Volunteer SpotlightPage 6

Advocacy through License PlatesPage 12

Walk MS HighlightsPage 15

INSIDE This Issue

CONNECTIONM O V I N G T O W A R D A W O R L D F R E E O F M SSummer 2014 Upstate New York Chapter

Team of Underdogs Take on Bike MS: Finger Lakes Challenge

Team Roux

Team Roux, a team of Bike MS enthusiasts, has plans to travel to Upstate New York to

participate in Bike MS: Finger Lakes Challenge this year, but they don’t expect to finish in record time. In fact, Thomas Benzel, captain of Team Roux, admits that he often comes in last — but that doesn’t matter much to him. Team Roux has been participating in Bike MS since 2007, riding at different events around the country and acquiring new members each year. For Team Roux it’s all about having a good time for a great cause.

Thomas’ wife Eileen was diagnosed with mul-tiple sclerosis in 2003. Suddenly, in 2007, Eileen had a major series of exacerbations that brought her to acute care in the hospital. Around this time, Thom-as’ employer volunteered a group of employees to help serve food for 3,000 cyclists at a Colorado Bike MS event. After a day of volunteering and interact-ing with the remarkable group of participants, a co-worker turned to Thomas and suggested they

form a team for the next year’s ride. The following year, they did just that, and Team Roux was born!

Thomas says, “We weren’t bikers. We didn’t own bikes. Parents, relatives, co-workers, and friends thought we were nuts. Many thought we would never follow through with this.” The team even had to rent bikes for the event. They had such a good time they kept the momentum going and decided to travel around the country to rides near family and friends. Seven years later, Team Roux is still traveling to Bike MS events around the country.

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Scholarship Award WinnersPage 5

continued on page 4

2 JOIN THE MOVEMENT: nationalMSsociety.org

Chapter OfficesAlbany Office421 New Karner Road, Suite 6Albany, NY 12205-3838

Buffalo Office4245 Union Road, Suite 108Buffalo, NY 14225

Rochester Office1650 South Avenue, Suite 100Rochester, NY 14620-3901

Syracuse OfficeP.O. Box 2173Syracuse, NY 13220

All offices can be reached by calling 1-800-344-4867 (1-800-FIGHT-MS)

Executive Management TeamStephanie Kunes-Mincer, LMSW

President and CEOBarbara J. Bennett, CPA - Vice President, Finance

Valerie King Hoak - Vice President, Chapter Resource Development

Shari Mazzella - Director, Programs & Services

2014 Chapter Board MembersOfficersKaren L. Waldron ..................................................ChairChristine Sisto Mertes ................................Vice ChairPamela W. Salisbury, MSN, NP-C ............Vice ChairMitchell Pawluk, Esq. ..................................SecretaryCharles T. Cleary ........................................... Treasurer

Directors Kathy A. Birk, MDMark E. BoucherKenneth BuschnerChristina ConnorsAnthony M. CortinaKeith Edwards, MDRobert FluckNancy T. Holtby

Clinics/Health CentersVisit our website for a list of National MS Society affiliated clinics.

Upstate New York ChapterMSupstateny.orgnationalMSsociety.orgemail: michelle.prue@nmss.org

Bryan Kenny, CPAJennifer McKenzieRichard J. Mengel, CPAThomas D. MullerSusan RadzyminskiJulie Ann ShortTracey L. Wardwell

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TOLL FREE NUMBER 1 800 344 4867 3

Chapter NEWS

One of my favorite pro-grams we offer is the

scholarship program that helps high school students who have been diagnosed with MS or who have a parent with MS achieve their dreams of going to college. This year we provided scholarships to six highly qualified students,

and I am pleased that they are profiled in this issue of the MS Connection.

As with any scholarship program, students need to complete forms and include their academ-ic record, community service, and other informa-tion. For me, the most inspiring part of reviewing applications is reading the essays. I have learned so much more about how this disease impacts indi-viduals and families just through these essays. For example, Megan Lafferty, who was chosen from the 460 chapter-level scholarship winners across the country to receive the National Presidential Scholar designation, writes about her initial re-sponse to being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at age 11. She retreats to her favorite backyard tree and explains:

“I cried in anger over being one of the two percent of patients under the age of sixteen to be diagnosed with the autoimmune disorder. I cried for worry for the slowing effects MS would have on my fast-moving life in school and sports. But most of all, I selfishly cried for fear of my future, wonder-ing how people would look at me now that I was different. For the next couple weeks I would go to the Tree more and more to think. After many days lying in my nook and staring off into space through the sun tinted leaves, I slowly began to ac-

Letter from the President Stephanie Kunes-Mincer, LMSW

Stephanie Kunes-Mincer

cept my MS. God never gives us anything that we can’t handle, and from the time I spent in the Tree, I began to understand that dealing with my mul-tiple sclerosis is just part of accepting me.”

These words present an opportunity for un-derstanding multiple sclerosis through yet another lens. MS shouldn’t stand in the way of an educa-tion, so congratulations to our scholarship recipi-ents, and may you continue to pursue your edu-cational goals in the face of the challenges of MS.

If you would like to donate to our scholarship program please visit our website at MSupstateny.org or call 1-800-344-4867.

Annual Meeting The National MS Society Upstate New York

Chapter will hold its annual meeting on October 16, 2014 at the Buffalo Marriot Niagara in Buffalo, NY. The meeting will elect board members for fis-cal year 2015 and report results for fiscal year 2014. If you would like to submit a candidate for consid-eration for service, please send a letter of interest and resume to the chapter headquarters: Care of Governance Committee Chair, 1650 South Ave., Suite 100, Rochester, NY 14620.

Partner in MS Care Welcomes New Staff Members

The Multiple Sclerosis Center of Northeastern New York welcomes Francisco Gomez, MD and Dorothy LaCombe, ANP to the comprehensive MS care center team. The MS Center has been a distin-guished Partner in MS Care since 2009.

JOIN THE MOVEMENT: nationalMSsociety.org 4

Chapter NEWS

continued from page 1They participate for the pure fun and the mission of the event. The team has developed traditions for Bike MS weekends, and they have yet to recruit a member who is an avid cyclist. The group de-scribes themselves as a bunch of misfit bikers who have come together to support an amazing per-son, Eileen, and an uplifting event.

The team of rookies has raised more than $50,000 over the last seven years, and they hope to raise another $15,000 more this year. They have a blast at Bike MS and hope that other first-time or rookie cyclists will join them! With so many op-tions across Upstate New York, there are routes for varying abilities, and there really is something for

MS specialists at the Univer-sity of Rochester Medical

Center have been provided a five-year award to develop and deliver a comprehensive training program. The training program will be designed to give clinicians the experience and knowledge

needed to provide comprehensive care to people with MS. Andrew D. Goodman, MD is Professor of Neurol-ogy, Chief of the Neuroimmunology Unit, and Direc-tor of the Multiple Sclerosis Center at the University of Rochester. Numerous publications reflect his in-terests in clinical and experimental therapeutics re-search as well as the immunology and virology of multiple sclerosis. Dr. Goodman has been principal investigator and a member of national and inter-national steering committees for numerous clini-

Andrew D. Goodman, M.D.

cal trials of new therapies for MS. Additionally, Dr. Goodman has played many leadership roles for the National MS Society.

The study at the University of Rochester is one of 83 expected new MS research projects and train-ing awards granted by the National MS Society. These are part of a comprehensive research strategy aimed at stopping MS, restoring function that has been lost, and ending the disease forever – for every single person with MS. Contributions to the Society’s NOW (No Opportunity Wasted) Campaign are cru-cial to fueling these research initiatives. If you would like to donate to the NOW campaign, visit our web-site, MSupstateny.org, and click on the green box on the lower right side of the page or contact Valerie Hoak, Vice President of Chapter Resource Develop-ment at 585-271-0805, ext. 70373 or Valerie.hoak@nmss.org. We need your help to advance research toward the cure.

Rochester Research Team Receives Five-Year Award for Training Development

everyone. Bike MS: Finger Lakes Challenge will take place

July 19-20 at Keuka College, in the beautiful Finger Lakes. Other Bike MS events taking place in Up-state New York include:

Bike MS: Southtowns Shuffle – Aug. 9, 2014 Elma, NY (Buffalo area)Bike MS: ROC the Ride – Sept. 7, 2014 Rochester, NY (featuring a unique city tour)Bike MS: Hudson River Ramble – Sept. 20, 2014 Schodack, NY (Albany area)

For more information, call Alyssa 1-800-344-4867 (EXT. 70332) or visit bikeMSupstateny.org.

5TOLL FREE NUMBER 1 800 344 4867

Chapter NEWSChapter Welcomes New Campaign Managers

The Upstate New York Chapter welcomes Hill-ary Upton and Katie Wells to the development

team. Hillary is Campaign Man-

ager in Rochester, and she will be responsible for organizing Walk MS and Monster Scram-ble in the Greater Rochester Area. Hillary was the special events and communications

intern for the chapter in the summer of 2013, and she is thrilled to be back as a staff member! She graduated from Allegheny College in May 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications.

Katie Wells is Campaign Manager in Albany. She is a December 2013 graduate of Siena College where she spe-cialized in Marketing. Katie will be responsible for organizing Bike MS in Albany, the Albany

WAMS Luncheon, and Walk MS event logistics for the Albany region. Welcome to the team!

Hillary Upton

Katie Wells

The 2014 Scholarship Winners

The National MS Society Upstate New York Chap-ter rewards scholarships to highly qualified stu-

dents living with MS or affected by MS in the life of a family member. These hard-working students show academic excellence, leadership, and have participated in several extracurricular activities.

Congratulations to all of the winners! Special thanks to the scholarship program

sponsors: Kalec Family Foundation Golf Tourna-ment and Genzyme.

Jahnee Huber of Lake Placid will attend SUNY Binghamton, majoring in nursing.

Kathryn Wilson of Wilmington will be studying at St.

Lawrence University.

Megan Lafferty of Penn Yan will be studying Pre-med at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. Recipient of the National Presidential Scholar award.

Olivia Desmond of Schenectady will be attending Johnson and

Wales University in Providence, RI, studying baking and pastry arts.

Olivia Tamm of Queensbury will be going into Engineering at Messiah College in Grantham, PA.

Tayyaba Arshad of Penfield will be studying Biology at

Cornell University.

DID YOUKNOW?Almost every National MS Society program in the Northeast is available to anyone affected by MS. To learn about programs available to you, visit MSupstateny.org and select “Events & Programs in the Northeast” from the left navigation menu.

6 JOIN THE MOVEMENT: nationalMSsociety.org

The National MS Society Upstate New York Chapter has offered MS Service Day for the past

three years and will continue this program in fis-cal year 2015. Over the years, MS Service Day has evolved and grown to better meet the needs of the families and individuals we serve. We are now offering three dates for MS Service Day through-out the year. This allows increased flexibility while keeping our fundraising component an important part of the program. All money raised will sup-port MS Service Day, and any abundance will be used in the Independence Fund, providing finan-cial assistance to people in need throughout the

MS Service Day Has a New Look

year. Please join us by submitting your house for a volunteer team to assist you with needed chores, by joining a volunteer team at the program, or by making a donation or sponsorship on one or more of the following dates: December 6, 2014 – Holiday Help June 6, 2015 – Summer Service September 26, 2015 – Autumn Aid Questions about MS Service Day may be direct-ed to nyrMSserviceday@nmss.org or by contacting Ashley for volunteering, Dee for submitting your house or Maria to make a donation or become a sponsor at 800-344-4867 (press 2).

VOLUNTEERING

An event as massive as Walk MS requires hun-dreds of volunteers to help facilitate a successful

experience. One particular volunteer position is im-portant even beyond the day of the event: the pho-tographer! Such a wonderful event requires a skilled photographer to capture the special moments that take place among teams, families, and participants. Walk MS: Buffalo had a handful of dedicated volun-teer photographers to take snapshots from the day, including Charlie Kopera. Charlie was ready – in the face of challenging weather – to capture special moments at Walk MS. He explains that he has wanted to take pictures for several years. Charlie has cerebral palsy which can make movement and precision difficult. Last year, he

Volunteer Spotlight: Charlie Koperadiscovered a way to make photography an achiev-able hobby through what is called a “Stage Ninja.” This tool clamps to his wheelchair and acts like a tri-pod. Charlie was able to take photographs at Walk MS from a unique vantage point and he was positively inspiring to walk participants who en-dured the rain on May 3. Thank you for your dedi-cation Charlie!

Charlie Kopera takes a break from photograph-ing Walk MS: Buffalo 2014 for a quick photo with Patty Wagner.

Chapter NEWS

7TOLL FREE NUMBER 1 800 344 4867

Meet New Board MembersRobert Fluck

Robert Fluck has joined the National MS Society Upstate New York Chapter board of directors with a strong his-tory of volunteering. He is currently a member of the MS Friends program, and he is al-

ways among the first volunteers to sign up for MS Service Day. Robert received the Program Volun-teer of the Year award at the 2013 annual meeting, which is confirmation of his enthusiasm and com-mitment to the Society and its mission.

VOLUNTEERING

Kenneth BuschnerThe Upstate New York Chap-ter of the National MS Society also welcomes Kenneth Bus-chner to its board of directors. Kenneth has been a Bike MS team captain for four years and has played a pivotal role

in increasing awareness of the event in the local business community. His continued involvement with the Society is motivated by his daughter, Shannon, who is currently living with MS. Kenneth is co-owner of Studio 2B, an advertising photogra-phy agency located in Rochester.

Here’s your chance to raise awareness and funds for the MS movement while participating in any third-party endurance event this summer. Swim, run, paddle, trek, or participate in any distance event to show your commitment to finish MS. Visit finishMS.org for training resources and to register your distance event today.

Calling all Endurance Sports Enthusiasts!

Chapter PROGRAMS

SAVE THE DATE

Tuesday, November 4, 2014 • 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Albany Marriott Hotel • 189 Wolf Rd • Albany, NY

Enjoy a keynote address from Angela Applebee, MD, Director of the MS Center of Northern New England. For more information contact the

Center for Disability Services at (518) 944-2107.

12th Annual Multiple Sclerosis Symposium

8 JOIN THE MOVEMENT: nationalMSsociety.org

Chapter PROGRAMSChapter to Host Health and Wellness Fair

On Thursday, September 25, 2014 the National MS Society Upstate New York Chapter will host

a health and wellness fair in Latham, NY. This event includes an informative program with guest pre-senters from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Presentations include: Good Sleep Hygiene, by Gaye McCafferty, MS, ANP-BC; Healthy Eating, by Kristen A. Caponera, MS, RD, CDN; MS Research, by Keith R. Edwards, MD, FAAN; and MS Symptom Man-agement, by James Wymer, MD, PhD. For more information, contact Aaron Ward at 518-464-0910 or aaron.ward@nmss.org

Upcoming Groups in Buffalo

Please join us for the fall session of the Lewiston Support group. We will be meeting on Septem-

ber 4 and October 2 at Mount St. Mary’s Hospital & Health Center, 5300 Military Road in the Educa-tion Center, second floor, room 249 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. If you have questions, please contact Megan Vaughan at 716-634-2573 ext. 70502 or megan.vaughan@nmss.org.

Everyday Matters Program in Buffalo

The Everyday Matters pilot programs were so successful we have scheduled another session

this year. Please join us in Cheektowaga on Sep-tember 9, 23, October 7, 21, and November 4 from

6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. We each dream of how

our life could be, but for those with multiple scle-rosis, that idea can change due to the challenges of living with a chronic, unpredictable, and lifelong

Relationship Matters: Upcoming Couples Retreat

The National MS Society, Upstate New York Chap-ter, will be holding a Relationship Matters Cou-

ples Retreat September 27 through 28 at Salvatore’s Grand Hotel in Williamsville. The cost is $75 per couple which includes a Jacuzzi suite and meals -- including dinner at Russell’s on premises. The program, Eight Hours to a Lifetime of Rela-tionship Satisfaction, is designed so participants:• Recognize common communication problems

and ways to correct them.• Understand different styles for solving problems.• Develop a plan for de-escalating arguments and

conflicts.• Use effective communication skills for listening

and speaking.• Learn ways to protect and repair relationships.• Discuss challenges/concerns and ways to strength-

en relationships through renewed commitments to one another.

Space is VERY limited. You must call Megan Vaughan at 716-634-2573 ext. 70502 to register. A wait list will be available.

disease. This program is for people with MS and care-partners. Everyday Matters: Living Your Best Life with MS teaches people how to incorporate principles of positive psychology into their lives. There will be a $20 cost per person to participate, and space is limited. Participants will receive pro-gram materials, including Shawn Achor’s book, The Happiness Advantage. There is an application process. To learn more, contact Megan Vaughan, at 1-800-344-4867 (press 2).

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RESEARCH

Buffalo The Pediatric MS & Demyelinating Disorders Center at Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo is currently recruiting healthy, typically developing children, ages 3 to 19, along with children with a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, ages 3 to 19, to par-ticipate in a research study. This study will take ap-proximately two to three hours. Participants will be compensated for their time. Participants/parents/guardians will need to complete a questionnaire, and participants will have one blood sample drawn. Please call 716-859-1792 or 716-878-7367 to deter-mine eligibility or to find out more information. The Motor Speech Disorders Laboratory in the Department of Communicative Disorders and Sci-ences at the University at Buffalo is currently recruit-ing participants with multiple sclerosis to help us learn how neurological conditions impact speech and how to optimize clinical therapies for improving speech. Participants will have their speech audio-recorded to a computer during speech tasks (e.g., reading sentences, short paragraphs). Participants

will also perform memory and thinking tasks (e.g., remembering words and shapes, sorting cards, and describing this task). A total time commitment of about two hours during a single session is required. Some of the study qualifications include speak-ing standard American English, adequate vision for reading, and passing a hearing screening on the day of the session. Compensation is available. For more information contact Lynda at 716-829-5557 or email ubmsdlab@gmail.com. Researchers at the University at Buffalo are look-ing at ways to improve respiratory function and ex-ercise capacity in people with MS. The study will test the subject’s respiratory muscle function, and then see how the subject responds to a six-week exercise program designed to improve strength and endur-ance of respiratory muscles and reduce fatigue. The testing will be on five days over nine weeks at UB, and the exercise program will be three times a week for six weeks; two of the sessions at home and one

MS Research: The Progress, The Promise

In one whirl-wind week of April, the Upstate New York Chapter provided information about Soci-

ety-sponsored research and upcoming treatments at research programs in Corning, Poughkeepsie, Utica, and Batavia. Speakers from the University of Rochester MS Center, Albany Medical Center Neu-rology Group, Corinne Goldsmith Dickinson Cen-ter for MS, MS Center of Northeastern New York, a private practice neurology clinic, and the Uni-versity at Buffalo shared their personal research and the future of MS treatment with eager ears at each site. Chapter President Stephanie Kunes-

Mincer also spoke to each audience, sharing the importance of research for increased quality of life, excellence in treatment, and to bring us toward A World Free of MS. To invest in MS research, visit our website, MSupstateny.org, and click on the green box on the lower right side of the page or contact Valerie Hoak, Vice President of Chapter Resource Development at 585-271-0805, ext. 70373 or Valerie.hoak@nmss.org. We need your help to ad-vance research toward the cure. For more informa-tion about research sponsored by the National MS Society, please visit www.nationalmssociety.org/Research.

Chapter PROGRAMS

Opportunities to Participate in MS Research

10 JOIN THE MOVEMENT: nationalMSsociety.org

RESEARCH

ADVOCACY2014 Post NYS Budget Advocacy Day

On World MS Day, Wednesday, May 28, 2014, New York City/Southern New York Advocacy Direc-

tor Gene Veigl, Upstate New York Chapter Advocacy Manager Aaron Ward, and Albany Government Re-lations Committee Chair Randy Stein met with law-makers to discuss the New York State Multiple Scle-rosis Coalition Action Network’s Post New York State

Budget Legislative Agenda. Among the issues discussed, we asked lawmak-ers to…

• Support the development of telehealth/tele-medicine services to increase access to medi-cal services in New York State. The New York MS Coalition Action Network supports efforts

at UB. Compensation is available. For more informa-tion, contact Dr. Nadine Fisher at 716-829-6724 or nfisher@buffalo.edu. DENT Neurologic Institute is conducting the fol-lowing trials, for more information on any of these studies, call 716-250-2038 or 716-819-4117.• If you have relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

and are between the ages of 18 and 65, you may qualify to join a study evaluating a new investiga-tional drug that may help reduce relapses. Quali-fied volunteers will receive study-related medical evaluations and the study drug at no cost. Com-pensation for time and reasonable reimbursement for travel expenses are available.

• If you are being treated for a relapsing-remitting form of MS, a voluntary research study is being con-ducted to evaluate different medications that treat RRMS. There are basic eligibility requirements, call for more information. Qualified participants will re-ceive study-related exams and the study medica-tion at no cost.

• EXPAND is a clinical trial that will evaluate an in-vestigational therapy for secondary-progressive MS. Participants in EXPAND will need to take the investigational drug by mouth daily and will be ex-amined every three months by study staff. About

one-third (determined randomly) of people who participate in EXPAND will receive a daily placebo instead of the investigational drug. There are basic eligibility requirements, call for more information.

Rochester The Rochester MS Center is currently recruiting to gather information about the long-term safety and effectiveness of a new drug, SPARC’s Baclofen ER Capsules, in subjects with spasticity due to MS. For more information, call Eileen Scheid, RN, MSN, at 585-275-6673. The Rochester MS Center is recruiting for a study that will look at whether vitamin D is effective in re-ducing relapses and new MRI lesions in people with MS. Study participants will receive high-dose or low-dose vitamin D for two years. All participants will be given glatiramer acetate (Copaxone) for free during the study. Participants need to be starting or restarting Copaxone. To find out if you are eligible to participate, call Cynthia Irish, RN, MSCN, CCRC, at 585-275-6120. Novartis is sponsoring a clinical research study at the Rochester MS Center to compare two doses of fingolimod with glatiramer acetate, and to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of fingolimod for peo-ple with relapsing-remitting MS. For more informa-tion, contact Eileen Scheid at 585-275-6673.

continued from page 9

TOLL FREE NUMBER 1 800 344 4867 11

Advocacy and the New York State Legislative MS Alliance

ADVOCACY

The New York MS Coalition Action Network is looking for legislators who are interested

in seeking creative solutions to the challenges facing people with MS. There are approximately 34,000 families impacted by multiple sclerosis in New York State who experience challenges with accessibility, access to affordable health care, transportation, employment, and other issues. We are looking for legislators willing to:• Raise awareness and promote education about

MS in our efforts to create a world free of MS,• Speak at or attend events hosted by the Na-

tional MS Society, and• Share exciting updates and events in support

of the National MS Society with constituents via social media, mail and website.

Participating in the MS Alliance will allow us all to better serve New Yorkers living with MS and all those living with a disability. If you would like to join, please contact Aaron Ward at 518-464-0910 or aaron.ward@nmss.org. If your New York State Senator or Assembly Member has yet to join, please encourage them to do so. Advocacy can take many forms, whether it’s meeting with federal and state lawmakers, or writing letters to the editor, or sharing informa-tion about the Society’s official New York State National MS Society license plate, there is room in Advocacy for people interested in all of these things or just some of them. We look forward to hearing from you!

by New York State to enhance the availability of telehealth and telemedicine.

• Support legislation which will prevent insur-ance providers from mandating consumers to only use mail order pharmacies to fill their prescriptions. This bill closes a loophole in state insurance law that allows the health insurance industry to force New Yorkers with private insur-ance to only use mail-order pharmacies to fill their prescriptions.

• Support Step Therapy legislation ensuring prescribers have a clear process to override step therapy under specific conditions when medically in the best interest of the patient. This bill allows the prescribing physician who is aware of the patient’s needs to override step therapy protocol when, in their judgment, the preferred treatment by the insurer is not the most suitable therapy for the patient.

Learn more about advocacy and each of these bills by contacting Aaron Ward at 518-464-0910 or aaron.ward@nmss.org.

New York State Assemblyman Brian Kolb, one of the newest members of the NYS Legislative MS Alliance, receives a certificate of acknowledgement from Albany Government Relations Committee Chair Randy Stein (seated) and Advocacy Manager Aaron Ward on Wednesday, May 28, World MS Day.

JOIN THE MOVEMENT: nationalMSsociety.org 12

ADVOCACY

Our Champions On the Move Luncheon is scheduled for Friday, September 12, 2014 at

the Buffalo Marriott on Millersport Highway. This unique awards ceremony and networking lun-cheon will shine a spotlight on the Champions of Western New York who, through their volun-teerism, philanthropy, and activism, have joined the movement to help create a world free of MS. Last year, the luncheon welcomed more than 200 people and raised more than $37,000 for MS research, programs and services. Once again emceed by WIVB News 4’s Jacquie Walker, we are confident that the third year of the Champions On the Move Luncheon will be just as exciting as the first. You can learn more about the luncheon and this year’s honorees at MSupstate-ny.org or by contacting Maria Batt at Maria.Batt@nmss.org or by phone, 716-634-2573, ext. 70501.

Join Us as we Honor Champions on the Move

Join us this October and November for our sec-ond annual Monster Scramble 5K/10K in Buffa-

lo, Rochester, Albany, Hudson Valley, Binghamton, and Syracuse. The Monster Scramble 5K/10K is a Halloween themed, chip-timed run that’s sure to

make your heart (and feet) race! If running isn’t

your speed, choose to walk along our one mile family-fun stroll route, collecting Halloween good-ies along the way. We encourage participants to dress up and have fun! Visit monsterscramble.org to get information on the race nearest you and to register today!

Monster Scramble 5K/10K Now in More Locations

National MS Society Plates Show Solidarity

Get your National MS Society NYS license

plate to show your sup-port for finding a cure! Money raised from the license plates is used to support the New York State Multiple Sclerosis Research Fund which supports pediatric MS research conducted at Jacobs Neu-rological Institute in Buffalo and the MS center at Stony Brook Long Island Children’s Hospital. Volunteer activist Tim Coleman first saw the National MS Society NYS license plate when he lived in New Mexico. When he moved back home to New York, it was a “no brainer” that he would get the plate to show his family’s support. Tim says, “I am proud to support the MS Society... I feel MS has been a ‘blessing’ for me and my family. It has changed our outlook on life, family, and faith. I am proud to have the plate to show support for oth-ers affected by multiple sclerosis.” He believes that having the license plate shows solidarity and sup-port for friends, family, and co-workers who battle this disease. The MS plate is available in both passenger and commercial class. You can order it online at www.dmv.ny.gov or by calling the DMV Custom Plates Unit at (518) 402-4838, or by visiting any local DMV office.

DEVELOPMENT

13TOLL FREE NUMBER 1 800 344 4867

DEVELOPMENT

Once in a while, a challenge calls that you simply must answer. Challenge Walk MS is the perfect way to embrace a personal challenge of spirit and strength, while making an important difference in the lives of people living with MS.RegisteR today & begin fundRaisingAs soon as you register, you’ll have access to our online fundraising tools, making fundraising easier and more convenient than ever! A minimum fundraising goal of $1,500 is required, but we’ll be with you every step of the way.

cape cod, mass.: september 5-7, 2014

3 days. 50 miles.connect to end multiple sclerosisregister now: MSchallengewalkcapecod.org or 1.800.344.4867

cape cod, mass.: september 5-7, 2014

Are you Looking to Run a Marathon (or Half-) with Purpose?The National MS Society Upstate New York Chapter is the charity partner of the Adirondack

Marathon. So, if you’re looking for a marathon — here’s your chance to run with a purpose! Join the team in Schroon Lake on Sunday, September 28, 2014.Participants will receive:· Free registration for half or full marathon*· Free ticket to pre-event pasta dinner· Professional training resources through Training Peaks software· Access to online tools to help with fundraising efforts*Fundraising minimums to apply: $750 for half marathon; $1,000 for full marathonRegister now to start your training and fundraising!For more information or to register, contact Ashley Greenman at ashley.greenman@nmss.org or 585-271-0805 ext. 70322.

14 JOIN THE MOVEMENT: nationalMSsociety.org

DEVELOPMENT

In May, thousands of walkers gathered from Buffalo to Alba-

ny and everywhere in between to participate in one of the So-ciety’s largest events, Walk MS. There were 1,115 teams and more than 360 volunteers across our 19 sites in Upstate New York. All of the money raised from these events went toward researching a cure to MS and programs and services to sup-port people living with MS. In-cluded here are snapshots from Walk MS across the chapter. To view additional photos from the event, visit www.flickr.com/photos/upstatenychapter/sets/. To help us reach our goal, please visit walkMSupstateny.org and then click “donate.”

Highlights from Walk MS

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Generous Donors Make Walk MS a Success

Walk MS is a giant operation with 19 sites welcoming more than 10,000 participants. We rely heavily on the support of our corporate partners

to make sure that our participants and volunteers have food, beverages, and an enjoyable experience. Sponsorship is key to making Walk MS a suc-cess, and we are truly grateful for our corporate partners! We would like to take a moment to thank these very special companies and organizations for their support in 2014. If you are interested in supporting Walk MS: 2015 as a corporate partner, please contact Maria Batt, Senior Campaign Manager at 716-634-2573, ext. 70501 or via email at Maria.Batt@nmss.org.

15TOLL FREE NUMBER 1 800 344 4867

6The rain put a damper on

Walk MS. We need your help to meet our Walk MS goal so funding for programs,

services, and research is not affected. Make a donation

today! Visit MSupstateny.org.

DEVELOPMENT

1. Participants warm up with Zumba exercises before Walk MS: Rochester. 2. At Walk MS: Binghamton, Tom Corcoran stopped to tie his shoe and then proposed to Kelly Richter, daughter of longtime fundraiser and team captain Donna Richter. For Team Donna, this year’s trip to Otsiningo Park was definitely a walk to remember. 3. Senator George Maziarz, member of the MS Legislative Alliance, helps kick off Walk MS: Lockport alongside programs manager Dee Mascari. 4. Friends, families, and four legged fur-balls walk in Syracuse for their community members living with MS. 5. Little ones from new team “MSin’ Around” get a lift as they finish the one-mile loop at Walk MS: Watertown! 6. “Greg’s Team Arcade Center Farms” shows their excitement for Walk MS: Batavia during their team photo. 7. Members of Team NYCM sport their orange and their smiles as they make the trek to end MS at Walk MS: Mohawk Valley. 8. Doug Brown proudly smiles with his team surrounding him at Walk MS: Southern Chautauqua where they have raised more than $250,000 over several years.

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CHAMPIONS PARTNERSWIVB TV News 4 BuffaloEMD SeronoMission PartnersQuestcor PharmaceuticalsNYCMGenzyme

MOVEMENT PARTNERSEntergyNew York Institute of MassageSahlen’s Packing CompanyStarbucks

Wegmans

CONTRIBUTING PARTNERSTrans Tech SystemsSlocum DicksonSeton ImagingRich ProductsPremier MedicalGuthrie HealthcareFive Star BankExcellus Blue Cross Blue ShieldErnst & YoungDolce Panepinto

CDPHPCapello SalonBangs Salon and Retail CenterSRCKinney Drugs FoundationColumbian FinancialLiberty Mutual

NATIONAL SPONSORSNovartisPure ProteinMS Active Source

Upstate New York Chapter

National Multiple Sclerosis Society1650 South Avenue, Suite 100Rochester, NY 14620-3901

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FREE MATTER FOR THE

BLIND AND HANDICAPPED®

Connect with usFollow Us on Facebook and Twitter Go to www.facebook.com/MSupstateNYClick on “Like” for updates, news, events, research, and moreOr follow us @MSupstateNY, @BikeMSupstateNY, @WalkMSupstateNY

Upcoming Chapter Events Location DateBike MS: Finger Lakes Challenge Keuka Park July 19 – 20 Bike MS: Southtowns Shuffle Elma August 9Bike MS: ROC the Ride Rochester September 7Bike MS: Hudson River Ramble Schodack September 20 Start of Everyday Matters Program Cheektowaga September 9Champions on the Move Luncheon Amherst September 12Health and Wellness Fair Latham September 25Relationship Matters Couples Retreat Williamsville September 27 – 28Annual Meeting Buffalo October 16Monster Scramble Various Locations October/NovemberNAEP Cognition and Mood in MS Program Cheektowaga November 3Multiple Sclerosis Symposium Albany November 4WAMS Albany November 7

Visit our website, MSupstateny.org, for details on events and programs

Non-Profit OrgU.S. Postage

PAIDRochester, NYPermit No. 764

Upstate New York Chapter

National Multiple Sclerosis Society1650 South Avenue, Suite 100Rochester, NY 14620-3901

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

®

Connect with usFollow Us on Facebook and Twitter Go to www.facebook.com/MSupstateNYClick on “Like” for updates, news, events, research, and moreOr follow us @MSupstateNY, @BikeMSupstateNY, @WalkMSupstateNY

Upcoming Chapter Events Location DateBike MS: Finger Lakes Challenge Keuka Park July 19 – 20 Bike MS: Southtowns Shuffle Elma August 9Bike MS: ROC the Ride Rochester September 7Bike MS: Hudson River Ramble Schodack September 20 Start of Everyday Matters Program Cheektowaga September 9Champions on the Move Luncheon Amherst September 12Health and Wellness Fair Latham September 25Relationship Matters Couples Retreat Williamsville September 27 – 28Annual Meeting Buffalo October 16Monster Scramble Various Locations October/NovemberNAEP Cognition and Mood in MS Program Cheektowaga November 3Multiple Sclerosis Symposium Albany November 4WAMS Albany November 7

Visit our website, MSupstateny.org, for details on events and programs