Issue 32016 The National Multiple Sclerosis Society

Alabama-Mississippi Chapter

MS CONNECTION

Since 2004, volunteers have set up lemonade stands giving away cans of lemonade provided by Buffalo Rock and cookies provided by Bud’s Best Cookies in exchange for donations to the Alabama-Mississippi Chapter. Funds raised help the Alabama-Mississippi Chapter fund programs like Children’s Camp on Lake Martin.

“Children’s Camp gives children who have a family member affected by multiple sclerosis a chance to connect with others facing similar struggles and relax away from the pressures MS might be creating at home,” said Andrew Bell, President of the Alabama-Mississippi Chapter. “Funds raised through the Stand Against MS make it possible for the Chapter to keep the cost of attending camp affordable for families.” This year’s Children’s Camp will be held July 22-24 at Children’s Harbor, and the cost to attend camp is $30 for one camper and $25 for each additional child in the family. All meals and lodging are included. Bell said hosting a Stand is easy – the Chapter will provide you with everything you need to get started including cans of lemonade, cookies, T-shirts, signage and more. “It’s a great way to educate our community about multiple sclerosis and raise funds that make a difference.”

If you would like to host a Stand or register for Children’s Camp, please contact the Alabama-Mississippi Chapter office at 205-879-8546 or visit www.nationalMSsociety.org/alc.

SUMMER’S SWEETEST TRADITION MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF CHILDREN

Spotlight on CHRISTIAN GONZALEZ

MS Scholarships 3

5MS in MOTION &MS Service Day

2016 Bike MS 8

2016 Leadership Class &EOW 6

IN THIS ISSUE

Look Who’s Joined theMovement

7

Research 4

STAND AGAINST MS

STARTING JUNE 18

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2016 BOARD OF TRUSTEESGeorge Trible, Chair, Wells Fargo

Hafiz Chandiwala, Immediate Past ChairCoca-Cola Bottling Company United

Lynn Lovelady, Vice Chair, Energen Corporation

Meredith Calhoun, Secretary, Corporate Realty Associates

Trey Clegg, Treasurer, Brasfield & Gorrie

Khurram Bashir, MD, UAB John Bentley, Renasant BankTerry Brown, HealthSouth

Shannon Clemons, Bentley Systems, Inc. Scott Crawford, PhD,

Disability Rights AdvocateTara DeSilva, PhD, UAB

John Dukes, Helmsing Leach HerlongEdmond Hughes, Ingalls ShipbuildingInge Johnstone, Johnstone Carroll, LLC

Debbie King, ConsultantDoug Jones, Entergy

Todd Lankford, Robins & Morton Christopher Leech, Regions Financial Corp.

Charley Long, IV, RetiredFrank McPhillips, Maynard,

Cooper & Gale, PCJ. Marshall Morrissette, III,

BlueCross BlueShield of Alabama Stacie Propst, PhD, Consultant

Steve Reed, Go To Market SolutionsEmily Riser, MD, Tanner Center for MS

Thomas Rockwell, Rockwell & Kaufman, LLCDave Smith, Regions Financial Corp.

Craig Snell, Carr, Riggs & Ingram Mark Tarr, HealthSouthLee Weathers, Retired

Mitch White, Diamond Gasoline Stations Pat Wylie, Mississippi Power

Christian Gonzalez may only be 16, but he is al-ready making huge strides in the movement to end multiple sclerosis as an MS researcher at Vanderbilt University and District Activist Leader.

Christian joined the Alabama-Mississippi Chapter for Public Policy Conference in Washington D.C. in March and shared his prospective on the need for increased funding for MS research.

“Being able to go to PPC this year was an amazing experience,” Gonzalez said. “During my Capitol Hill visit I met with staffers from offices of six different senators and congressman including Senator Shel-by and Representative Brooks. After returning from the PPC, one of staffers I met with informed me that Representative Brooks requested to consign the Advancing Research for Neurological Diseases Act, which just shows how big of an impact MS ac-tivists can have during the legislative process.”

During The National MS Society’s 25th annual Pub-lic Policy Conference, activists from all 50 states stormed Capitol Hill to educate public officials and advocate for key issues affecting those impacted by multiple sclerosis. Top priorities for this year’s con-gressional visits included: advancing research for Neurological Diseases Act, increasing MS research funding and improving access to MS Medications. If you are interested in learning more about how you become an MS activist, please contact Aquilla Stanback at aquilla.stanback@nmss.org or visit our website at www.nationalMSsociety.org/alc .

SPOTLIGHT ONCHRISTIAN GONZALEZMS RESEARCHER AND ACTIVIST

CHAPTER ADVOCATES HELP DRIVE CHANGE AT PUBLIC POLICY CONFERENCE

THE ALABAMA-MISSISSIPPI CHAPTER AWARDED 17 SCHOLARSHIPS TO DESERVING STUDENTS ACROSS ALABAMA AND MISSISSIPPI.

CHAPTER AWARDS 17 SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDENTS AFFECTED BY MS

“We believe multiple sclerosis should not stand in the way of an education, but we understand the reality is with annual costs estimated at $70,000 per household, MS is one of the most expensive diseases in the country,” said Chapter President Andrew Bell. “We hope the National MS Society’s Scholarship Program can provide some relief to families.”

The National MS Society’s scholarship program has been helping students affected by MSpursue a post-secondary education nationwide since 2003.

“Thanks to the generosity of Wells Fargo and our constituents’ fundraising efforts, our Chapter

is continuously able to help a large number of families,” Bell said.

Scholarship applications for the 2017-2016 academic year will be available Oct. 1.

Among this year’s recipients are: (shown left to right, below) Bridget Breland, Taylor Brooks, Jonathan Cole, Mary Darvin, Jasmein Davis, Sheondra Dotson, William Eiland, Kayla Elliott, Kaitlin Galloway, Andrew Garcia, Jada Gildersleeve, Brayden Keel, Julian Lacy, Alexandria Moore, Matthew Powers, Morgan Rozek and Mckenzie Rozek. Not pictured: Jonathan Cole, Andrew Garcia, Jada Gildersleeve and Matthew Powers.

CLASS OF 2016CONGRATULATIONS!

3 | JOIN THE MOVEMENT: nationalMSsociety.org

TOLL FREE NUMBER 1-800-344-4867 | 4TOLL FREE NUMBER 1-800-344-4867 | 4

RESEARCH

A RARE GLIMPSEA new study provides a rare glimpse into the very early stages of multiple sclerosis, even before symptoms begin.

What’s known as clinically isolated syndrome,

symptoms that lasts at least 24 hours and is caused

more sites on the brain and spinal cord. Typically if an MRI scan reveals lesions similar to those seen in MS, the likelihood is higher that the person experiencing CIS will go on to develop MS; conversely, if CIS is not accompanied by MRI-detected lesions, he or she has a lower likelihood of developing MS.

A “SILENT” SYNDROMESome people have been found to have clinically “silent” lesions, meaning that while they aren’t experiencing symptoms, doctors have discovered

the course of an MRI scan that the person had for unrelated reasons. Researchers have been increasingly focusing on this phenomenon, called “radiologically isolated syndrome,” or RIS, which—like CIS—may or may not develop into

Annals of Neurology (December 2015), examined MRI scans of 453 people with RIS. Of this group, 128

event consistent with CIS or relapsing MS while approximately 12 percent went on to develop primary progressive MS, which mirrors the frequency of developing this form of the disease as seen in other studies.

older, and were more likely to have MS-like lesions in the spinal cord compared to those who went on to develop CIS or relapsing-remitting

to improve access to care for those living with primary progressive MS.

To learn more, visit nationalMSsociety.org and search for “diagnosing MS.” Stay up to date on MS research by signing up for MS eNews: go to nationalMSsociety.org/signup. ■

STUDIES USING MRI SCANS MAY HELP IDENTIFY MS EARLIER.

therapies (DMTs) have led to approvals for their use to treat CIS. However, there is debate as to whether people with RIS would

5 | JOIN THE MOVEMENT: nationalMSsociety.org5 | JOIN THE MOVEMENT: nationalMSsociety.org

The Alabama-Mississippi partnered with The Dance Foundation to present MS in Motion, a 4-week program designed for those living with multiple sclerosis.

“This has been so good for me and my balance,” said one class participant. “It’s helped me a lot.”

Exercise has been shown to be helpful in managing many MS symptoms including improvement in cognitive function and mood enhancement.

The class focused on movements that those living with MS often find challenging and included chair exercises and isometric movements to strengthen muscles.

For a full listing of programs in your area, please visit the Chapter’s website www.nationalMSsociety.org/alc.

Volunteers from Regions Bank recently joined forces to make life better for two Oxford, Miss. residents affected by MS.

Regions volunteers also assisted with yard work and various household chores that can be difficult for those living with MS to complete.

If you are in need of an MS Service Day or would like to volunteer to serve, please contact Aquilla Stanback at 205-879-8546.

HELPS PARTICIPANTS OVERCOME CHALLENGES

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES:REGIONS EMPLOYEES COMPLETE MS SERVICE DAY

MS IN MOTIONRESEARCH

A RARE GLIMPSEA new study provides a rare glimpse into the very early stages of multiple sclerosis, even before symptoms begin.

What’s known as clinically isolated syndrome,

symptoms that lasts at least 24 hours and is caused

more sites on the brain and spinal cord. Typically if an MRI scan reveals lesions similar to those seen in MS, the likelihood is higher that the person experiencing CIS will go on to develop MS; conversely, if CIS is not accompanied by MRI-detected lesions, he or she has a lower likelihood of developing MS.

A “SILENT” SYNDROMESome people have been found to have clinically “silent” lesions, meaning that while they aren’t experiencing symptoms, doctors have discovered

the course of an MRI scan that the person had for unrelated reasons. Researchers have been increasingly focusing on this phenomenon, called “radiologically isolated syndrome,” or RIS, which—like CIS—may or may not develop into

Annals of Neurology (December 2015), examined MRI scans of 453 people with RIS. Of this group, 128

event consistent with CIS or relapsing MS while approximately 12 percent went on to develop primary progressive MS, which mirrors the frequency of developing this form of the disease as seen in other studies.

older, and were more likely to have MS-like lesions in the spinal cord compared to those who went on to develop CIS or relapsing-remitting

to improve access to care for those living with primary progressive MS.

To learn more, visit nationalMSsociety.org and search for “diagnosing MS.” Stay up to date on MS research by signing up for MS eNews: go to nationalMSsociety.org/signup. ■

STUDIES USING MRI SCANS MAY HELP IDENTIFY MS EARLIER.

therapies (DMTs) have led to approvals for their use to treat CIS. However, there is debate as to whether people with RIS would

“They came in and painted all the trim,” said Tim Turner, one of the MS Service Day recipients. “Of course, we had a lot of laughs. It was very fruitful, but we also had a very good time. They were such a blessing.”

TOLL FREE NUMBER 1-800-344-4867 | 6

2016 EVENING OF WINES SETS NEW RECORDThe 31st Annual Evening of Wines proved to be the most successful in the Chapter’s history, raising more than $250,000 to help create a world free of MS.

More than 330 guests enjoyed a classic American steakhouse dinner paired with exceptional wines and had a chance to bid on more than 120 live and silent auction items ranging from the finest wines to all-inclusive trips to Tuscany, Savannah and Charleston.

7 | JOIN THE MOVEMENT: nationalMSsociety.org

LOOK WHO’S JOINED THE MOVEMENTRENEE BOYDSix years ago, Renee Boyd was living in Batesville, Miss., happily married and working in the banking business, but when Renee turned 40, she received a diagnosis that would change her life. Renee was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

Luckily, Renee has not had to face this challenge alone. “I have the best support system, and my friends are the greatest,” said Renee.

Her friends and husband rallied around her and created a Walk MS team, naming their team the Happy Sharks. “Happy Sharks was my car tag,” Renee laughed. “I am a huge Jimmy Buffett fan, and that is where the name came from.”

SCOTT THORNEHomewood High School Show Choir Director Scott Thorne is a role model for the 165 students that he leads. It is a big job and requires huge amounts of dedication, but after his diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in December of 2014, he hasn’t slowed down a bit.

Rather than slowing down, Scott jumped right in with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and has been involved as a dedicated volunteer ever since. Between his continued dedication to his students and his work with the MS Society, Scott sets an example of selflessness and perseverance for his students and for others. “If there’s a day that I can’t do for myself, I want to know that I did everything I could while I could,” he said.Just over one year ago, Scott came to Andrew Bell, Alabama-Mississippi Chapter President, with an

Since the diagnosis, Renee has become more and more involved in Walk MS and is personally invested in the cause. “I walk for the awareness, and I believe this is a great cause,” said Renee. “One day, I would love for them to find a cure for this dreaded disease.”

As her friends rally around her and she has the opportunity to rally around others in her community, Renee experiences renewed hope. “My favorite part about Walk MS is when people meet and get together to support the cause,” she said.

The hope generated for those affected by MS is powerful. Renee has experienced that hope first hand. With every step that Renee and the Happy Sharks take, our community moves one step closer to a world free of MS.

idea. He called it “BourbonHam.” After hearing the name, Bell was sold. Together they planned and hosted the first annual BourbonHam barbecue and bourbon tasting event this year, bringing in

450 guests and raising $27,000 for the National MS Society. After the event’s success, Scott is already planning for the 2017 BourbonHam event with inspiring enthusiasm.

Scott has become a critical part of the End MS Movement, inspiring his students to get involved by attending Walk MS events, spreading the word

about MS and serving as a driving force within the National MS Society’s network of volunteers. The impact Scott has had inspires hope for the whole community, and his dedication as a volunteer proves that every person can make a difference in creating a world free of MS.

Alabama-Mississippi Chapter813 Shades Creek ParkwaySuite 100-BBirmingham, AL 35209

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