKE MS: 2013 AND SAVE ON THE

REGISTRATION FEE!

BIKE MS: 2012, A RIDER’S THOUGHTS… "During the MS charity ride, mile after mile, the wind blew. The dust, pollen and just the 15 mph force punished the eyes. I took medicine to fight off a cold, a stuffiness in the chest and back of my nose. The road itself created a buzz, numbing the hands, the feet, the crotch. There were mo-ments of blindness, pain, frustration, anticipa-tion of an end that is soon to come at a rest stop or hopefully the finish line. The agony of the day was ever present, some-times overwhelming, and always a part of the game. But, at no time did we quit. We know it is cliché, but... we can't quit, be-cause those suffering, those for whom the cause exists, can't. We cant quit until there is a finish to the suffering. Be-cause they, unlike us, don't have a rest stop, a finish line, a cold beer to look forward to. So, mile after mile, we move on. We think of every precious voluntary moment in pain, every dime

raised, every heart that opened in support, every person that either has or may succumb to the ill-nesses, the expense, the need for help. Mile after mile we think, how much more can we do? What else can be done to move

forward? Will the hurting stop? Today, for some, it did. For some others, it did not. And this is just one affliction. For me, this event meant something to me. For you, it may be something else. But

no matter the problem, we need to continue to do something to rid the world of pain. So, we can't quit. We must move on. We should keep going. No matter your cause. Until there is a fin-ish line. Until then, we can't quit." -Major Nelson, B&R Road Warriors

“BECAUSE THEY, UNLIKE US, DON’T HAVE A REST STOP, A FINISH LINE OR A COLD BEER

TO LOOK FORWARD TO.”

SUMMER SPECIAL PRICING! SUMMER SPECIAL PRICING! Pay only $35$35 to register for BIKE MS:

2013. Pricing is good until 9.3.2012

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Page 14: MS Connection Newsletter Summer 2012

MANAGEMENT AND REHABILITATION OF ADVANCED MS TELECONFERENCE

Wednesday, July 18, 2012 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Multiple sclerosis is a progressive disease for which no cure has yet been found. Although we have

treatments to manage the disease course, they are only partially effective, which means that some

people’s MS will worsen in spite of everything they and their doctors do to try and prevent it.

While researchers are working to identify new and better strategies to stop that progression, people

whose MS has become more disabling—and their family members and friends—need information

about how to manage the challenges they face.

Join us on this call as Dr. George Kraft provides a brief overview of advanced MS, current status of

research on the causes and treatments for progressing MS, and practical tools for symptom manage-

ment.

Guest Speaker: George H. Kraft, M.D., M.S.

•Director of the Western Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Center and Alvord Professor of MS Research

•Professor, Rehabilitation Medicine and Neurology at the University of Washington in Seattle

The registration deadline for this call is July 11th.

To register, visit our website www.moveVA.org

(click on the Calendar of Events)

or call 804-353-5008.

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What is a Teleconference?

A teleconference is an opportunity to learn new information by calling into a designated

toll-free number to hear an interactive presentation. You can ask questions or just listen to

the information. Best of all, you can do so from the privacy of your own home.

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2012 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

Since 2003, the Central Virginia Chapter has been awarding scholarships to highly qualified high school seniors who have a diagnosis of MS or a parent/guardian living with MS. We are proud to honor the following students for their academic efforts:

ELLYN ZEIDMAN, Henrico, VA Ellyn graduated from Henrico High School and was awarded $1,500.

KEITH HARBULA, Midlothian, VA Keith graduated from Midlo-thian High School and was awarded $2,000-Carrington Burgess Trust Scholarship.

HALEY SLAYBAUGH, Colonial Heights, VA Haley graduated from Colonial Heights High School and was awarded $1,500.

JAYLEN COTMAN, Providence Forge, VA Jaylen graduated from Charles City High School and was awarded $1,500.

KELLIE SLAYBAUGH, Colonial Heights, VA Kellie graduated from Colonial Heights High School and was awarded $1,500.

KENJERIA GADSON, Chester, VA Kenjeria graduated from Ma-toaca High School and was awarded $1,500.

BROOKE ATKINSON, Glen Allen, VA Brooke graduated from J.R. Tucker High School and was awarded $1,500.

HAILEE OLIVO, Glen Allen, VA Hailee graduated from J.R. Tuck-er High School and was awarded $2,000-Miles of Scarves Scholar-ship.

Congratulations Class of 2012! Interested in honoring someone with a 2013 scholarship? Contact Kathryn Zapach for more in-

formation ([email protected]).

NOT PICTURED: ASHTON HENLEY, Rockville, VA Ashton graduated from Patrick Henry High School and was awarded $1,500.

THOMAS BARLOW, Richmond, VA Thomas graduated from Godwin High School and was awarded $1,500.

Page 16: MS Connection Newsletter Summer 2012

BE INSPIRED BY OUR KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Zoe Koplowitz

More than two decades ago, Zoe Koplowitz completed her first

marathon. It started out as an attempt to salvage her life from the ravages of multiple sclerosis. To date, she has completed twenty- two marathons, all in last place and has set world records in New

York City, Boston and London. Women on the Move Networking Event in Richmond and Fredericksburg – August 2012, date TBA

To nominate someone for the Woman on the Move Award, please go to www.MoveVA.org to complete the nomi-nation form or contact Deborah Richards to request an application. For information on purchasing tickets or general questions about the event, contact:

Deborah Richards at 804.591.3034 or [email protected].

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Honoring local Women on the Move

We will recognize the achieve-ments of one woman who is Mov-ing their community forward in

Business and Community Service

Women on the Move Richmond Downtown Richmond Marriott Thursday September 20, 2012

Women on the Move Fredericksburg Fredericksburg Hotel & Conference Center Friday September 21, 2012

Join us for Our silent auction Delicious luncheon Inspirational Speaker Presentation of the Woman on

the Move Award Photo station for your favorite

“fun” shoes!

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Hanover Group 4th Thursday - 7-8:30pm Church of the Redeemer 8275 Meadowbridge Rd. Mechanicsville, VA 23116 Leader: Dana (804)550-2280 Petersburg Day Group 2nd Thursday - 10-11:30am River View - 201 Epps St. Hopewell Leader: Melanie (804)526-9129 Petersburg Evening Group 3rd Thursday - 6-8:00pm Southside Regional Hospital 3rd Floor Classroom Leader: Quennette (434) 246-6007 (804) 731-9069 Chesterfield Day Group 3rd Wednesday - 12-1pm Johnston-Willis Hospital Board Room Leaders: Sheila (804)739-8488 Sharon (804)794-7589

Surry County Group 2nd Thursday at 11am Hope Christian Alternative (325 Banks St., Surry) Leader: Stephanie (757)267-2329 South Hill Empowerment Group 3rd Wednesday - 5:30-7:30pm Community Memorial Health Ctr (125 Buena Vista Circle) Leader: Starr (434) 378-2031 Richmond Day Group 2nd Monday - 10:15-11:30am Tuckahoe YMCA (9211 Patterson Ave.) Leader: Barbara (804)747-0298 Richmond Evening Group 2nd Thursday - 7:15-8:30pm HealthSouth - Classroom 5700 Fitzhugh Ave. Leader: Lorenzo (804)921-9712

Richmond (VA Home) For people with advanced stages of MS Every Monday - 11am 1101 Hampton St. Leader: Judy (804)359-4093 Tappahannock Neuromuscular Support 2nd Monday - 10:30am Call for location Leaders:Margaret(804)472-4781 Pat (804)443-9657 The Invincibles 3rd Tuesday - 7-8:30pm HealthSouth-Fredericksburg (300 Park Hill Drive) Leader: Belinda (540)373-4377 My Solutions—Online, Facebook Support Group for Young Adults in their 20s & 30s To sign up, visit: http;//bit.ly/MySolutions or Contact Jessica at (804) 591-3038

Group times and locations may vary, so be sure to check with

group leaders prior to attending!

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World MS Day —May 30, 2012 Editor, Times-Dispatch: World MS Day is the only global campaign to bring attention and awareness to multiple scle-rosis (MS). On May 30th, events will be held throughout the world to highlight this year’s theme - Living with MS. Our goal is to bring at-tention to the disease by sharing the stories of those who are affected. There are 11,000+ faces of MS in Virginia. Dawn had to stop taking her MS medication because she could no longer afford it; Marlon had to move to a home that was near accessible transportation; Susan had to give up her dream job; Donna cares for her husband 24 hours a day without respite. These are our friends; our family; our neighbors; our fellow Virginians.

We know that MS destroys connections. It dis-connects the mind from the body and people from each other. But what if we could defy this disease with the very thing it seeks to destroy: Connections. Would we share more knowledge? More questions? More answers? More hope? Maybe, by connecting enough small victories, we could win some really big ones.

Help the National MS Society forge imperative connections by participating in an event hosted by your local chapter, donating money for re-search or sponsoring a program. You can also join our network of MS Activists and advocate for policies that improve the quality of life for people living with MS in the Commonwealth. Chances are someone you know is affected by this disease. By coming together as a communi-ty on May 30

th and throughout the year – we

can and we will make a difference. Learn more about World MS Day and share your story by visiting www.worldmsday.org. Connect at www.MSconnection.org

Ashley Chapman is the State Advocacy Manag-

er for the four Virginia Chapters of the National

MS Society. Follow her on Twitter @vaMScan.

Originally published in the May 29, 2012 issue

of the Richmond Times Dispatch

WORLD MS DAY-MAY 30, 2012 LETTER TO THE EDITOR

“BUT WHAT IF WE COULD DEFY THIS DISEASE WITH THE

VERY THING IT SEEKS TO DESTROY: CONNECTIONS.”

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National Day of Dance

Instructor: Kemel Patton Victory Lady Fitness Hip Hop Line Dance Instructor

Wear orange to help show support for the National MS Society!!

Saturday, July 28, 2012

FREE Dance Class 10:00 AM at Saxon Shoes at

Short Pump Town Center

SCHEDULE IN-DISTRICT VISITS TO ADVOCATE FOR MS THIS SUMMER

Advocate on behalf of people with MS and visit your legislators in their district offices this sum-mer!

Summer is the ideal time for MS Activists to set appointments with their elected officials and begin to forge important relationships. The 2012 regular session of the Virginia General Assembly has adjourned. However, our state legislators remain hard at work in their local offices – close to the constituents they serve. Likewise, our federal legislators will be in their district offices during their August recess.

We need YOU to participate in our summer in-district visit campaign. Join us as we meet with leg-islators to talk about MS and how it impacts the lives of Virginians. Your personal story may be the catalyst for change that improves the quality of life for people living with MS in our state and the nation. If you would like to represent the National MS Society and the Central Virginia Chapter during our in-district visit campaign, please contact Kathryn Zapach at [email protected] or (804) 591-3039. Kathryn can guide you through the process of setting up a visit, review the Na-tional MS Society’s priority issues and give you a list of talking points to help steer your conversa-tion.

Thank you for being an MS Activist and for keeping our advocacy efforts moving this summer!

Proud Sponsor of Women on the Move

Page 20: MS Connection Newsletter Summer 2012

4200 Innslake Dr., Suite 301 Glen Allen, VA 23060

www.moveVA.org

UPCOMING PROGRAMS & EVENTS

FRIDAY-SUNDAY, JULY 27-29 MS Kids Camp

AUGUST 2012 TBA 2012 Walk MS: Summer Stroll

AUGUST 2012 TBA Happy Hour Shockoe Shuffle

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 2012 Walk MS: Tappahannock

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 Women on the Move Luncheon: Richmond

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 Women on the Move Luncheon: Fredericksburg

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11 Dinner of Champions

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13 2012 Walk MS: Petersburg

To register for or to get more information about these or other

events, visit www.moveVA.org and click on the calendar.

Follow us on Facebook MSCentralVA Follow us on Twitter @MSCentralVA