GALA TIME! Tulsa Making a Difference by Uncorking the Cure
BY CHRISTY STEPHENS
F
ebruary, 2022: On Friday, March 4, 2022, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society will present their 20th Annual Uncorking the Cure for MS fundraising gala at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Tulsa. This important event is your opportunity to contribute while also enjoying the exciting activities of the evening. You can help fuel solutions for everyone by participating, donating or volunteering in this event. Multiple sclerosis is a neuromuscular disease that affects the brain and the spinal cord, in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue in the central nervous system. Symptoms can be varied in everyone, from relatively mild to severe. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society strives to raise funds that are critical
for MS research for treatment and, ultimately, a cure; and to better the quality of life of those affected by multiple sclerosis. “This event has been very significant and impactful for fundraising, and raising public awareness and education about MS,” declares Nikki Smith, MS Leadership Events Manager. “Over the past 20 years, the Uncorking the Cure for MS event has raised over a million dollars! That’s so important to advancing our mission as an organization. The funds raised support our program, services and worldwide research.” “We were founded 76 years ago; since 2002, our medical research breakthroughs have been significant,” says Smith. “We now have over 20 treatment options for those living
Above: Laura and Nancy Hawkins. 32 |
VALUE NEWS BROKEN ARROW FEBRUARY 2022 WWW.VALUENEWS.COM
Above: (Front) Lucia Laughlin and Nancy Hawkins, (Back) John Hawkins and Brent Laughlin.
with MS.” Experiences of the evening include live entertainment provided by The STARS Band and a live auction. The main highlight of the evening will be the presentation of the MS Hope Award to Lucia and Dr. Brent Laughlin. “The MS Hope Award is presented to our volunteers that have gone above and beyond,” explains Smith. “It represents our acknowledgement of their longstanding commitment to our (National MS Society’s) mission and the phenomenal impact of the support. It’s the most prestigious award we offer at our events.” The Laughlin’s involvement with the National MS Society started over a decade ago with Uncorking the Cure, motivated by their love for their
Above: (L-R) Donna Martin, Channing Barker and Kelsey Mirando Hillinger.
