Fall 2010
Central Virginia Chapter 4200 Innslake Dr. Suite 301 Glen Allen, VA 23060 (804) 353-5008 www.moveVA.org Board of Directors Gregory Bishop- Chairman James Sok - Treasurer Frank N. Cowan - Chairman Elect Suzanne Gardner - Secretary Mark B. Hubbard - Chairman Emeritus Matthew Austin Jennifer L. D. Bittman Susan Bodin David H. Carminucci Sharon D. Hayes Mark Householder Tracey G. Jeter Ashley T. Johnson Glenn Nunziata
Dr. John M. O’Bannon John O’Connor Dr. Unsong Oh Ronald Powell, Jr. David Saunders Dr. Alan Shulman Alex H. Slaughter Kyle Yocom Gerald T. Zerkiin
Staff Sherri Ellis Chapter President - (804) 591-3030
Robert McKoy VP of Operations - (443) 641-1206
Judy Griffin Director of Development - (804) 591-3034
Kathryn Zapach Director of Programs & Services - (804) 591-3039
April Bass Relationship Manager - (804) 591-3038
Ashley Chapman VA Statewide Advocacy Manager - (804) 591-3048
Tiffany Epley Walk Coordinator - (804) 591-3036
Matt Gregory Systems Administrator - (804) 591-3041
Melanie Hofe Finance Assistance - (804) 591-3031
Diana Oakley Manager of Finance - (804) 591-3042
Grace Phillips Database Coordinator - (804) 591-3040
Linda Pretlow Executive Assistant - (804) 591-3037
From the Chapter President... Dear Friends, I think that I probably say this every year around this time but I cannot believe that it is fall once again!! Though I love nothing better then spending an afternoon in the sun, I believe that fall is truly my favorite time of year. It is exciting because the 25th Annual Dinner of Champions is right around the corner. Our budgeting process is complete and now begins the focus on our 2011-2015 strategic response. We can take a brief moment to celebrate the year’s accomplishments and look forward to capping it all off with our Annual Meeting November 16 at our new offices in Innsbrook. Of course, along with all of that, I love fall because of some of my outside passions; Florida Football! How will the Gators play this year? A question like that seems pretty inconsequential to the questions we ask ourselves at the Chapter as we plan for our future. Are we currently doing everything we can for people with MS? Are we meeting people at their crisis points? Have we really been able to engage those who want to do something about MS? Have we truly impacted legislation that will make a change? Are we bringing those who want to help us raise vital funds into our fold so they can have an impact on their friends and neighbors who live with MS? These are the questions that drive everything we do. I invite you to give us your feedback on how well we are answering those questions and challenges. As we finish 2010 and enter 2011, we want to hear directly from you; our clients, our donors, our volunteers and our friends.
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Individually we can move...together we are a movement. How do you want to join the movement? Warmly, Sherri
Walk MS: Tappahannock September 18th Total of 115 walkers Raised $24,000 for research, programs and services Walkers converged onto the beautiful river front streets of Tappahannock for the ninth annual Walk MS: Tappahannock presented by Sheltering Arms Rehabilitation Center. The Northern Neck, Middle Peninsula and surrounding communities walked in support of each other to find a cure for MS. Fundraising is not always easy, but it’s an important element to Walk MS because it helps raise crucial funds for MS research, programs and services. We raised 25% more than 2009. We thank you for your fundraising efforts. A special thank you goes to Dolly Loomis and Brennan Hutt for providing planning assistance and promotion of the walk. If you are interested in joining the walk committee for the 2011 Tappahannock Walk, please contact Tiffany Epley, Walk Coordinator at 804-591-3036 or tiffany.epley@nmss.org Our VIP’s Raised $500 or More Kevin Brown Libby Osborne Gretchen Brown Richard Osborne John Hutt Kristy Peyton Brennan Hutt Larry Pierson Heather Hutt Traci Poole Thomas Murphy
Our next Walk MS is Saturday October 2nd in Petersburg Presented by
HealthSouth - Petersburg
Edi’s Idiots walked for their 20th year and raised more than $10,000 for 2010
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All Self-Help Groups are different‌ how do you find the right one for you? The eleven self-help groups in Central Virginia are all unique. Each group offers members support through activities, guest speakers, informational sessions, and general conversation, while delivering the same message: You are not alone! The following two groups are smaller groups looking to increase membership. If you are looking to be a part of a group as it is establishing itself, then one of these groups could be right for you! In future issues of the MSConnection, look for more information about the other groups in our service area. The South Hill Empowerment Group, led by Starr, is open to anyone in the area surrounding South Hill. Starr is very knowledgeable when it comes to navigating life with MS and knows plenty of helpful area resources in Southside Virginia. She always has interesting topics for discussion at her group, as well as interactive activities. Starr is a strong advocate for her group members and will make you feel welcomed, as well as empowered. The Surry County Group, led by Stephanie, provides support and awareness in Surry and the surrounding counties. Stephanie is working hard to spread awareness about MS as well as ensure those living with MS are aware of community resources. Her group is upbeat and open to discussing whatever members have on their mind. Stephanie emphasizes that anyone is welcome to her group, not just residents from Surry. For meeting times, locations, and leader contact information, please see the Self-Help Group listing on the opposite page. If you need help locating the right self-help group for you, please contact Kathryn Zapach at (804) 591-3039.
Interested in forming a Caregiver Support Group? Call Kathryn for details on starting one! 4
Chesterfield The Positive Thinkers 3rd Thursday at 11:30am River City Diner (Shoppes at Bellgrade—Huguenot & Robious) Leaders: Claudia (804) 677-6445 Gail (804) 379-5493 Hanover County 4th Thursday from 7-8:30pm Commonwealth Wholesale, Inc. - 10085 Leadbetter Pl. Leader: Dana (804) 550-2280 (work) (Care Partners Group meets 2-4 times/year in conjunction with this group.) Petersburg Day Group 2nd Thursdays from 10-11:30am River View - 201 Epps St., Hopewell Leader: Melanie (804) 526-9129
Richmond 2nd Monday from 10:15-11:30am Tuckahoe YMCA 9211 Patterson Ave., Richmond Leader: Sherry (804) 562-9181 Richmond Evening Group 2nd Thursday from 7:15-8:30pm HealthSouth Rehab Hospital—Classroom 5700 Fitzhugh Ave., Richmond Open to Anyone with MS Leader: Lorenzo (804) 318-0360 Richmond (Virginia Home) For people with advanced stages of MS Every Monday at 11am 1101 Hampton St. Leader: Judy (804) 359-4093
South Hill Empowerment Group Petersburg Evening Group 3rd Wednesday from 5:30-7:30pm 3rd Thursdays from 6-8:00pm Please call before attending as dates may change Southside Regional Hospital - 3rd floor classroom Community Memorial Health Center Leader: Quennette (434) 246-6007 or 125 Buena Vista Circle (434) 731-9069 Leader: Starr (434) 378-2031 Fredericksburg Fred-Spotsy MS Support Group Surry County 3rd Tuesday from 7-8:30pm 2nd Thursday at 7pm Mary Washington Hospital - Classroom Hope Christian Alternative Leader: Candice (540) 623-4095 325 Banks St., Surry (Program locations and times vary, please call leader Leader: Stephanie (757) 267-2329 if planning to attend!) Tappahannock Neuromuscular Support 2nd Monday at 10:30am Call for location Leader: Pat (804) 443-9657 Leader: Margaret (804) 472-4781
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Programs Presented by
Where:
HealthSouth Fredericksburg 300 Park Hill Drive Fredericksburg, VA 22401
When:
October 12, 2010 at 6pm
Topic:
Assistive Technology for Increased Mobility Come learn more about what technology is available to help enhance your independence. Light refreshments will be provided.
Where:
HealthSouth Petersburg 95 Pinehill Boulevard Petersburg, VA 23805
When:
October 20, 2010 at 6pm
Topic:
Wellness and MS Join us to learn more about exercises you can do at home as well as strategies for keeping your mind and body healthy. Dinner with be provided.
Where:
HealthSouth Richmond 5700 Fitzhugh Avenue Richmond, VA 23226
When:
November 2, 2010 at 12:15pm
Topic:
MS Medication Management Spend your lunch hour navigating the specifics of MS disease modifying treatments as well as symptom management drugs. Lunch will be provided by Jason’s Deli.
All programs will be an hour long and are open to those with MS as well as their families. Please register with Kathryn at 804-591-3039 OR on our website at www.moveVA.org and click on the Community Calendar on our homepage! Thank you to the staff at HealthSouth for graciously providing these programs. Interested in other topics? Let us know so we can plan for future programs. 8
Newly Diagnosed Teleconference Series This teleconference series is a 3-part series occurring over 3 consecutive Thursdays in October. October 7: October 14: October 21:
MS 101 – Understanding MS Moving Past Your MS Diagnosis Employment/Disclosure for the Newly Diagnosed
You can participate in as many programs as you would like, but you must register separately for each program. All calls are free and you will receive the call-in information after registering. Please register with Kathryn at 804-591-3039 OR on our website at www.moveVA.org and click on the Community Calendar on our homepage.
Save the Date MS Family Day Sunday April 3rd Chester YMCA Be on the look out for more details. We hope to see you and your family there!
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ADVOCACY
New Health Care Provisions Implemented on September 23, 2010 Thursday, September 23, 2010 marked the six-month anniversary of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). Here are some of the key provisions that became effective at the six-month mark. Note that the actual effective date for some of the new rules will vary depending on when a health plan was initiated or renewed. Check with your benefits administrator or the Virginia Bureau of Insurance for more information about how the new protections affect your health coverage. The Virginia Bureau of Insurance can be reached at 1-800-552-7945 or bureauofinsurance@scc.virginia.gov. Children Insurers cannot deny coverage to children (under age 19) due to a pre-existing condition or special health care need.* Young adults can remain, join, or re-enroll in their parent’s health insurance plan until their 26th birthday, even if married or no longer living at home. Young adults who are already eligible for their own employer’s health coverage may not participate in a parent’s insurance plan. Patient protections and increased access to health care Insurers cannot rescind, or drop a person’s health care coverage when they get sick. New private insurance plans (that is, policies first initiated on or after September 23, 2010) are required to cover some preventative services, such as certain vaccines and screenings, without a deductible or co-payment.* Choice of primary care doctor is protected; women are allowed to go directly to their OB/GYN without a referral.* Insurers are prohibited from charging more for emergency care outside of a plan’s network.* Protection during catastrophic illness Health insurance companies can no longer place lifetime caps on coverage. Insurers can have annual coverage limits that are no lower than $750,000. This is the first step toward prohibiting any annual limits on essential benefits.* Medicare and the Donut Hole Older adults, who are enrolled in Medicare Part D and reach the donut hole this year, are being issued a $250 rebate to help cover costs of medication. Drugs prescribed to Part D enrollees in 2011 during their donut hole period will cost them 50% less.
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Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan People who have pre-existing conditions are able to purchase insurance plans from certain insurers through an insurance pool in their state. This is a temporary fix until the new law prevents all insurers from discriminating against people with pre-existing conditions in 2014. Understanding all of the nuances and provisions of the new health care reform bills can be difficult. Thus, the Central Virginia Chapter and the Hampton Roads Chapter are partnering to host an MS Activism Reception, to help you learn more about how the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will impact people with MS. Information about the reception will be posted on our Chapter website as soon as it is available. *Note: Some new insurance rules take effect when an insurer's plan year starts again on or after September 23, 2010. Some rules apply only to newly sold plans and not ‘grandfathered plans.’ A grandfathered plan is any existing health insurance plan or health insurance coverage in which a person was enrolled on or before March 23, 2010, the date the Patient Protection and Affordability Act was enacted.
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For more information about MS Advocacy in Virginia, email Ashley Chapman, the Virginia Statewide Advocacy Manager at ashley.chapman@nmss.org 12
The Golden Circle is recognition of annual campaign gifts of $1000 or more to the Central Virginia Chapter. Golden Circle members lead by example, making a powerful statement and demonstrating their commitment to the: CAUSE Restricting your gift to the Chapter's Greatest Need enables us to dedicate money where your local community needs it most. • CARE Restricting your gift to Local Programs and Services helps to fund client programs that provide critical knowledge and improve the lives of those with MS to ensure independence and to optimize quality of life. • CURE Restricting your gift to Research supports dedicated researchers who are seeking the cause, treatment and cure for MS. •
The Golden Circle provides invaluable assistance for more than 3,000 people with MS and their 7,500 family members and friends in Richmond, Chesterfield, the Tri-City Area, the Fredericksburg Region, Hanover and the Northern Neck. When you join the Golden Circle, your gift directly supports the MS community. Please put your compassion to work by ensuring that your name appears among the distinguished Golden Circle individuals, organizations, businesses and civic leaders. Golden Circle Sponsor ($10,000 - $49,000) Page Auto Group Rite Aid Foundation
Golden Circle Friend Golden Circle Leader ($5,000 - $9,999) ($2,500 - $4,999) Alexander Slaughter Frank N. Cowan Paul Carr Reed Schweickert Wanda G. Fauth Douglas N. Yocom William Urban, III Wachovia Foundation Golden Circle Member ($1,000 - $2,499) Matthew Austin Brian Gearing Glenn Nunziata Melissa Silver Anne Baird Dr. John Griffiths John R. O’Connor Beth & Ryan Smith Gregory Bishop Sharon D. Hayes Jeanne E. O’Grady James E. Sok Jennifer Bittmann Glenn Healey Shirley C. Olsson Marion & JK Timmons Robert Corbett Mark Householder Ray Paul, Jr. Richard Wheeler, Jr. Cheryl A. Formosa Mark B. Hubbard Phi Delta Theta Joan Wilton Suzanne Gardner Ashley T. Johnson Ronald Powell, Jr. Harvey D. Wright Janet J. Garzia Robin D. Kinser Ira Rosenfeld Kyle Yocom 13
4200 Innslake Dr., Suite 301 Glen Allen, VA 23060
You are invited to our 2010 Central Virginia Chapter of the National MS Society ANNUAL MEETING Tuesday, November 16th 6:00 to 7:30pm 4200 Innslake Dr. Glen Allen, VA 23060 (our new chapter offices) Meet Niki Swann - Ms. Wheelchair Virginia ♦ Learn about research updates from VCU ♦ Election of Board of Trustees*
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Light Refreshments will be served
*Nominations for the MS Board of Trustees are being accepted from our MS membership. If you are interested contact Sherri Ellis at 591-3030.