MS Connection, Jan/Feb 2008

MOVING TOWARD A WORLD FREE OF MS

January-February 2008

Volume 21 • Issue 1

Minnesota Chapter

We are MS activists

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our MS activism, big or small, can move us closer to a world free of multiple sclerosis. Activism can take place anytime, anywhere and can occur in all shapes and sizes. Just like MS changes from one person to the next, your activism is an individual reflection of what is important to you.

Nationwide, people affected by MS relentlessly advocate every day to advance federal, state and community policies and programs. Thousands are joining the movement and taking action.

You might see MS activists in orange around town or at the state Capitol. Many are individuals who live with MS. Some are friends and family members. Many are people who simply recognize their passion and ability to help move us closer to a world free of this disease.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Together we help raise awareness about MS issues. We share our personal stories. We ask

Note from the board News Page 3 Page 7

our elected officials to make positive changes that benefit people living with MS. MS activists speak up.

Hot issue in 2008 This year’s key proposal brings focus to the needs of family caregivers. Many of these “informal” caregivers provide health-related services that often go unrecognized in legislative discussions surrounding the costs of health care. Family caregivers saved continued on Page 14

I Joined the Movement Page 10

Events Page 11

Can you help us?

612-335-7900 / 1-800-582-5296 Publication of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Minnesota Chapter 200 12th Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN 55415 Chair Karen Larson Chapter President Maureen Reeder

Office supplies

Other supplies

n name badge labels

n hand soap

n folders/notebooks

n baby monitors

n three-ring, 1/2-inch

n turning sheets

blue or white binders

n shampoo/conditioner

Newsletter Editor Emily Wilson

Equipment

n Metro Mobility tickets

n 15-inch LCD monitor

n disposable cutting

E-mail editor@mssociety.org

n CDs/DVDs

Information provided by the society is based upon professional advice, published experience and expert opinion.

Information provided in response to questions does not constitute therapeutic recommendations or prescriptions.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society recommends that all questions and information be discussed with a personal physician. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is dedicated to ending the devastating effects of MS. Sponsorship of society programs or events does not connote that the National Multiple Sclerosis Society recognizes superiority in products or services provided by the sponsoring entity over other entities providing like or similar products or services.

To obtain an audio tape of MS Connection, call Timothy Holtz at the Minnesota Chapter. © 2007 National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Minnesota Chapter

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The Minnesota Chapter is always looking for in-kind donations. If you are able to donate any items on the list below, please call the Chapter.

JOIN THE MOVEMENT: nationalMSsociety.org

n DVD player

First aid supplies n cold packs n four-inch Ace wraps

boards, dish cloths and roasting tins n sharp kitchen knives n restaurant/store gift

certificates/giveaway prizes

n pill boxes (4xs/day)

Call for board candidates To propose a candidate to the chapter’s board of trustees, write to Susan A. Hagstrum, Ph.D., chair of the governance committee, by April 1. Mail nominations to 200 12th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55415. The committee will select the best-qualified candidates and present a slate of nominees at the MS Annual Convention. Nominees will not be taken at the meeting.

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. The National MS Society’s medical advisors recommend that people with MS talk with their health care professionals about using these medications and about effective strategies and treatments to manage symptoms. If you or someone you know has MS, please contact the society at www.nationalmssociety.org or 1-800-FIGHT-MS to learn more.

Note from the board Our movement must grow

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ome people might be discouraged about the lack of progress that has been made in finding a Karen Larson cure for MS. After all, MS Board Chair was first recognized as a distinct disease in 1868 and today we don’t have a cure and have limited treatment. But I don’t feel discouraged because virtually all of the progress in understanding and treating MS has taken place over the last 20 years. If we can move forward that fast in 20 years, who knows what the next 20 years will bring—or if we’ll even need that long to free the world of MS. My mother was diagnosed with MS 40 years ago. Today diagnosis is made by use of MRIs and spinal fluid analysis while 40 years ago it was based on the elimination of other possibilities.

Until 1993, there were no effective drug treatments for MS. Today there are six treatments that help alter the course of relapsing-remitting and secondary progressive MS. Today the National MS Society is a stronger, more integrated organization, reaching out with greater resources to help not only people with MS but their children and caregivers.

The Minnesota Chapter provides numerous family and youth programs so families today get the support they need as they live with MS. Nationally, the society has launched a new initiative called Fast Forward with a goal to dramatically increase the number of potential drugs in development for people with MS,

and increase the probability of effective new treatments reaching the people who need them.

All of these efforts give me hope that we’re headed in the right direction But while many things have changed for people with MS, what hasn’t changed is that people are still being diagnosed with the disease.

Around the time of my Mom’s diagnosis, my family had moved to a new neighborhood. Our new neighbors became her friends and support system. There were six women who looked out for her and offered her support during her life.

Two of those six women now have children with MS. As long as people are still being diagnosed, our movement must grow.

While my Mom had the unfortunate diagnosis of MS, she was extremely fortunate to have my dad as her caregiver. He stood by her and cared for her in our home until it was physically impossible to do so. But as long as we still need caregivers, our movement must grow.

While we’ve seen advances in research, disease treatment and quality of life for people with MS, it isn’t enough. It will only be enough when we no longer have a reason to meet and we can talk about MS like we do about polio – something from the past.

I thank you for the opportunity to serve as chair of the Minnesota Chapter Board of Trustees. I am ready and willing to serve all of you as we charge toward a world free of MS.

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NEWS BRIEFS

2007 Employer of the Year Awards The Minnesota Chapter is proud to announce its 2007 Employer of the Year Awardees: Pelican Valley Health Center in the category of companies with fewer than 100 employees and Educational Credit Management Corporation in the category of companies with more than 100 employees. The award recognizes employers that have made significant contributions in the hiring and retention of disabilities. The award also recognizes workers with multiple sclerosis and other employers for positive employment practices.

Society launches drug development initiative The National MS Society recently announced currently evaluating business proposals and the creation of Fast Forward, a technologyplans to make initial investments in early transfer initiative aimed at translating 2008. The initiative has already secured promising laboratory discoveries into $4.5 million of the $30 million it plans to effective new treatments for multiple raise during the next six years to fund the sclerosis. Fast Forward will identify, evaluate investments. and partner with start-up and existing companies to develop novel therapies LEARN MORE or repurpose existing drugs for the For more information about Fast Forward, treatment of MS. Fast Forward, a wholly visit www.fastforward.org. owned subsidiary of the society, is

MS Society, local business leaders recognized The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal’s 2007 ranking of the top 25 fundraising events (Nov. 23 issue) included the Minnesota Chapter’s Bike MS: Larkin Hoffman MS 150 ranked No. 2; Walk MS: Christopher & Banks Walk presented by Anchor Bank No. 4; Bike MS: Star Tribune TRAM No. 11; and Challenge Walk MS: Twin Cities No. 17.

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The journal also named Larry Schmid, CFO of Great River Energy and member of the Minnesota Chapter Board of Trustees, as CFO of the Year for large private companies, and recognized Bill Cook, CEO of Donaldson Co. Inc., in the Corporate Philanthropy section for his involvement with the Bike MS: Larkin Hoffman MS 150.

At the National MS Society, Minnesota Chapter’s Annual Convention, held Nov. 16 to 18 in Minneapolis, the chapter elected three new members to its board of trustees. The chapter welcomes the following new members:

David Chaikin David Chaikin, of Eden Prairie, Minn., is a former Marine who has completed two marathons. He was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1992. His recent retirement, after David Chaikin 25 years in the high tech electronics industry, has allowed him to become more involved with the chapter in a variety of ways. Chaikin serves on the chapter’s long term housing committee and the scholarship review committee. He also participates in the Mentor Program and Champions Against MS. Chaikin is a member of the chapter’s speakers bureau and represents the chapter as a Community Health Charities Campaign Ambassador.

Devon Washington Since moving to Minneapolis in 2006, Devon Washington has been an active volunteer with the Minnesota Chapter.

Washington’s mother was diagnosed with multiple Devon Washington sclerosis when he was a teenager. He provides leadership as the chapter’s Teen Council Mentor and serves on the chapter’s strategic planning task force, programs committee and the scholarship task force and review team, which helped to fund scholarships for 25 students affected by MS in 2007, totaling $55,000.

NEWS

Chapter elects three new board members William C. Gillispie, Jr. In addition to joining the Minnesota Chapter board, William C. Gillispie, Jr. of Minneapolis, joined the National MS Society board at this year’s National Conference in Dallas.

William C. Gillispie, Jr. Gillispie is corporate vice president of grocery, frozen, dairy, specialty and ethnic with SUPERVALU, Inc. Prior to joining the Minnesota Chapter board, Gillispie was a member of the Greater Illinois Chapter board, but continued to volunteer at local events and sponsor local event participants. Gillispie’s recruitment and creativity has led his Walk MS Team Gillispie to grow to more than 100 walkers from eight different states in 2007. In just eight years, Team Gillispie has raised more than $500,000.

2008 Minnesota Chapter Board of Trustees officer appointments: Karen Larson of Little Canada, Minn., elected chair; Michael Schrock of Orono, Minn., elected vice chair; Larry Schmid of Chaska, Minn., elected treasurer; Susan Hagstrum, Ph.D., of Minneapolis, elected secretary.

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NEWS

Hope Award given to longtime MS activist, leader

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t the National MS Society, Minnesota Chapter’s annual Sylvies awards dinner, Bill MacNally, of Blaine, Minn., was named the recipient of the Norman Cohn Hope Award, the most prestigious honor given by the Minnesota Chapter.

The award is presented to an MS Society volunteer who exhibits vision, extensive civic voluntary action and exemplifies hope for a world free of multiple sclerosis.

For 15 years, MacNally has been a leader, mentor and relentless advocate for people with MS and he has led the chapter in bold new directions to better meet the needs of all people affected by the disease.

After the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 was adopted, MacNally led the chapter to implement 10 Medicare Part D educational programs. In 2006 and 2007, he influenced

legislation to reduce prescription drug copayments. MacNally worked to cultivate a relationship with Congressman Jim Ramstad that led Ramstad to co-sponsor several society initiatives in recent years. MacNally actively Bill MacNally participates in programs and events and helped the chapter develop a critical assessment tool in identifying areas in need of improvement to ensure the chapter best meets the needs of people affected by MS.

MEET THE ELITE Read more about this year’s award winners on Pages 7 to 9.

Join the movement March 10 to 17 Last year during MS Awareness Week, the National MS Society encouraged you to join the movement to end MS. With your help, we were able to raise awareness across the chapter and nationwide. This year during MS Awareness Week March 10 to 17, we again invite you to join and engage others in the movement to end MS. During MS Awareness Week we will be alerting you to simple things you can do at home, work or in your community to spread awareness and help create a world free of MS. Contact the chapter to learn more or to share your ideas for MS Awareness Week activities.

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JOIN THE MOVEMENT: nationalMSsociety.org

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Look for these billboards in the Twin Cities metro area starting in January.

NEWS

Minnesota well-decorated after national conference The Minnesota Chapter, two chapter volunteers, a Bike MS team and a corporation all received awards at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Conference in Dallas, Oct. 24 to 26.

Cincoski named volunteer of the year Dr. Martha Cincoski was awarded the National Volunteer of the Year Award for her leadership and unfailing support in research advocacy. Diagnosed with Martha Cincoski, M.D. MS while working as a resident surgeon in the Navy, Cincoski has been a leading research advocate for more than eight years, helping all people affected

by MS understand the complex nature of the disease. Martha spearheaded a “Quality of Life” project and under her leadership the society provided more than $230,000 in grants in 2006 to local MS clinics. Cincoski also worked to make Kingsley Commons—the first-ever housing development in Minnesota designed specifically for people with MS—a reality.

A lifetime of service Reggie Walton was awarded a National Lifetime Achievement Award for his 36 years of service to the National MS Society.

His service includes volunteering for many years Reggie Walton at MS Camp and Bike MS. Walton helped initiate the chapter’s MS River Road Run Motorcycle Tour and has participated in the event since its inception, personally raising more than $7,000. In 2006, he had the idea to end the motorcycle tour at MS Camp— a hit among riders and campers alike.

Corporations recognized Also at the national conference, Christopher & Banks received the Shining Star Award, the top honor for a national corporate star, for its support of Walk MS and for its MS jewelry line launched in spring 2007. Also, Bike MS team NatureWorks/Cargill received a national team award for Greatest Fundraising Growth.

Minnesota Chapter representatives accepted a Million Dollar Milestone Award at the National Conference held in Dallas.

Chapter awarded for programs, fundraising The Minnesota Chapter was one of three finalists for the coveted Cavallo Award, an award given to chapters for providing outstanding programs and services for people living with MS and their families.

The chapter also received a Million Dollar Milestone award for raising $3 million on this year’s Bike MS events.

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VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers recognized at Sylvies The National MS Society, Minnesota Chapter depends on thousands of dedicated volunteers each year to help make its programs, services and events a reality. To recognize volunteers who have joined the movement to end MS in extraordinary ways, the chapter holds the Sylvies—an annual awards dinner named in honor of National MS Society founder Sylvia Lawry.

The 2007 Sylvies was held Saturday, Nov. 17, in conjunction with the MS Annual Convention in Minneapolis. To learn how you can become a Sylvies winner, contact Rachel Ring or Will Ziegenhagen, volunteer coordinators, at 612-335-7900 or 1-800-582-5296.

2007 volunteer Sylvie recipients National awards

Leadership All Stars

National Volunteer of the Year

Erin Weber

Martha Cincoski, M.D.

Kingsley Commons Task Force— Mavis Beck; LeRoy Bendickson; Martha Cincoski, M.D.; Cindy Gackle; Kerry Keller; Judy McLeod; Robert D. Miller; Jim Mulhern; Louann Replogle; Sandy Silver; and Judy Soderberg

National Lifetime Achievement Award Reggie Walton

Chapter awards Norman Cohn Hope Award Bill MacNally Chapter All Stars David Chaikin

Office All Stars

Pam Hieb

Ray Brigleb

Rookie All Stars Anne Hallgren Denise Watts Group All Stars Blaine Police Department Fergus Falls Star Tribune MS TRAM Committee Walman Optical

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Scholarship Task Force— Monica Dahl; Susan A. Hagstrum, Ph.D.; and Michael Schrock

JOIN THE MOVEMENT: nationalMSsociety.org

Kathy French Linda Gill Jeannean Klempka Joan Lewison Bill Rowe

VOLUNTEERS

Volunteer opportunities May 3-9 and Aug. 16-22, MS Camp Weeklong program for adults living with MS in Maple Lake, Minn. Volunteer nurses and cabin assistants needed.

May 4, Walk MS: Christopher & Banks Walk presented by Anchor Bank

National MS Society President and CEO Joyce Nelson (left) and Minnesota Chapter President Maureen Reeder (center) spoke with Anne Hallgren, Rookie Volunteer All Star award winner, during a reception held prior to the Sylvies awards show.

Chapter awards continued Programs All Stars Marge and Ray Berg

Walks held in 17 sites throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Volunteers needed for registration, set-up, route support, first aid and more.

May 10, Bike MS: Allianz Twin Cities Ride One-day bike ride. Starts and ends at the Maplewood Community Center. Volunteers needed to help with route support, registration, food services and more.

June 6-8, Bike MS: Larkin Hoffman MS 150 Ride

Special Events All Stars

Two-day bike ride from Proctor to the Twin Cities with an overnight at Grand Casino Hinckley. Volunteers needed at start and finish lines, rest stops, overnight sites and more.

Cortney Dahl

June 14-21, Youth Camp

Jim Daly

Help provide a fun, safe experience for youth as they play, learn and address issues related to MS in their families. Counselors, especially males, and nurses needed.

Margit Whitam Laura Winterstein

Jon Linde Youth Volunteer All Stars Sean and Ryan Scharlau Teen Council

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I JOINED THE MOVEMENT

Giving back in more ways than one “My gift is a way to help find the cure and support others who aren’t able to work.”

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hen St. Paul resident Jim Philippy—a pharmacist for more than 42 years—was diagnosed with primaryprogressive multiple sclerosis in 1995, he knew little about the disease or the National MS Society. But when a friend told him about the Christopher & Banks MS Walk, Philippy learned more about the MS Society and the variety of programs and services available through the Minnesota Chapter.

To help keep other people with MS moving forward, Philippy makes a generous donation each year, which allows the MS Society to continue to expand and improve valuable programs and services and help more people affected by the disease. Philippy is a member of the Minnesota Chapter’s Discovery Circle, which recognizes individuals and organizations who make annual financial contributions of $1,000 or more to the society.

Philippy feels his financial contributions to the society help those with MS who are unable to work, something he is still able to do. “In many respects I feel fortunate to be able to work full time,” Philippy said. “My gift is a way to help find the cure and support others who aren’t able to work.”

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Not only does he donate his financial resources to the MS Society, Philippy also donates his time as a volunteer. He works in the chapter office every Wednesday to help with a variety of projects.

Philippy also serves as a mentor to a Minnesota Jim Philippy Chapter scholarship recipient. Philippy said he enjoys working with college students and also serves as a mentor to pharmacy students attending the University of Minnesota—Twin Cities.

As an MS Society donor and volunteer, Philippy feels very strongly about the value of the MS Society. “When a person is first diagnosed with MS, it can be very traumatic. You will have many questions and might be unsure where to get the answers. The MS Society can be a big help,” he said.

Philippy also wants people to know that the MS Society is not just funding research, but providing practical assistance on a daily basis to help people manage their MS and cope with the challenges it presents.

For more information about becoming a Discovery Circle member, contact Shannon Wolkerstorfer at 612-335-7928 or swolkerstorfer@ mssociety.org.

EVENTS

2008 events When you join a Walk MS, Bike MS or other MS event, you become a part of the powerful movement that will end MS forever.

The National MS Society

believes that moving is not just something you can or can’t do, but rather is who you are. This is why we sponsor events like Walk MS and Bike MS—to raise funds for research, as well as comprehensive programs and services for people with MS —moving closer to a world free of MS.

Walk MS: Christopher & Banks Walk presented by Anchor Bank May 4, 2008 Walk in 17 cities statewide.

Challenge Walk MS: Twin Cities Sept. 12–14, 2008 Three-day, 50-mile walk in the Twin Cities.

Bike MS: Allianz Twin Cities Ride May 10, 2008 Choose a 30-or 60-mile route featuring the Gateway trail.

Bike MS: Larkin Hoffman MS 150 Ride June 6–8, 2008 150-mile bike ride from Duluth to the Twin Cities.

Bike MS: Star Tribune The Ride Across Minnesota July 20–25, 2008 Ride through Minnesota’s Iron Range and North Shore.

MS River Road Run Aug. 16–17, 2008 Weekend motorcycle tour.

MS Sno Rally Feb. 21–24, 2008 Three-day snowmobile event in Grand Rapids.

To learn more, talk to an MS staff member today, visit www.MSsociety.org, or call 1-800-FIGHT-MS.

Women Against MS Aug. 7, 2008 Benefit luncheon and silent auction at the Depot in Minneapolis with keynote speaker Sue Thomas.

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RESEARCH

Study Finds Evidence of Epstein-Barr Virus in Multiple Sclerosis Brain Tissues Investigators have reported finding traces of Epstein-Barr virus in postmortem brains examined from people with different forms of MS. They found the traces of EBV infection in immune cells (B cells and plasma cells) that had infiltrated the brain in 21 out of 22 brains from people with MS, but not in brains from people who had other neurological diseases that, like MS, involve inflammation.

If these exciting findings are confirmed by other laboratories, they add to growing evidence of a link between EBV and MS. However, it is not possible through this study to determine whether EBV causes MS, or whether its presence is a consequence of MS. “These results are very intriguing,” said Dr. John R. Richert, executive vice president of research and clinical programs at the National MS Society. “While they don’t prove that EBV causes MS, they add to a growing body of evidence pointing to EBV as a culprit. If confirmed, then research aimed at understanding how EBV interacts with the immune system in MS will be key.

Furthermore, finding ways to treat EBV infection and developing an EBV vaccine would become of paramount importance in our efforts, both because these measures may represent the major means of determining if EBV plays a causative role in MS, and also because of their potential to treat or prevent the disease.”

Eye Scanning Device Detects MS Nervous System Damage Using a new machine called an optical coherence tomography scanner, or OCT, investigators have reported that thinning of the nerve layer at the back of the eye echoes evidence of brain shrinkage in MS, detected with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The study, funded by the National MS Society’s Promise: 2010 initiative on Nervous System Repair and Protection, suggests that OCT may detect global information about disease progression in the brains of people with MS, and may ultimately prove useful for measuring the success of clinical trials aiming to protect or repair the nervous system.

“This is just one example of the important progress being made by more than 50 investigators collaborating in our Nervous System Repair and Protection initiative,” said John R. Richert, MD, Executive Vice President of the society’s research and clinical programs.

“The goal is to pave the way for clinical testing of therapies to protect and restore function in people with MS; I’m happy to say that the pace of this vital endeavor is accelerating.”

Dr. Jonathan Calkwood of the Schapiro Center for Multiple Sclerosis in Golden Valley, Minn., is a Neuro-Ophthalmology specialist and is using an OCT.

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or the past year, the society and thousands of MS activists have been aggressively pursuing a new avenue of federal funding for MS research: Legislation that would designate $15 million for MS research through the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) at the Department of Defense.

Unfortunately, the bill that passed in the House on Aug. 5, 2007, did not include funding for MS research. But MS activists did not give up.

In late September, Congressman John Murtha (D, Pennsylvania) finally agreed to fight for at least $10 million for MS research during the conference committee, which came after the Senate voted on the bill.

When the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee approved their FY 2008 spending in mid-September, the bill included language to support MS research. Even though it was not in the program we requested, it will provide a new avenue for funding. We will continue pursuing CDMRP.

About the funds The CDMRP provides funding for research through the Department of Defense as directed by members of Congress. Activists believe that MS research would be an appropriate target of these funds: A study

RESEARCH

The push for new MS research funding

published in 2004 identified more than 5,000 cases of MS among veterans that were deemed “service-connected.”

In late 2006, the society began a nationwide petition drive urging Congress to support funding for MS research through the CDMRP. The petition garnered more than 100,000 signatures.

In March 2007, MS activists who attended the annual MS Public Policy Conference in Washington, DC, brought the issue to Capitol Hill in person.

WHAT’S NEXT For the latest, go to msactivist.blogspot.com, and to learn how to help, join the movement at nationalmssociety.org/advocacy.

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ADVOCACY

FROM PAGE 1 the U.S. economy an estimated $350 billion in 2006. In 2008 the society will champion a bill proposing a $1,200 tax credit per year for caregivers.

What can you do?

This two-day event is for anyone affected by MS. Participants will have the opportunity to educate state leaders about MS issues by sharing their personal stories with their state senators and representatives as well as meet and network with others affected

by MS.

LIVING WITH MS

To kick off MS Awareness Week, March 10 to 16, the Minnesota Chapter will hold the 2008 In order to see solutions in 2008, Capitol Conference March 10 the Minnesota Chapter needs Darlene Larson shows and 11 at the State Capitol in how she makes her mark every MS activist to speak up.

St. Paul. The conference is open against MS. If you are interested in joining the to all MS activists throughout movement as an MS activist, bring your family the state. There is no fee to attend this and friends and join us at this year’s Capitol program and the MS Society will provide Conference. To register, contact Kari Harju at transportation and lodging for participants 1-800-582-5296 or kharju@mssociety.org. coming from outside the seven-county To view the agenda, find issue updates or metro area. Participants will be asked to register online, visit www.mssociety.org. share their personal stories.

Taming work stress Having any chronic illness increases stress.

Multiple sclerosis is no exception. Dealing with work-related stress can often increase stress levels. When dealing with stress at work, here are a few things to keep in mind.

• Take a short break right at your desk.

• Mute the phone and the computer.

• Take off your glasses if you wear them.

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• To help slow down your mind, inhale while thinking the word “peace,” then exhale to the word “tension.” Even five minutes of quiet breathing can bring some relief.

For more ideas, view the Taming Stress brochure at nationalmssociety.org/ TamingStress.

Wellness Conference, St. Paul

Jan. 25–27

Care Partner Getaway, Plymouth

Feb. 2

Moving Forward, Rochester

Feb. 8–10

Men’s Getaway, Alexandria

Feb. 21–24

MS Sno Rally Snowmobile Tour, Grand Rapids

Feb. 23

Women’s Conference, Plymouth

March 1

Fitness and MS, Hudson, Wis.

March 10–11 Capital Conference, St. Paul March 10–19 MS Awareness Week March 8

Moving Forward, St. Paul

Telephone consultations * Telephone consultations are free and by appointment only

CALENDAR

Jan. 19

For information or to register Programs Contact registration line: 612-335-7970 Telephone consultations Contact Sarah or Heather: 612-335-7900 Walk, bike and motorsport events Contact Erin: 612-335-7950

Family attorney consultations Rod Jensen, attorney at law Jan. 15 and Feb. 19 Employment consultations Jennifer Johnson, tips on interviewing, resumes and more Jan. 24, Feb. 7, Feb. 21 and March 6 Employment discrimination/private disability consultations Denise Tataryn, attorney at law Feb. 11 and March 10 Financial planning consultations John Robinson, C.F.P.®, financial advisor Dec. 10 and Jan. 14

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NEWS

2007 convention: humor, inspiration, entertainment

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Rain Pryor entertained attendees at the second-annual Caregiver Appreciation Dinner.

he MS Annual Convention, held Nov. 16 to 18 in Minneapolis, showcased keynote speakers comedian Jonathan Katz, actress and musician Rain Pryor, renowned researcher Dr. Ian Duncan and National MS Society President and CEO Joyce Nelson. The weekend included conferences for health professionals and self-help group facilitators and an inspirational Caregiver Appreciation Dinner.

During Saturday’s general sessions attendees learned the many ways the society is moving closer to a world free of MS and had the chance to visit more than 80 exhibitors showcasing products and services for people with disabilities. Another highlight was Saturday evening, when top volunteers, fundraisers, corporate partners and donors were recognized at the Sylvies awards show.

FREE MATTER FOR THE BLIND AND HANDICAPPED

200 12th Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN 554115-1255