South Okanagan-Similkameen MS Chapter August 2016 1

NEWSLETTER

Would you like to get

news from the MS Society

more often? Follow the

Multiple Sclerosis Society of

Canada on Facebook, and

sign up for our Chapter’s

e-News to stay updated

on events, seminars, and

other MS news in the

southern Okanagan region.

Sign up for e-News by

sending an email to bc-

penticton@mssociety.ca

In This Issue A & W Burgers to

Beat MS

Sip Savor and Cycle

Muck MS BC

MS Benefit Concert

MS Walk Photos

Pain B.C.

And much more!

MS Society South Okanagan - Similkameen Chapter Newsletter Summer 2016

South Okanagan - Similkameen Chapter Box 21125

Penticton BC, V2A 8K8 Telephone: 250-493-6564

South Okanagan-Similkameen MS Chapter August 2016 2

Sip, Savor and Cycle in the Okanagan

Grape Escape

Enjoy wine, food, and fantastic views all for a good cause!

The Scotiabank MS Bike – Okanagan Grape Escape is a two-day cycling

fundraiser that will have you traveling over 100km and sampling some of the

area’s finest exports.

Discover why the Okanagan is celebrated worldwide for its wine and fresh fruit

first hand as you bike through scenic Kelowna and West Kelowna.

By registering and collecting donations, you’re supporting the MS Society of

Canada’s mission to improve the lives of people living with multiple sclerosis.

Registration includes: a marked and mapped route; emergency bike mechanical

support; first aid support; rest stops with water, wine, and snacks; purchase

shuttle service (so you don’t have to carry your purchases); and breakfast and

lunch for two days. Participants are asked to raise a minimum of $350 in order to

participate, and cover the difference if this is not achieved by September 17th.

Your fundraising efforts could earn you rewards like an MS Bike jersey, shorts,

and gift cards. An invitation to attend and participate in the Tour of Champions

will also be awarded to participants who meet certain fundraising objectives.

While the prizes are attractive, nothing will be as rewarding as knowing you are

actively helping to end MS.

Cyclists of all abilities are welcome to join, and any bike is suitable for this ride.

The landscape of the Okanagan Valley can prove challenging at times, so some

experience is recommended. Our awesome volunteers have organized several

training rides and a guide to help you prepare for ride weekend.

If you’d prefer to ditch the two wheels for two legs, consider becoming a

volunteer. There are lots of opportunities to help out!

For more information about how to get involved in the Scotiabank MS Bike –

Okanagan Grape Escape contact Jillian Earl at 250-762-5850, toll free 1-800-

268-7582 ext. 7582 or jillian.earl@mssociety.ca.

SOUTH OKANAGAN-SIMILKAMEEN MS CHAPTER August 2016 2

MS Newsletter is

published by the

Multiple Sclerosis

Society of Canada,

South Okanagan /

Similkameen

Chapter.

We welcome your

submissions.

Editor: Jo-Ann MacDonald

Our Mission

To be a leader in

finding a cure for

multiple sclerosis

and enabling people

affected by MS to

enhance their

quality of life.

The MS Society of

Canada is an

independent,

voluntary health

agency and does not

approve, endorse or

recommend any

specific product or

therapy but provides

information to

assist individuals in

making their own

decisions.

South Okanagan-Similkameen MS Chapter August 2016 3 SOUTH OKANAGAN-SIMILKAMEEN MS CHAPTER August 2016 3

Team Muck MS BC

Here’s your chance to Muck the West Coast…

Seriously, the WHOLE West Coast!

For the 2016 season, we are happy to provide a

fundraising platform for muckers attending Mud

Runs in all areas of BC and the Yukon.

Register for any mud run of your choosing and then

create a fundraising page through Team Muck MS BC at www.teammuckmsbc.ca.

Muckers who raise our suggested minimum of $250, online and one week prior to their chosen

event, will have a Team Muck MS BC T-shirt sent to them!

If you’re in the Lower Mainland on August 16th 2016 you can join in Rugged Maniac at the

Cloverdale Fairgrounds, Surrey BC. Suggested heats for Team Muck MS BC’ers to run together

– 10:45am, 11:15am, 11:30am, or 11:45am.

At Ruggested Maniac, MS Society Staff will be on site at the Team Muck MS BC booth. Muck-

ers will be able to get before and after shots as well as t-shirts for top fundraisers! Use promo

code RUGGEDMS to receive the Team Muck MS BC $10 discount at Rugged Maniac. When

you register using this code, Rugged Maniac will also be donating $5 back to the Multiple Scle-

rosis Society!

In the Thompson-Okanagan Area - Sun Peaks will be hosting the Spartan Race on September

24th and 25th and The Freakin’ Farmer is happening in Oliver on September 24 th.

Find a full list of Muck events online at:

www.teammuckmsbc.ca

For more information please contact our Team Muck MS BC Coordinator

Taryn.Lencoe@mssociety.ca or 1-800-268-7582 ext. 7250.

South Okanagan-Similkameen MS Chapter August 2016 4

Friday October 7 - 7:30pm B&B for the MS Society at the Frank

Venables Theatre, 6100 Gala St, Oliver, BC

The Legendary Blues and Boogie Woogie piano

master Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne is hailed by

LIVING BLUES magazine as “an artist bringing the

piano back to the front ranks of contemporary

Blues.” This 2006 Juno Award winner was raised in

New Orleans and his powerful music recalls the era

when piano players like Fats Domino worked the

“strolls” in dozens of American cities. Resplendent in

one of his many multi-hued, French, custom-tailored

stage suits, he’s a throwback to the golden age of

classic rhythm and blues. Wayne is a soulful vocalist

and an electrifying performer - a cross between Fats

Domino and Professor Longhair.

This concert is sure to be a Wine Festival highlight

and all proceeds will go directly to the South Okanagan Similkameen Chapter of the MS Society.

Come early and enjoy a glass of Road 13 wine which will be available for purchase, or enjoy a glass

during intermission or after the concert when you can mingle with Kenny and his incredibly

talented band.

Opening the show is Oliver duo Corrie Adolph and Stephane Desilets, better known as Mountainview Drive. Stephane’s father died from complications of MS when he was a boy. This husband and wife group perform classic harmonies from the 1940s to the 1960’s and they will be accompanied by two other local musicians from the band Wined It Up.

All over North America and Europe, Kenny’s concerts sell out quickly, so buy your tickets early!

Tickets for Thrill on Blueberry Hill are $35 and are available at venablestheatre.ca, on the Wine Festival website, at Beyond Esthetics (6250 Main St, Oliver, BC), and by calling Corrie Adolph at 778-439-2276.”

MS Benefit Concert - Oliver BC

Thrill on Blueberry Hill A Fats Domino Musical Tribute Featuring

Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne and band.

South Okanagan-Similkameen MS Chapter August 2016 5 SOUTH OKANAGAN-SIMILKAMEEN MS CHAPTER August 2016 5

2016 Scotiabank MS Walk

Scotiabank MS Walk a Great

Success The Scotiabank MS Walk in Penticton on Sunday, May 15th was a great success. With 110 registered participants, and the sun shining, over $33,800 was raised for MS research, and programs and services to help people living with MS to improve their quality of life. A real highlight was walking along the beautiful lake shore. The incredible volunteers, and overwhelming team spirit really make the day something special. We want to send a big thank-you to everyone that supported the Scotiabank MS Walk this year: participants, donors, volunteers, and sponsors alike. If you would like to register now for the 2017 Scotiabank MS Walk you can at www.mswalks.ca. To see photos from the 2016 Penticton MS Walk please visit https://www.flickr.com/photos/mssociety_bcyukon/albums. Top Fundraiser was Gloria Vermeulen with $9,200. Top Team was Team Buy Low Foods Oliver/ Osoyoos with $9,200. Largest Team was Team MacDonald with 16 members.

South Okanagan-Similkameen MS Chapter August 2016 6

MS Wellness Session

Our next session will be on Thursday,

September 8th, 10:30 a.m. to noon in

Meeting Room 2 of the Penticton

Community Centre. Our guest speaker

will be a representative from the

Penticton & Area Access Society. The

society provides assistance with

problems with your landlord, income

assistance, disability applications,

employment insurance, abuse, food,

getting legal information, debts, family,

health and income taxes. For more

information, check out their website at:

https://accesscentre.org/

Penticton Community Center

SOUTH OKANAGAN-SIMILKAMEEN MS CHAPTER August 2016 6

Pain Related Distress: Recognition

and Appropriate Intervention Co-

Hosted by Pain BC & Canadian

Institute for Relief of Pain &

Disability

September 20, 2016 - 8:30am

PDT

Tamar Pincus, PhD-Professor in

Health Psychology, Royal Holloway,

University of London

Dr. Tamar Pincus will discuss new

research about the differences

between depression and pain-

related distress in people with

chronic pain. Register Now

Pain BC Website

For those with chronic pain, the

Pain BC is a great resource. https://

www.painbc.ca/ The Pain BC

toolbox has resources on many

topics such as getting help,

improving sleep, and pain

management. To access the tool kit,

click here.

South Okanagan-Similkameen MS Chapter August 2016 7

Upcoming webinars

SOUTH OKANAGAN-SIMILKAMEEN MS CHAPTER August 2016 7

Coping as a Caregiver: It takes

Brains, Heart and Courage

Wednesday August 24th 3:30 -4:30

pm PST

Coping as a caregiver for a

chronically ill family member can

be challenging physically and

mentally. The circumstances may

leave you as the family caregiver

feeling frustrated, overwhelmed,

buried deep, perhaps seeing no

way out. You may feel like

Dorothy did in the movie The

Wizard of Oz. She got swept away

from her home in a tornado,

having to cope with many

challenges on her quest to see the

Wizard so he could help her

return home. Throughout her

quest, Dorothy was losing hope she

would ever get home. As a family

caregiver you may feel hopeless

since your "home" is not as it once

was and will not be the same

again.

At the end of the movie, Dorothy

was told that she had the power all

along to get herself home. Dorothy

ended up using her own resources,

her ruby slippers and they got her

home. In this presentation, you

will be introduced to a means for

you, as a family caregiver to utilize

your own resources so you may

cope better and feel more at

"home".

To help improve coping ability,

you will gain insight into

Different styles of coping

Three elements of a strength-

enhancing coping regimen

1. The pivotal role that loss plays

in the care giving experience

2. A self-monitoring coping tool

for addressing loss and adversity

to apply in following the coping

regimen

3. For more information, or to

register, please click here

Anxiety in Others: Helping People Cope September 21, 2016 @ 400-5:30 pm (PST)

Experiencing occasional anxiety is a normal part of life.

However, people with anxiety disorders frequently have

intense, excessive and persistent worry and fear about

everyday situations. Often, anxiety disorders involve re-

peated episodes of sudden feelings of intense anxiety and

fear or terror that reach a peak within minutes (panic at-

tacks).

These feelings of anxiety and panic interfere with daily

activities, are difficult to control, are out of proportion to

the actual danger and can last a long time.

In this webinar, hosted by VHA Home HealthCare you

will discover:

How to recognize the signs of anxiety

The nature and causes of anxiety

Useful tools to help others manage their anxiety

Community resources you can tap into.

Link for more information or to register

October 11, 2016, 8 – 9:15 p.m. Eastern Time

Together in MS: Supporting Family and Friends of People

with MS

Presented by Rosalind Kalb, Ph.D &

Juliann Hanson-Zlatev, OTR

Multiple sclerosis not only affects the person with MS, but it also

impacts all those who care about and provide support for the

person living with the disease. Anyone in this important role

experiences a variety of emotions and concerns when adapting

to the challenges MS brings to their lives. This webinar will

provide a unique opportunity for support partners and the per-

son living with MS to adopt skills, strategies, and tools needed

to live together fully with this chronic, unpredictable dis-

ease. Read more and register.

South Okanagan-Similkameen MS Chapter August 2016 8

Disclosing Disability The Disability Alliance just released this excellent publication on

Disclosing Disability, for those thinking of disclosing their

disability to their employer.

http://www.disabilityalliancebc.org/docs/disclosureguide.pdf?

LanguageID=EN-US

SOUTH OKANAGAN-SIMILKAMEEN MS CHAPTER August 2016 8

Volunteer with the Friendly Visitor Program

The South Okanagan-

Similkameen Chapter will

be offering a Friendly

Visitor program, and we

are recruiting volunteers.

The program is designed

to help reduce social

isolation that people with

MS living in community

care facilities may be

experiencing.

Visits will take place at

various community care

facilities throughout the

S o u t h O k a n a g a n -

Simi lkameen region.

Following the completion

of a volunteer application,

and proper screening, the

volunteer will receive a

thorough Friendly Visiting

orientation. Once the

orientation is complete,

the volunteer will be

trained and matched with

a person with MS.

For more information,

please contact Sherry

Wezner, Programs and

Services Coordinator at

250-493-6564 or e-mail

sherry.wezner@mssociety.

ca

More webinars... November 8, 2016, 8 – 9:15 p.m. Eastern Time

Diet and Multiple Sclerosis: A Neurologist’s Perspective

The Paleolithic Diet. The Mediterranean Diet. The McDougall

Diet. The Swank Diet. With so many diets being promoted, it is

hard to fully understand each of their nutritional benefits, possi-

ble deficiencies, and effects on multiple sclerosis. In addition to

explaining the impacts that our diet has on MS and offering evi-

dence around some popular dietary strategies, Dr. Bhargava will

answer your questions and guide you to make healthy eating

choices that will benefit you and your MS!

Did you miss a previous webinar?

You can still watch it in our webinar archive!.

Pavan Bhargava, MD

South Okanagan-Similkameen MS Chapter August 2016 9

TENS Seen as Low Cost and Accessible Way to Ease

Spasticity in MS Patients by Özge Özkaya, PhD

SOUTH OKANAGAN-SIMILKAMEEN MS CHAPTER August 2016 9

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) might be an option to treat spasticity, one of the more common symptoms of

multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a literature review conducted by researchers from Universidad de Castilla la Mancha, Toledo,

and Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos de Toledo, both in Spain.

The study “Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for spasticity: A systematic review” was published in the Spanish scientific journal Neurologia.

Although it is difficult to assess and compare results obtained in different studies because of the great variability in the types of stimulation used, along with differences in parame-

ters and variables, TENS may still be a valid option to reduce spasticity and pain in multiple sclerosis thanks to its low cost, ease of use, and absence of adverse side effects, according to various reviews.

Direct experimental studies with appropriate controls may be required to objectively deter-mine the effectiveness of TENS in multiple sclerosis. In addition, it will be necessary to op-

timize the parameters to be used in order to obtain the best results.

Two independent researchers from the team led by Dr. Gómez-Soriano, director of the Physiotherapy Investigation Group, searched three well-known databases (PubMed,

Cochrane, and PEDro) for randomized clinical trials, published before May 2015, that addressed the effects of TENS on spasticity.

Although 96 studies were found, researchers were only able to analyze 10 of them because

the other 85 did not meet the inclusion criteria set by the team. The 10 articles selected in-cluded data from 207 patients who had a cerebrovascular accident — 84 of whom had mul-

tiple sclerosis, and 39 with spinal cord lesions.

The studies showed that TENS might be effective in reducing spasticity in all these cases.

“In light of our results, we recommend TENS as a treatment for spasticity,” the authors, Jordi Serrano-Muñoz, Juan Avendaño Coy, Julio Gómez-Soriano, and E. Fernández-Tenorio,

wrote.

TENS is a therapy that aims to relieve pain by delivering low-voltage electrical current to the body. It may be used to treat sudden (acute) pain, such as women going through la-

bor, or long-lasting chronic pain that can be caused by neurological conditions, such as multiple sclerosis.

The electrical signals delivered by TENS travel along nerve pathways and result in some people experiencing less pain. Previous research has shown that TENS might also help with spasticity in multiple sclerosis.

https://multiplesclerosisnewstoday.com/2016/08/03

South Okanagan-Similkameen MS Chapter August 2016 10

1421 - First documented case of MS: Lidwina of

Schiedam

1860- 1930’s - First studies of myelin and glial cells in

brain tissue, Discovery that myelin is produced by

oligodendrocyteglial cells.

- First correlation of MS clinical symptoms with central

nervous system pathology & attempts to treat MS.

1940 - 1980’s - National MS Society launched (US)

- Van Island MS Society launched

- Society funds first major survey of MS in the U.S. and

Canada

- Society-convened panel of experts develops precise

criteria for diagnosing MS

1981 - MRI first used to examine a person living with

MS

1990’s - Betaseron® Copaxone® Rebif® and Avonex®

approved by Health Canada

- Canadian researchers find gene linkage to MS

susceptibility

- Multiple Sclerosis Scientific Research Foundation

(MSSRF) funds Canadian Collaborative

Project on Genetic Susceptibility in MS

2004 - Link between vitamin D and the reduced risk of

MS identified

2008 - Dr. Paolo Zamboni identifies a possible

association between chronic cerebrospinal venous

insufficiency (CCSVI) and MS

2010 - MS Society and the National MS Society (USA)

commit over $2.4 million to support seven new research

projects focusing on CCSVI and its relationship to MS

- Nuedexta and Botox approved to treat specific

symptoms that interfere with quality of life in people

with MS

2011 - MSSRF funds a $3.8 million study on

progressive forms of MS

- MS Society funded study at the University of Alberta

discovers new MRI method that measures iron levels in

brain tissue to track disease progression

2012 - 2015

-Results from MS Society of Canada funded study

exploring CCSVI and MS in children

-MS Society supported study investigates relationship

between cannabis use and cognitive dysfunction in MS

-Health Canada approves Lemtrada™ for the

management of relapsing-remitting MS

-Researchers link continued smoking to accelerated

MS progression

For a complete detail time line go to http://

www.nationalmssociety.org/NationalMSSociety/

media/MSNationalFiles/Brochures/Timeline-of-

Research.pdf

Timeline on Research

South Okanagan-Similkameen MS Chapter August 2016 11 SOUTH OKANAGAN-SIMILKAMEEN MS CHAPTER August 2016 11

A Hello From Our New Development Coordinator!

By Jillian Earl

Hi! I’m Jill, and I’ve just taken on the role of development coordinator

for the Okanagan/South Okanagan.

One thing to know about me is that I’m terrible at introducing myself,

but I’ll try to cover the basics.

I’m originally from Brampton, ON and moved out west to follow my dream of being an

intrepid journalist. I worked in Dawson Creek, BC as a reporter for three years before be-

coming the development coordinator for the Fort St. John Hospital Foundation. What can

I say? My dream changed.

Like most people who I’ve met working in the non-profit world, fundraising was some-

thing that just happened to me. It’s incredibly infectious working with passionate people

devoted to making a difference, and have found that I really enjoy it.

The funny thing about fundraising is that it is maybe one of the only professions where

you are actively trying to work yourself out of job. The goal is to end MS, and once we

accomplish that I’ll be looking in the Classifieds, but until then, my work continues.

Fun Facts About Me:

I’m a big fan of a morning routine. I just recently started drinking coffee, and can’t be-

lieve what I’ve been missing out on! I’m a ‘list person’, and have been since I was a kid.

Back then, I’d even schedule myself to have fun every once in a while. I moved to Ke-

lowna in May. Sunscreen is my best friend, and I think it should be yours too. I love trav-

elling, but haven’t been to nearly enough places. My father’s name is Earl Earl. I’m not

kidding. I’m training to be a roller derby referee. I’m really excited to work for the MS

Society of Canada.

South Okanagan-Similkameen MS Chapter August 2016 12

Contact Us

South Okanagan

Similkameen Chapter

Box 21125 Penticton BC

V2A 8K8

(250) 493-6564

bc-penticton@mssociety.ca

Sherry Wezner

Programs & Services Coordina-

tor

sherry.wezner@mssociety.ca

Jill Earl

Development Coordinator

jillian.earl@mssociety.ca

SOUTH OKANAGAN-SIMILKAMEEN MS CHAPTER August 2016 12

UPCOMING EVENTS

August 25th - A & W Burgers to Beat

MS

Sept. 17th-18th-The Scotiabank MS

Bike Okanagan Grape Escape

Sept. 24th-25th Team Muck BC

October 7th-MS Benefit Concert Oliver,

B.C.

Remember to renew your membership for 2016

MS Society members can now

manage their membership through

an easy-to-use, secure account on

our website. You can check your

membership status, renew a

membership and update your contact

information.

A one-year membership is $10 and a

two-year membership is $18. Please

visit mssociety.ca/membership to

set up your membership account and

renew. If you do not have internet

access or require assistance setting

up your account, please call 1-866-

922-6065 x3100 or send an e-mail to

membership@mssociety.ca

South Okanagan - Similkameen Chapter Board of Directors

The Board of Directors takes on leadership roles to help in the planning and execution of committee work on behalf of the chapter.

To speak to the Board of Directors, please contact our office.

Chapter Chair

Roy Windeler

Treasurer

Franz Wagner

Secretary

Jo-Ann MacDonald

Directors

Lisa Schmuland

Corrie Adolph

Cindy Orr

Charlaine Samson