Every Connection Counts National MS Society Colorado-Wyoming Chapter
Get Connected.
Colorado-Wyoming Chapter
What is multiple sclerosis?
Chances are you know someone living with multiple sclerosis. We are here to help everyone affected by MS. 3 Education 4 Our Experts 5 Resources 6 Connect 7 Research
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that affects the central nervous system by disrupting the flow of information from the brain to the body. It has no known cause and no known cure. Symptoms vary from person to person, making it hard to diagnose. MS generally strikes in the prime of life—ages 20-50—and women are diagnosed with MS two to three times more often than men. Colorado and Wyoming have one of the highest incidences of MS in the nation.
About the Colorado-Wyoming Chapter We are a collective of passionate individuals who want to do something about MS now—to move together toward a world free of multiple sclerosis. Every year we help more than 100,000 people affected by MS in Colorado and Wyoming move their lives forward. We raise funds locally to support the Society’s cutting-edge research and to provide comprehensive programs and support services for people living with MS, their family members, friends, employers, caregivers and health care professionals.
MS stops people from moving. We exist to make sure it doesn’t.
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National MS Society Colorado-Wyoming Chapter
We offer a variety of programs to inform, educate and empower you.
Education
Empowering the MS community through education
We‘re committed to empowering you to live a healthy productive life. Our programs inform, educate and offer the support you need to live well with MS.
Community Programs, Workshops and Seminars: Meet experts in the field of multiple sclerosis, ask questions, make connections with your peers and empower yourself with knowledge. Teleconferences: Access new research, treatment options and resources without ever leaving home. Online Classes and Webinars: Classes and webinars when it’s convenient for you—live or recorded. Health and Wellness: Wellness and fitness classes to help you develop healthy habits and take greater control of your well-being.
I had tears in my eyes when I crossed the finish line at Walk MS this year! The walking poles you gave me allowed me to do the WHOLE three miles! I am going to suggest the walking poles class to my support group and plan to be there myself because I can’t wait to see what else they can teach me about my new walking poles!
- R.R. Care Management Client and Walk MS Participant
Find local programs and support services to fit your needs: cureMSco-wy.org 3
Answers, solutions, resources and referrals for people living with MS.
Our experts
Available at any stage for any need at any time
Our MS Navigators are experts in multiple sclerosis. They have answers, solutions, resources and referrals for people living with MS, their family members, friends, employers, caregivers and health care professionals. We are here for everyone affected by MS, whatever your situation, no matter how small your question or where you are in life. We are here to support you. Our MS Navigators are available to assist you at any stage with any need at any time.
Connecting you to resources: • • • • • •
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Newly diagnosed Community resources Secondary and Progressive MS Treatment options Current MS research Health care referrals
• • • • • •
Financial assistance Local social services Learning opportunities Emotional support Crisis counseling Advocacy and more!
MS Navigators are available for personalized assistance through our Information Resource Center Monday – Friday 7AM - 5PM (MST) National MS Society Colorado-Wyoming Chapter
1-800-FIGHT-MS (344-4867) Information. Education. Support.
Any stage. Any need. Any time.
Resources
Access to professional staff to help you along the way
Care Management: We will work with you to understand where you are now, where you want to be in the future, and how to get there. • • • • • • •
Financial Assistance: Let us connect you to the resources you need to stay independent, safe and healthy. • • • •
Insurance questions Social Security Disability applications Affordable adaptive equipment Home accessibility Planning for the future Employment support Caregiver respite
Healthcare Professionals: Resources and tools you can use. • Discipline-specific information with hyperlinks to journal citations • Updates on the latest treatment options • Fellowship and training opportunities with a calendar of continuing education events • Consultations • Quick access to information and research for patients
Are you a healthcare professional? Visit the MS Clinical Care Network
Temporary Home Care Durable Medical Equipment Physical or Occupational Therapy Evaluations Cooling devices and equipment
When I was overwhelmed by paperwork for disability, Medicaid and many other social service agencies, the National MS Society was there. They gave me my own social worker to guide me through the bureaucratic process and were there every step of the way.
- Joe Tancredi Care Management Client and Bike MS Colorado Team Mojoe’s Flo
nationalMSsociety.org/MSClinicalCare
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Supporting one another and exploring the issues that shape your world.
Connect
Connecting you to the MS community
Social Programs: Get connected with your peers, share your connections or just hang out. Support Groups: Bringing people together to share stories, ideas and inspiration. MS Connection: An online social network where thousands of people support one another and explore the issues that shape your world. Get connected today at MSconnection.org.
To find a social program or support group in your area, visit cureMSco-wy.org
We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men. - Herman Melville Peer Connections: Pick your own peer and connect with them by email or telephone. Visit the peer connections page at MSconnection.org. For information about volunteering, e-mail: PeerConnections@nmss.org MS Friends: Support when you want and need it most from someone who knows first hand what it is like to live with MS. Call the MS Friends helpline at 1-866-673-7436. All of your conversations are confidential. For information about volunteering, e-mail: OnlinePeers@nmss.org
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National MS Society Colorado-Wyoming Chapter
Accelerating progress to:
Research
Pursuing promising research
The National MS Society mobilizes people and resources to move research forward by relentlessly pursuing prevention, treatment and a cure. Our goal is simple: stop disease progression, restore function and end MS forever. Research sponsored by the Society has led to major advances in our understanding and treatment of MS. Since its founding in 1946, the Society has invested more than $761 million to advance MS research and has been at the core of virtually every major breakthrough in treating and understanding the disease.
Generous funding, extensive collaboration and our commitment to research have resulted in immense progress:
No Opportunity Wasted. The National MS Society supports and funds research activities spanning ALL research stages. Our unique approach drives the pursuit of all promising avenues that can impact those living with multiple sclerosis.
• Earlier treatment through faster, more accurate means to diagnose MS • The development of new approved disease-modifying therapies • Breakthroughs in identifying which genes are involved in MS
We must all be leaders in achieving our $250 million fundraising goal to move MS research further and faster than ever before.
There are more potential therapies in development now than at any other time in history.
Now is the time to make things happen. Join us.
NOW. No Opportunity Wasted. Used with permission from NOW, Inc. and in partnership with Phil Keoghan, tireless advocate and MS Champion.
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Creating legislative and regulatory changes that benefit people affected by MS.
Advocacy
Raising our collective voice to drive change
Real people have a real impact on reforming legislation and the policies that affect our lives. Advocacy successes happen when people with MS speak out on issues important to them and progress in public policy is made when citizens and legislators work together to identify needs in their communities and to address them in a positive way. Become an MS Activist and raise awareness about MS. Share your stories with our public officials and legislators, educating them about how legislation and funding impacts the MS community.
The National MS Society is leading the movement in protecting the rights of people living with MS. Join us and raise your voice. Together we can make a difference. - Jonna Patton Colorado-Wyoming Chapter MS Activist
Be An Advocate 1-800-FIGHT-MS cureMSco-wy.org
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National MS Society Colorado-Wyoming Chapter
Opportunities that meet your schedule, skills and interests.
Volunteer
Passionate people moving toward a world free of MS
Volunteers are the key to our accomplishments. Each volunteer plays an important role in the success of our events, programs and services.
We offer a wide range of opportunities: • • • • • • • • •
Event support: Bike MS, Walk MS, Hike MS and MuckFest MS Self-Help Group Leaders Practical support such as household repairs or chores Peer support online or by phone DIY: Do It Yourself Event Organizers Administrative assistance Internships Professional opportunities MS Activists and more!
Every year 2,OOO volunteers contribute
29,OOO hours
=
to the Colorado-Wyoming Chapter
16 full-time employees National MS Society Colorado-Wyoming Chapter
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Leveraging your giving to make the greatest impact.
Donate
Raising critical funds to move lives forward
Your financial contributions help fund cutting-edge research, drive change through advocacy, facilitate professional education, and provide programs and services to help people with MS and their families move their lives forward. Direct your giving to support your passion: • • • • • • • •
Make a one-time or recurring gift Leave a legacy (bequest, annuity, insurance, planned gift) Participate in our events Form a team for one of our signature events Become a corporate sponsor Give at your workplace Organize a DIY fundraiser with friends, colleagues, family Offset expenses with in-kind products and services
Thank you for my stairlift. I can go up and down stairs as much as I want! It used to take me 35 minutes to climb the stairs but now I can do it in less than a minute. Thank you for my newfound sense of freedom and independence and allowing me to enjoy my home again. - Belinda Bellis Independent Spirit Fund Recipient Sign up for one of our signature events or make a contribution at cureMSco-wy.org 10
National MS Society Colorado-Wyoming Chapter
Events
Mobilizing people who want to do something about MS now
Walk MS: a remarkable achievement by more than 250,000 walkers in more than 600 cities across the U.S. that raises essential funds for MS research and services.
Bike MS: a two-day inspirational ride covering 150 miles through rolling hills and captivating scenery. Imagine the sense of accomplishment you feel as you cross the finish line.
MuckFest MS: a mucky romp through mud and obstacles in support of a world free of multiple sclerosis. This course features a gauntlet of muck-filled mazes, pits and craters with over twenty gigantic steel obstacles. Hike MS: enjoy beautiful mountain scenery while making great strides towards a cure. Hike routes are designed for all skill levels to change your altitude about MS.
My team started out with 6 people and has grown to over 50 of the greatest comrades I could have asked for in this battle for my life. We must STOP this disease NOW. RESTORE what so many of us have already lost. And END MS forever. For my kids Jake and Zach, I will ride year after year so they won’t have to worry about MS. I have MS, but MS does not have me!
- Steve Clayton,
Team Ain’t Too Proud to SAG
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We have offices across Colorado and Wyoming with professional staff who know your community. Get connected today. Denver Metro Office 900 S Broadway, Suite 250 Denver, CO 80209 Northern Colorado Office 1525 Riverside Ave, Suite A Fort Collins, CO 80524 Southern Colorado Office 611 N Weber, Suite 101 Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Western Colorado Office 521 Rood Ave, Suite B Grand Junction, CO 81501 Cheyenne Wyoming Office 2112 Evans Ave Cheyenne, WY 82001 Casper Wyoming Office Petroleum Bldg, Suite 103 111 West 2nd St Casper, WY 82601
STAY CONNECTED facebook.com/NMSSco.wy twitter.com/NMSScowy follow us on Instagram @NMSScowy youtube.com/NMSScoloradowyoming
cureMSco-wy.org 1-800-FIGHT-MS (344-4867)
flickr.com/nmss_co-wy MSconnection.org