Fall 2010 - Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada

A newsletter connecting Albertans who want to end MS
www.mssociety.ca/alberta
Photo: Participants take part in
“KINESIS for Multiple Sclerosis”
at Servus Credit Union Place in St.
Albert. The MS Society, Alberta &
NWT Division, partners with recreation
facilities throughout the province to
develop specially designed exercise
programs for people with MS.
To fi nd out more about exercise
programs in your Chapter, visit: www.
mssociety.ca/alberta and click on MS
ActiveNOW in the left-hand menu.
Connections
Fall 2010
CCSVI
Albertans share their
experience with CCSVI
Your exercise
questions answered
What has the Alberta
endMS RRTC been up to?
“MS Society Alberta”
“MS Society Alberta ccsvi”
3
5
6

MS Connections is published quarterly by the
MS Society of Canada, Alberta & Northwest
Territories Division. It is intended to provide
news and information for Albertans with
MS, their families, caregivers, medical
professionals and other stakeholders. The
information and opinions contained in
this newsletter are obtained from sources
believed to be reliable, but their accuracy
cannot be guaranteed. We value your
comments, feedback and reprint requests—
please email them to info.alberta@mssociety.
ca or call us at the numbers listed below.
MS Society of Canada
Alberta & Northwest Territories Division
Managing Editor, Darrel Gregory
darrel.gregory@mssociety.ca
Editor, Angie Mah
angie.mah@mssociety.ca
2009/2010
Board of Directors
Board Chair: James Orr
1st Vice Chair: Carey Mogdan
2nd Vice Chair & Chair, Fund
Development Committee: Kevin O’Neil
Past Chair: Suzanne Deschamps
Treasurer: Dustin Sundby
Secretary: Lesley Turnbull
Chair, Client Services Committee:
Judy Gordon
Chair, Government & Community
Relations Committee: Joan Ozirny
MEMBERS-AT-LARGE
Darrel Frisken
Lynne Sangster
Doreen Saunderson
Bernie Buzik
Wayne Jacques
Melanee Framp
Hazel Flewwelling
Gayelene Bonenfant
Our Mission
To be a leader in finding a
cure for multiple sclerosis and
enabling people affected by MS
to enhance their quality of life.
Contact Us
#150, 9405 - 50 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T6B 2T4
Phone: (780) 463-1190
Toll-free: 1-800-268-7582
Fax: (780) 479-1001
Email: info.alberta@mssociety.ca
www.mssociety.ca/alberta
2 MS Connections Fall 2010
The evolution of the CCSVI debate
Where do we go from here?
I
want to weigh in on the current controversy
surrounding the approval of the Liberation
Treatment in Canada. First let me declare
my personal bias before presenting the position
of the Alberta Division Board of Directors.
I have talked to many people throughout
Alberta who have experienced benefits from
this treatment. The reports are enough to
convince me that people’s personal account
of the positive results of the treatment can’t
be dismissed. This is why the MS Societies
in the US and Canada committed $2.4 million to better understand CCSVI and its
association with MS. One of the four Canadian CCSVI research projects is taking
place right here in Alberta through Dr. Costello. I believe that the results of these and
other studies around the world must all be carefully reviewed.
However, the voices of persons living with and affected by MS have clearly
demonstrated that research delays aren’t going to satisfy CCSVI proponents who
see this as an alternative treatment option and one which should be available to
Canadians now. As someone who worked many years with high level quadriplegics
prior to joining the MS Society, I very much understand what it means to an individual
with paralysis to recover even the movement of a finger. Similarly with MS, even
slight improvements can make a world of difference. Somehow our research needs
to recognize these reported benefits, the lived experiences as told by those who have
received the treatment.
The Alberta Division Board of Directors has taken the position, and rightly so, that we
should be strong advocates of the need to make this treatment available in Alberta
if it is proven to be safe and effective. We have worked very hard within the Society
and with the Alberta Government to push for clinical trials of this experimental
treatment. The recent MS Society of Canada announcement to set aside $1 million
toward clinical trials is a positive step forward. To accelerate the process, some of this
money will be put to work right away in designing the trials which requires both time
and specialized expertise. This way we are ready to launch the trials much sooner
if the evidence supports this and ethical approval is obtained from the participating
research facilities. We know that our collective efforts have paid off, because our own
Minister of Health has publicly announced his support of clinical trials if the evidence
supports this. Minister Zwozdesky also announced the creation of the MS Connector
Services Committee to develop a provincial MS Strategy that we have pushed hard for
over these past three years and which you can read more about on page 16.
It’s a fair criticism to say that we could have been stronger advocates from day one.
I will also be the first to say that our position at the Society has evolved from initial
skepticism to the need to quickly prove or disprove the benefits of such a treatment
option. What worries me most at this time is the divisiveness on the issue which
has the potential to divert support and fragment our research efforts. I am equally
concerned about the misinformation and inaccuracies that are at times directed as
insults to the Society and our staff, and which unfairly and untruthfully attack our
...continued on page 15

Straight from the
horse’s mouth...so to speak
Albertans speak out on their experience with “the liberation treatment”
Note: The MS Society of Canada does not endorse any of the facilities mentioned below. The personal accounts below are for
information purposes only. Always consult with your neurologist before proceeding with any type of treatment.
Daryl Steele
Edmonton, AB
My name is Daryl Steele. I live in
Edmonton and was diagnosed in January
2001. I went to Delhi, India to the Fortis
Hospital, which is a beautiful hospital,
looks very new. The doctors are great,
every one of them is super. My vascular
surgeon was Dr. Viks Jupta, and the
CCSVI treatment procedure was done
with me fully awake and aware. I had one
stent put in and there was no pain. I had
the procedure done at the beginning of
August 2010. Since having the treatment,
my right hand and my right foot are
warm and prior to the operation they
were freezing cold all the time. When I
got off my hospital bed, after 10 hours
in bed, and since having the treatment,
my bladder function has improved to
what it was like when I was 15 years
old, a significant change. My eyesight
has improved. After my surgery, I was
able to clearly see a red dot on the wall
approximately 1000 feet away. Before
this, on a good day, I could see maybe
100 feet away clearly. I have zero pain in
my right knee, am able to climb up and
down stairs much more quickly without
any pain at all. My sleep patterns have
changed dramatically. I used to have
interrupted sleep. Since I have been back,
I’m able to sleep for at least 7 hours
straight. Other things have changed a
wee bit, and things are slowly coming
back to how they should be.
Shirley Hingley
Sherwood Park, AB
My name is Shirley Hingley and I’m from
Sherwood Park, AB.
I was liberated in Katowice, Poland
on August 11, 2010. I was totally blocked
in my left jugular so Dr. Ludyga and
Simka gave me two stents. I was only
half-blocked in my right jugular so they
gave me an angioplasty. My Azygos vein
was clear. I never felt a thing through the
hour procedure.
I was so overwhelmed as they
wheeled me back to my room. I was
crying from ‘joy’ not sadness since I
was finally treated after 22 years for
this horrible disease since I was only
diagnosed with MS on April 8, 2010.
Yes, all my symptoms were no longer
imaginable; they were real. My tears
were flowing like a fountain for five hours.
I was so HAPPY!
I’m feeling 75% better after 38 days.
These are my improvements:
1. Warm hands and feet one hour after
the procedure.
2. My right hand is no longer stiff after
22 years.
3. My fatigue has improved and I have
more energy.
4. I can walk faster.
5. I haven’t had a headache since Aug.11
or
6. a spasm in my back to my chest
(painful and lasting for an hr).
7. My lower back pain is improving - not
stiff.
8. Acid Reflux is improving.
9. And my kids and friends say I look
younger - ‘What a Bonus’!
Jason
Sherwood Park, AB
My name is Jason. I’m from Sherwood
Park, AB and was diagnosed in the
summer of 2004. I stopped work later
that fall.
I went to Katowice Poland and was
treated on June 30th of this year by Dr.
Simka.
Initially I saw great improvement,
then I started to weaken a bit and then
after 2 weeks I started to improve greatly,
but these are the things I notice now.
The spasticity is greatly reduced,
the brain fog is gone, my strength is
increasing everyday, my energy is also
increasing, I sit straight in my wheelchair,
my feet are pink/warm and my hands
are warm, my color is back to normal,
no headaches anymore, certain food
sensitivities have decreased, my neck
muscles and shoulders are no longer
tight, the Drop Foot is gone, the hair that
I lost from the Chemo drugs is growing
back and I stopped taking my bladder
control medication as I don’t need it any
more.
...continued on page 9
MS Connections Fall 2010 3

U of A researchers identify new
player in neurological diseases
MS Society one of three funders of innovative project
Researchers at the University of
Alberta and around the world
have identified a gene that
impacts the speed at which messages are
relayed in the nervous system.
Marek Michalak and Allison Kraus,
from the University of Alberta’s Faculty of
Medicine and Dentistry and the Principal
Investigators on the project, say the
major discovery, which has involved years
of research, could one day help those
with a variety of diseases – in particular
those who suffer from myelin-related
diseases like MS.
“It was serendipity,” says Kraus, a
PhD student. “We never expected to
find out what we did. Then we needed
to expand our study and that’s when it
became a bigger and more collaborative
effort with numerous researchers around
the globe becoming involved.”
About five years ago, Michalak and
Kraus decided they wanted to research
“chaperones” – molecules that are
responsible for the protein-folding ability
in cells. If protein-folding functions in
cells don’t work, it can lead to a host of
diseases.
Michalak and Kraus wanted to
specifically study what would happen
if they removed a specific chaperone –
called calnexin – from non-human test
subjects. They suspected the results
would be fatal, but instead the test
subjects developed numerous mobility
issues such as unstable gaits and legs
that dragged. In addition, the speed of
messages being relayed in the nervous
system of the test subjects was delayed.
The symptoms displayed are very
similar to the symptoms seen in patients
with diseases such as multiple sclerosis,
where the myelin becomes impaired.
Myelin is the protective coating around
4 MS Connections Fall 2010
PhD student Allison Kraus is funded by the MS Society of Canada under a PhD
Studentship.
neurons and is incredibly important
because it allows messages to quickly
travel within the nervous system.
The results of the duo’s research clearly
showed for the first time that chaperones
impact myelin – something that no one
had realized until now.
“Myelin diseases are so diverse and
so tricky to figure out,” says Michalak,
a professor in biochemistry in the
faculty. “Nobody understands why
these diseases happen, which cause
people to progressively lose their motor
functions. We have discovered a new
player in myelin diseases that was never
considered before. It’s been an interesting
and unexpected discovery.”
Kraus added: “When we got rid of
the chaperone, the myelin ended up
‘misfolding’ and had a wavy appearance
instead of a concentric circle appearance
or pattern. The original, protective sheath
became loose and decompacted. This
resulted in the signal travelling in the
nervous system to be slower. Until now,
no one has ever looked at chaperones
and their impact on neuropathy. ”
To date, researchers have focused
on two key areas when researching the
cause of myelin diseases like MS: the
myelin itself and “the glue” that holds
the myelin together known as myelin
proteins.
The researchers noted the next stage
of research will be to discover what
role chaperones play in neuropathy and
myelin diseases in the human population.
They said they would like to study
patients with myelin diseases and see if
they have genetic mutations where their
chaperones aren’t functioning.
Their research was funded by
three different groups: the MS Society
of Canada, the Canadian Institutes of
Health Research and Alberta Innovates –
Health Solutions.

You have questions about exercise and MS
Keith Johnston, Doctoral student
at the University of Alberta and
MS ActiveNOW Coordinator
with the MS Society, Edmonton
Chapter, will answer your
questions about exercise and MS.
If you would like to ask Keith a
question, email it to info.alberta@
mssociety.ca or call the editor,
Angie Mah, at 780-463-1190 or
1-800-268-7582.
Where can people with
MS go for exercise
programs?
QWhether
A
new to exercise
or an old pro, finding where
to go to participate in an
exercise program can be
difficult at times, especially
if you happen to live with MS. The reason
for this is that a good exercise program will
target your particular needs and goals and
will allow the program to be maintainable
and adaptable. Once your goals and
needs have been determined, finding that
exercise program becomes easier.
Many community recreation
and fitness centres in Alberta offer
programs for persons with MS and other
disabilities. Programs are designed to
be either group-based or on-your-own
and can be individualized and adapted to
meet specific needs and abilities. Even if
a centre does not offer an MS or disability
specific program, it may still meet your
needs and be an option.
Finding what is available is as easy
as searching the Internet or ads in the
local newspaper, asking friends and
co-workers, or looking while travelling
about. After having identified a few
options of interest, take time to visit
and evaluate each one. In determining
if a centre or exercise program is right
for you, ask yourself: is the facility and
exercise equipment user friendly? Is
the staff well qualified and do they have
experience working with MS? Would I
feel comfortable exercising here?
If the answers are yes, you may have
found a program that is right for you. Also
Husky Community Rebate Program
The Husky Community Rebate Program is an easy way to raise funds for the
MS Society by purchasing gas! Husky sends a rebate to the MS Society of 2%
of the purchases cardholders make at Husky or Mohawk stations or Husky
House Restaurants. In one quarter over $23,000 in gas was purchased and
we’ve received nearly $500!
Call now to get your Husky Community Rebate Card! Contact Jill Opalka by
email at jill.opalka@mssociety.ca or by phone at 780-463-1190.
...We have answers
keep in mind that whatever program you
choose, it needs to be something you will
enjoy. Research shows that people tend to
pick programs based on price and/or proximity
to home. Unfortunately, this may not
always be the best decision. You may end
up in a program that you don’t like or need,
causing you to stop participating.
Many chapters of the MS Society
within Alberta offer MS specific exercise
programs in partnership with local
fitness centres. These programs range
from group or class type sessions (i.e.,
Yoga, Tai Chi, Aquatic) to individualized
exercise programs, all of which are
adaptable to meet individual needs and
abilities. To learn more about programs
offered in your area contact your local
chapter (1-800-268-7582) or visit
the MS ActiveNOW website (www.
mssociety.ca/alberta).
Remember, a fitness professional and
the MS Society are there to help you become
active, to find that exercise program
that’s right for you. There are always ways
to become active, and to remove, reduce
or minimize obstacles to your success.
MS Connections Fall 2010 5

It’s all about teamwork
endMS Research and Training Network brings MS researchers
together in the discovery of new treatments and a cure
What are we doing in Alberta?
“Talent wins games,
but teamwork
and intelligence
wins championships.”
These words by allstar
basketball player
Michael Jordan sum
up what the endMS
Research and Training
Network is all about.
There is a great
deal of talent in Alberta
working to increase
our understanding
of multiple sclerosis
in order to discover
more treatments and,
ultimately, a cure. Individual efforts
have produced results. Over the last
10 to 15 years, MS research has made
significant strides in several areas.
For example, researchers have
developed windows into the disease
through technology. MRI scanning assists
doctors in diagnosing MS more quickly.
In fact, Canadians are leaders in MRI and
other magnetic resonance technology
to measure disease activity within the
central nervous system. We now have
evidence that myelin can and does
regrow spontaneously which indicates
repair is possible. Studies are now
underway in Alberta using the body’s
own cells to repair myelin. Scientists have
also identified key molecules responsible
for initiating the abnormal immune
system response in MS. In other words,
we have identified the “culprits,” which
will help to develop better therapies.
As Michael Jordan said, teamwork
6 MS Connections Fall 2010
wins championships. Our championship
– our NBA Finals, Stanley Cup, World
Series, World Cup – is a cure for MS. To
achieve that championship, which has
eluded us so far, we know we have to
work as a team. That is the motivation
behind the endMS Research and Training
Network.
The endMS Research
and Training Network is a
nationwide initiative formed
to accelerate discovery
in the field of multiple
sclerosis in Canada. Through
innovative education and
funding programs, we aim
to attract, train and retain
MS researchers and increase
opportunities to conduct MS
research in Canada.
The endMS Network
is managed by the MS
Society of Canada and
funded through its related
MS Scientific Research
Foundation as the flagship investment of
the $60 million endMS capital campaign.
The operational hubs of the endMS
Network’s research and training activities
are its five endMS Regional Research
and Training Centres (RRTCs). Each of
these centres is comprised of multiple
academic and health institutions within a
defined geographical region.
The Alberta endMS RRTC is
comprised of the University of Alberta,
the University of Calgary, and the
University of Lethbridge. The Steering
Committee consists of researchers from
Charlotte Breakey from the University
of Calgary manages the Alberta
endMS Regional Research and Training
Centre. She says the key is getting new
MS research trainees thinking about
collaboration and networking as soon
as they begin their careers.

the three universities involved. They are
Dr. Wee Yong (U of C), Dr. Penny Smyth
(U of A), Dr. Chris Power (U of A), Dr.
Shalina Ousman (U of C), and Gerlinde
Metz (U of L). There are over 200 people
working on this project in Alberta.
The project is managed by
Charlotte Breakey from the University
of Calgary. “To have dedicated funding
to improve collaboration and training
is fantastic,” said Charlotte. “We’re
trying to open up the province through
more collaboration, networking and
a comprehensive training program in
multiple sclerosis. This is difficult to
do when researchers are already so
busy. However, if we can get trainees
thinking this way from the beginning,
there’s more hope for the future. We’re
already seeing improvements. We’re
getting people talking to each other
from diverse disciplines across the field
of multiple sclerosis.”
Dr. Wee Yong agrees. Dr. Yong
is the Director of the Alberta endMS
Dr. Yong is the Director of the Alberta
endMS RRTC. MS researchers across
Alberta and Canada, says Dr. Yong, are
able to accelerate the search for the
cause and treatment of MS.
RRTC. “The Alberta endMS RRTC allows
researchers across Alberta and Canada
to share thoughts, insights and expertise
to help accelerate the search for the
cause and treatment of MS,” he said.
Penny Smyth, a neurologist
from the University of Alberta, also
appreciates the opportunity for increased
collaboration. “The endMS RRTC has
brought together researchers across
the province of Alberta, linking research
initiatives in a concerted effort to make
inroads into understanding MS and
University of Alberta neurologist
Penny Smyth says the endMS RRTC
has enabled MS researchers to work
together like never before.
treating the disease,” she said. “It has
created impetus to collaborate across the
province in a way that really hasn’t been
done before.”
An important part of the endMS
RRTC is the availability of awards. “The
awards program allows us to recruit
new researchers to the field of MS,” said
Charlotte. “For people to know there
is dedicated funding and a network of
dedicated researchers makes it more
attractive for young researchers to work
in the field of MS.”
University of Alberta Assistant
Professor Bradley Kerr understands
the importance of recruiting young
clinicians to the field of MS research.
Bradley Kerr, an Assistant Professor
in the Dept. of Anesthesiology and Pain
Medicine at the University of Alberta,
knows the importance of recruiting
students to choose a career in MS. He
has been working with a young medical
student who received his undergraduate
degree from the University of Toronto
and is now at the U of A. Ikennah Browne
is from Trinidad and Tobago and recently
received a Summer Studentship from the
endMS Network.
“Ikennah is a young medical student
who had very little exposure to MS or
MS research before this summer,” said
Bradley. “I think he had a very positive
experience and certainly benefitted from
the endMS Summer School. He is a good
example of a young ‘clinician in training’
Ikennah Browne.
who will hopefully be steered towards
(or at least gain an appreciation of)
research in general but also MS research
more specifically. These awards certainly
allowed me the opportunity to give him
that opportunity. Without it I would
not have been able to bring him on this
summer.”
Ikennah has been fascinated by
neuroscience since he was a kid. As an
undergrad at U of T, he was introduced to
MS, but only briefly. He received an email
from Charlotte last year informing him of
the grants available through the Alberta
endMS RRTC.
“Bradley was looking for students and
I thought the opportunity was exciting
so I applied for the grant and was able
...continued on page 12
MS Connections Fall 2010 7

Membership supports your local Chapter
Join or renew today
Are there any benefits to becoming
a member of your local Chapter
or Division of The MS Society of
Canada? For the over 11,000 Albertans
living with MS, and the several thousand
more directly and indirectly affected, the
answer is a resounding ‘yes!’
The MS Society is
accountable to its
membership. Quite
simply, members
are the owners who
drive the mission
and vision. This means
that, as a member,
you have a say in the future direction of
the Society. Your voice counts in helping
the Society plan and deliver services
Thanks to a generous donation
from the Kiwanis Club of
Medicine Hat, all members of the
Southeastern Alberta Chapter of the MS
Society are able to enjoy the benefits of
an active lifestyle by participating in free
swimming. The program has benefited
many of the MS Society’s members,
including Jana Robinson who was
diagnosed with MS in 1994. Jana, who
has been swimming for 55 years, attends
the Redcliff and Medicine Hat pools
three times each week for Aquasize and
Aqualite classes or just to swim laps.
Jana enjoys many health benefits
thanks to swimming. She feels stronger
and more energized, has improved focus
and swimming puts no strain on her
muscles or joints. “Swimming keeps me
8 MS Connections Fall 2010
and programs to improve quality of life
for Albertans living with MS. A strong,
informed and vibrant organization is
better able to advocate on behalf of those
members of society
(including the
MS Society)
who are
unable to
speak for
themselves.
As a member,
you can stay informed
about not only the MS Society
but the MS community in general. You
will witness – and influence – what
is happening in our province to help
Albertans living with MS.
positive because I’m doing something I
can control, whereas with my MS I have
very little control over it,” says Jana.
Jana also says that if it was not for
the donation from the Kiwanis Club and
the collaboration of the MS Society, she
would not be able to do something that
she has loved for the last 55 years. Her
message to other people with MS is, “try
swimming, it is a great family activity and
Benefits
• Receive MS Canada, MS Connections
(Alberta’s provincial newsletter)
and your Chapter’s newsletter (if
applicable)
• Receive notices of local, provincial
and national programs and events for
people with MS
• Vote at the Annual General Meeting
• Receive discounts to participate in
some MS programs
• Receive updates on promising, new MS
research
Become a member of your local Chapter
today! Find the application at www.
mssociety.ca/alberta or call 1-800-268-
7582.
The 2011 Alberta & NWT Division
Annual General Meeting will be March
26, 2011.
Partnership enables MS Society members
to enjoy free swimming
Kiwanis Club partners with MS Society in Southeastern Alberta
“Swimming
keeps me positive
because I’m doing
something I can
control.”
Jana Robinson, who has been
swimming for 55 years, still gets
herself to the pool 3 or 4 days a week.
great for people with MS because it gives
you back some power over your illness
and will keep you in shape.”

4th Annual Charity Golf Classic raises record amount
On August 17, 2010, the
Federation of Alberta Gas Co-ops
Ltd. partnered with the Alberta
Federation of Rural Electrification
Associations Ltd. to host the
Federation Charity Golf Classic
at Goose Hummock Golf Resort,
northeast of Edmonton. For the
second year in a row, golfers had
an opportunity to “Out Drive the
Premier” on hole #16 where he and a
number of MLAs greeted everyone.
Most players made sure their drives
were either errant or short when
facing off against the Premier!
The 4th annual Golf Classic
raised $33,000 in support of
the MS Society, Alberta & NWT
Division, over $8,000 more than
the previous year!
“The Liberation Treatment”
...continued from page 3
At the beginning of September I went
to a MS meeting in the morning, then did
some physio in early afternoon, then CBC
stopped by and interviewed me and that
night I went to another MS meeting to
share my story and when asked what my
greatest improvement was I replied “I am
here. Before my Liberation I would never
have been able to do all that.”
I have no regrets as my worst days
now are better than my best days used
to be!
Anonymous
Edmonton, AB
I am a middle-aged man from the prairies,
who in 1998 received a diagnosis of
relapsing-remitting MS. This July, I
travelled to Albany, New York to have the
CCSVI procedure done at a treatment
centre there. I immediately noticed
improvements: the numbness in my hands
and feet was gone, and warmth had finally
returned to my feet. I’ve also experienced
an increased appetite and decreased
Record support from the 4th Annual Federation Charity Golf Classic! From left,
Joan Ozirny, MS Society Albert Division Board Member; Bert Paulssen, Chairman,
Federation of Alberta Gas Co-ops Ltd; Premier Ed Stelmach and his wife Marie;
Merv Rockel, President of the Alberta Federation of REAs.
headaches. I have a number of friends
who are planning to leave the country
to have the procedure done as well. It’s
unfortunate we’ve had to travel outside of
Canada to seek relief from our symptoms.
Sheldon McPherson
Lloydminster, AB
My name is Sheldon McPherson
from Lloydminster, Alberta. I had my
Liberation Treatment in Albany, New
York on August 4th. My MS is Relapsing
Remitting.
Since my treatment, I’ve noticed
several positive results. Immediately
following the procedure, the immense
fatigue I had been plagued by was gone.
And, I mean GONE. In addition, my
balance improved by probably 80%.
My left knee which had been shaky just
before the procedure was also gone!
And my urgency for the bathroom has
continued to improve ever since.
I tried several “experiments” with
leg strength and balance soon after the
procedure too! I found that only a day
after having the treatment, I could now
do a full squat which I was not able to do
only 24 hours earlier. I could now close
my eyes in the shower, without having
to hold on to the wall for balance – tears
of joy. What’s more, I could almost walk
heel toe without landing on my head.
I remember telling my wife right after
having walked the length of the hotel
room without my cane (4-5 times) as
I broke out into a complete sob, “I will
never make fun of another handicap
person ever again!” (even though I don’t
think I ever did before!)
After spending the week in Albany
we flew back home. As our children were
being dropped off from having been
at the lake for a week, it sure seemed
they had grown! I wondered too if they
would notice any changes with their dad.
I don’t know if they did, but I felt 110%
better and to me that has made all the
difference. This treatment is a miracle
for those of us with multiple sclerosis-
“eureka moment”!
MS Connections Fall 2010 9

Teresa Adams, seen here with her family of volunteers. From left, husband Grayden, daughters Amanda and Charlene and
son Cody.
Wainwright mom shares
spirit of volunteerism with
her kids
Teresa Adams and her family
have been volunteering for the
MS Society as long as her three
children can remember. When Teresa
was diagnosed in 1997 she contacted the
MS Society – Alberta & NWT Division
and they put her in contact with the
Lloydminster Chapter. In 1999 her and
her family moved to Wainwright where
Teresa continued to volunteer and helped
put together a support group. In 2000
Teresa became the President of the Battle
River Chapter Board of Directors and has
held that position ever since.
Teresa’s passion for volunteering has
been passed down to her three children,
10 MS Connections Fall 2010
“I volunteer for my
mom and uncles
and everyone I
know who has MS
and for anyone
else who may get
it.”
Cody, 22, Charlene, 16, and Amanda,
14, who all grew up being involved in
volunteering projects. “My kids helped
out with small things when they were
younger, and as they got older, they’ve
become more involved with me and the
MS Society,” says Teresa. “And without
the support of my whole family I wouldn’t
have been able to do all of this.”
Cody’s goal in working with the MS
Society is “to raise awareness for those
who have MS and for those who have
passed away because of it.” His sisters
agree wholeheartedly. “You’re helping
out, you know something important is
going to come out of it,” says Charlene.

“I volunteer for my mom and uncles and
everyone I know who has MS and for
anyone else who may get it,” she says.
Amanda echoes her sister’s declaration.
“I know that whatever I’m doing to
volunteer is going towards a good cause.”
“There are
so many
misconceptions;
I like to tell them
the way it is with
MS.”
Their family has always been close
and Teresa believes that volunteering has
helped her kids understand a little more
about MS and what might happen to her
in the future as her disease progresses.
And while Teresa loves to volunteer
for events, her favourite part is still
talking with people. “There are so many
misconceptions; I like to tell them the
way it is with MS, and if it comes from
someone with MS, they take your word
for it. I really enjoy helping people and
seeing smiles on their faces, and to visit
those who have no one else.”
Charlene Adams (left) and friend
Seanna Scott dressed up for the A&W
Cruisin’ for a Cause day and, in classic
fashion, delivered food orders straight
to the cars!
Peer Link Expansion
Just a call or email away
The MS Society – Alberta & NWT
Division is expanding its Peer
Link service to include
all of Alberta. Volunteers
Alvina and Jeannine are
ready to respond to
any questions you
have about your MS
diagnosis, where you
can find services,
and how to help your
family adjust to the
challenges you face. Persons living with
MS, families, health professionals and
staff are welcome to call or e-mail. You
will receive a call or e-mail back within a
reasonable timeframe of about two days
to a week.
Alvina lives with MS and has
provided support at the Division
office for many years.
Jeannine has worked
with the MS Clinic as
the Nurse Coordinator
and at the Edmonton
Chapter on their Client
Services team.
Alvina Hughes
780-475-8255
alvina.hughes@mssociety.ca
Jeannine Christopherson
jeannine.christopherson@mssociety.ca
MS Support Groups in Alberta
Battle River /Wainwright — call Teresa at 780-755-2226.
Boyle Area — call Deloris at 780-689-4300.
Brooks — call the Southeastern Chapter office at 403-529-6797.
Calgary — call (403) 250-7090 for further information.
Cold Lake/Lakeland — call Suzanne at 780-639-4145.
Drumheller — call Karen at 403-820-7863.
Edmonton — call 780-471-3034 for further information.
Elk Point — call 780-724-2430 for further information.
Fairview — call 780-835-4868 for further information.
Hinton — call Aileen at 1-800-268-7582 for further information.
Lethbridge — call (403) 328-7002 for further information.
Lloydminster — call (780) 871-0513 for further information.
Medicine Hat — call (403) 529-6797 for further information.
Pincher Creek /Crowsnest — call 403-627-2106 for further information.
Red Deer — call (403) 346-0290 for further information.
South Peace/Grande Prairie — call 780-532-3204 for further information.
St. Paul — call Denise at 780-645-3441 ext 226 for further information.
Tofield — MS Support Group last Wednesday of the month.
7 pm to 8:30 pm. Tofield Health Unit.
Vegreville — call 780-632-2848 for further information.
Yellowknife — call Shawn at 867-445-4372.
MS Connections Fall 2010 11

Teamwork
...continued from page 7
to work here over the summer. It was a
great experience. I love the lab and the
research setting here.” As for where he
sees himself in the future, Ikennah says
“Definitely neurology; this experience has
further seeded that idea in my head.”
The Alberta endMS RRTC receives
an annual operating budget of $100,000.
In addition to this, the project also
received a grant of $1.5 million from the
Government of Alberta in 2007. “With
more funding comes greater depth and
breadth of MS research, more people
working in the MS field with greater
knowledge, more talented trainees
being recruited and a higher likelihood
of breakthroughs in MS” said Charlotte.
“Without expanding and sharing the
work our researchers are doing, progress
would not proceed as rapidly. We have
to learn to be broader spectrum in our
approaches.”
Technology plays a role in sharing
knowledge and increasing collaboration.
Charlotte coordinates monthly web
conferences among the researchers and
trainees in the Alberta endMS RRTC. “We
are also looking into software that would
allow us to share and work collaboratively
on files, talk to each other and share
video online,” she said.
“With this project we have really
enhanced our opportunity for success,”
said Charlotte. “We have enhanced the
profile of MS research. We’ve been able
to bring in new trainees and researchers
who might have otherwise chosen a
different field of study. We are changing
the way researchers work together. We’re
attracting more expert MS speakers to
the province, and we’re helping to keep
people motivated and excited about
MS research and the potential for new
treatments and a cure.”
For more information on the Alberta
endMS RRTC, visit www.endmsnetwork.
ca. For more information on the endMS
campaign, visit endms.ca.
12 MS Connections Fall 2010
Ask
Jeannine
When I have MS how
do I answer questions
about my health?
Answer: When you are with other people
and mention that you are tired, often
people who don’t have MS will respond
that they are also tired. This can be
frustrating for you because anyone with
MS knows that general fatigue which
everyone can have is not equivalent to
MS fatigue. If you have symptoms or
concerns you want to share with others
it may be important to share with a peer
who has MS. In general, when you are
greeted by a person who says “How are
you?” he doesn’t want to know your
specific symptoms so perhaps it would
be better just to say you are well unless
you are meeting a very close friend.
Is there a link between
optic disc pallor and
optic neuritis? What
are the lasting effects
of optic neuritis?
Answer: Yes, there is a link. When the
neurologist looks into the eye with his
opthalmoscope he sees pallor at the
back of the eye. This depends on the
Jeannine Christopherson, a MS nurse and retired
Outreach Coordinator with the MS Society, Edmonton
Chapter, will answer your questions about MS.
If you would like to ask Jeannine a question, email it to
info.alberta@mssociety.ca or call the editor,
Angie Mah, at 780-463-1190 or 1-800-268-7582.
severity of optic neuritis meaning how
much inflammation occurred in the
myelin of the optic nerve resulting in
demyelination.
The result of optic nerve damage
would be vision loss or blurred vision.
My mother has MS and
needs a walker and
bathroom equipment,
where do I go to get
these items?
Answer: You or your mother may call
her local homecare office to ask for an
assessment. Someone will come to her
home and help decide what equipment is
needed. If she is an Alberta resident this
will be provided by Alberta Aids to Daily
Living (AADL) with funding provided by
the Alberta Government. The assessment
must be done and the equipment ordered
by an AADL authorizer. This is a cost
share program. For more details go to
www.msinfowiki.ca.
For more details
go to www.
msinfowiki.ca.

Mom with MS inspires
son to create big
challenges, with big
results
People from all over Canada climb some of the world’s best-known mountains
Ever want to hike the Great Wall of
China, safari through Kilimanjaro,
or trek to the Everest base camp?
With the help of the MS Climb, you can
not only do all of that, but raise money for
an excellent cause!
Ralph Cochrane,
organizer of the MS
Climb, first got the
idea while taking a
year off from work
to travel around
the world. “I’d
done fundraising
for the MS Society
for years and was
looking for a bigger
challenge,” said
Cochrane. “My
mom had MS,
which is how I
started fundraising
and I wanted to
accomplish two
things: one, I didn’t
want another
young mother to go
through that, and
two, I didn’t want
another child to
have to either. It’s a
terrible disease and with enough money
put in the right places, a cure will be
found. I wanted to make a big impact.”
And he is. The MS Climb’s five-year goal
is to raise $1 million. Starting in 2007, the
MS Climb has already raised more than
$700,000.
There are multiple climbs you can
sign up for, and a limit of 20 people per
climb. This year the MS Climb is hosting
four climbs: the Inca Trail (Peru); Everest
Basecamp (Nepal); Great Wall of China;
and Kili (Tanzania). Each climb has a
different fundraising cost associated
Ralph Cochrane, who lives in Toronto, is all smiles while hiking the Inca
Trail in Peru.
with it, and the cost includes some of
your food, accommodations, domestic
transportation, climbs and tour guides,
but does not cover the flights there and
back.
People from all over Canada have
caught wind of this amazing challenge,
including Roxanne Gural from Edmonton.
This year marks her second year
participating and she is enthusiastic
about her experience. “I absolutely
loved the experience of climbing Mount
Kilimanjaro in 2009. While fundraising
in Edmonton, I was very touched by the
stories many donors
shared with me,
so I am dedicating
my MS Climb 2010
of Mount Everest
Basecamp to the
people of Edmonton
living with MS. I
highly recommend the
experience of the MS
Climb, especially to
people who have done
an activity like the Bike
Tour every year and
want to do something
different.”
Ron Vermeulen
from Calgary is doing
the Mount Kilimanjaro,
Tanzania climb in
October. “By being a
part of this climb, I am
able to raise funds and
awareness for MS in
support of two very
good friends, fulfill a
personal promise to myself and complete
an item from my ‘bucket list,’ and last but
not least celebrate my 50th birthday in
style on the very day we are scheduled to
approach the summit.”
Registration for the 2011 trips will
open this fall, and the trip dates are
confirmed for September and October of
2011. Find out more at www.msclimb.ca.
MS Connections Fall 2010 13

Four-year-old’s family faces
rare diagnosis
Abigail Bartolome knew she’d have
her hands full with the arrival of
twins, but nothing could prepare
her for the scare she’d receive just a few
years after their birth. John and James
Bartolome were typical three-year-old
boys, twin siblings who spent their days
playing with five-year-old ‘big’ brother,
Raphael, at their home in the Philippines.
Last December, things changed.
Over the course of several days, Abigail
noticed something wasn’t right with
Abigail noticed
something wasn’t
right with John.
His walking was
slowed and he’d
practically lost his
voice.
John. His walking was slowed and he’d
practically lost his voice – for a child
who was typically very active and vocal,
this change immediately set off alarm
bells. He’d also lost sensation in his
right arm. Abigail rushed her son to the
doctor, thinking the problem was likely
orthopaedic. But upon examination,
she was told John needed to see a
neurologist. Following an MRI and a
lumbar puncture, the doctors could not
confirm it was MS, but diagnosed 3-yearold
John with Demyelinating Disease. He
was placed on steroid treatment and, to
the relief of his family and neurologist,
was back to his usual self in just a few
days.
14 MS Connections Fall 2010
In May 2010 the family moved from
their home in the Philippines to Canada,
settling in Lloydminster. When their
neurologist heard they were coming to
Canada, she told them
they were going to
‘the right place’, given
this country’s long
history of MS research
and familiarity with
demyelination.
John’s diagnosis
would mark a permanent
departure from the
family’s normal life.
Abigail says she has to
watch John very closely
now, as new symptoms
could arise at any time.
They’re also keeping an
extra close eye on John’s
twin, James. Abigail says
she’s tried to explain to
John’s brothers a little bit
about his condition, but
admits it’s hard getting
through to children so
young.
The mother of
five says she’s easily
worried now, taking extra
caution when it comes to
John’s movements and
mannerisms. Abigail
says she’s also learned to be more patient
with John, now four, her experience with
his attack having taught her it’s not worth
‘sweating the small stuff.’
While the move to Canada has
been a bit jarring for the children,
they’re slowly adjusting to their new
environment. For Abigail, though,
awareness of John’s condition and
the chance of returning symptoms is
ever-present. One of her first steps
upon relocating to Lloydminster was
contacting the local MS Society for
support. They are currently awaiting a
John’s older brother, Raphael, takes a swing at a
piñata at the Lloydminster MS Society’s fiestathemed
summer picnic this July.
visit with a neurologist in Edmonton, at
which point she hopes they will receive
more answers.
For a family facing the reality of
a demyelinating disease diagnosis
at such a young age, they remain
remarkably upbeat – an outlook that
will no doubt serve them well as they
continue on the unpredictable journey
that lies ahead.

AMBASSADOR PROFILE
Building a volunteer base in
Fort McMurray
A United Voice for the
Cause and Cure
Melanee Framp
Fort McMurray, AB
Melanee Framp first heard of the
MS Society as a teenager living
in Newfoundland. Her Mom
was diagnosed with MS when Melanee
was 4 years old and at age 13 while
looking for more information, she got in
touch with her local MS Society chapter.
To provide information about Multiple
Sclerosis to Melanee and her family, the
MS Society sent them all to a conference
in Halifax. Being that this was Melanee’s
one and only memories of a family trip
out of the province, not only was it eye
opening to see new sights, but also this
is where Melanee first began to really
understand about MS and the issues and
realities of the disease.
In 2003, Melanee moved to Fort
McMurray, Alberta for her career and
decided to start volunteering; the
MS Society was a perfect fit. “I felt I
could make a difference here in Alberta
volunteering my time, so I joined the
MS Society. Don’t get me wrong
donating your money is awesome,
but I think donating your time goes a
lot further”. Melanee became an MS
Ambassador just over a year ago and,
for Melanee, the most important part
of being an ambassador is being an
awareness advocate for people with
MS in her community and providing
the resources to find support at the MS
Society. “As an MS Ambassador you are
provided regularly with the information
and tools in a weekly email that keep
you connected to what’s current with
MS programs, events, and research.”
Melanee feels that there is strength in
numbers and that is one of the reasons
she joined the MS Ambassador program
in the first place. “It is so important
because it takes a team to make a
difference, and I feel like being a part of
the MS Ambassador ‘team’ with other
ambassadors can only help to us in our
cause; to end MS.”
In addition to being an Ambassador,
Melanee also volunteers her time with
the Fort McMurray MS Walk as Chair of
the organizing committee since 2009.
“In Fort McMurray my favorite event is
the MS Walk because I get to meet and
talk to community members whose lives
are affected by MS and to let them know
about the resources available to them
at the MS Society.” The walk is one of
the many benefits to volunteering her
time “it is emotionally uplifting to see the
community come together to support
people with MS, it makes me proud of
where I chose to live, Fort McMurray.”
One thing Melanee notices about
living in Fort McMurray is that she often
struggles with a long-term volunteer base
at her events, and would like to challenge
anyone in the Fort McMurray area to
donate 1-2 hours a month to ensure a
successful event season!
President’s
message
...continued from page 2
fundraising practices and motives. Such
attacks have of course been made on
the medical community, on researchers
and on clinicians. Everyone I know who
is working in this field is trying to do the
right thing and rebalance the debate to
reflect the importance of the patient’s
voice in these deliberations.
In closing, the MS Society is prepared
to do its part in helping solve the CCSVI
issue and I think we have done that.
There’s no doubt in my mind that the
Federal and Provincial governments will
be there to provide matching funds and
support if clinical trials are warranted.
And as both the Federal and Alberta
Health Minister have said, this will take
months and not years to determine.
All of us at the Society sincerely hope
that CCSVI opens up a new pathway
for treating MS. But our efforts can’t
stop here; early indications suggest that
the Liberation Treatment likely isn’t the
cure that people thought. Moreover,
the treatment doesn’t seem to work for
everyone. Perhaps the controversy has
raised the importance of needing to do
much more to accelerate MS research in
general so that we don’t risk putting all
of our eggs in one basket at the expense
of the broader research approach. It is
somewhat fortunate and timely that a
recent finding in genetic research at the
University of Alberta reminds us that the
scientific discovery process can result
in unexpected and exciting results (see
story on page 4).
Neil Pierce
President
Alberta & Northwest Territories Division
MS Connections Fall 2010 15

New column addresses
barrier-free design
issues for your home
Local expert in barrier-free design answers your
questions
Are you considering making
renovations to
your home
or purchasing a
new home to
accommodate
changes in
mobility due to
MS? Do you have
questions about
where to start and
what to look for?
Ron Wickman, a
local architect who
specializes in barrierfree
design, can help
answer some of your questions.
Ron specializes in providing
consulting services for persons with
disabilities and for projects focused
16 MS Connections Fall 2010
on affording individuals with
disabilities greater choices
for independent movement.
He is responsible for
over 100 new house
or home renovation
projects designed
to accommodate
residents with
disabilities. He is also
committed to providing
affordable, accessible
and adaptable housing
and has won
several housing
competitions.
Send your questions
for Ron to info.alberta@
mssociety.ca or call Angie Mah at 780-
463-1190 or 1-800-268-7582.
Moving forward
together with
the Alberta
Government
MS Connector Services
Committee gets started
Representatives from the MS
Society, Alberta & NWT Division,
met with the Alberta Minister of
Health and Wellness, Gene Zwozdesky,
on March 29, 2010. After three years of
meetings and planning with countless
ministers and government officials, the
MS Society is pleased to announce that
Minister Zwozdesky indicated he is
willing to create a “Connector Services
Committee” to develop a new model for
the delivery of MS-related services in
Alberta.
The Connector Services Committee
will meet in September and begin
addressing the priorities identified at
our MS Stakeholders’ Forum in October
2008.
Working with government on
this initiative will be a major strategic
direction of Alberta Division. An
Edmonton Journal article on August
17, 2010 highlighted the Committee’s
objectives: “Alberta’s working group
will largely focus on broader treatment
issues, such as how best to serve the
needs of young people with MS, who
often wind up in long-term care centres
with seniors because there are no ageappropriate
facilities to look after their
needs.
“It’s something the department
wants to work on,” said John Tuckwell of
Alberta Health and Wellness, adding that
the group will also provide policy advice.
We will provide more information
about the Connector Services Committee
as it becomes available.
Read more at http://bit.ly/9HzU6J

Shawn Anderson
Toefield, AB
No photo
available
Jennifer Pratt
Sherwood Park, AB
Kristina Berg
Valleyview, AB
Michael Reynolds
Calgary, AB
Amanda Berns
Valleyview, AB
2010
Shanda Berns
Valleyview, AB
Adrianne Shepherd
Botha, AB
Verlyn Leopatra
Calgary, AB
Dominic Yassin
Sherwood Park, AB
Erin Petersun
Calgary, AB
Cameron de Wolf
Bow Island, AB
MS Scholarship
Winners
The MS Society of Canada Scholarship
Program, supported by Billy Talent and
Friends, is a post-secondary scholarship
program for teens and young adults in
Canada who have MS or who have a parent
with MS. Here are the Alberta scholarship
recipients for 2010. For more information
on the MS Society of Canada Scholarship
Program, visit www.mssociety.ca.
MS Connections Fall 2010 17

Accessible holidays open a new
world of travel opportunities
Couple enjoy accessible holiday in Ecuador
Travelling around the world can
be an amazing experience, but
when you’re travelling with MS
it can sometimes be challenging to
find accessible places to stay, eat, and
enjoy the natural surroundings. Ron and
Laurie-Jo Sales had always dreamed of
visiting Ecuador. This year they decided
to turn that dream into a reality. After
spending a couple weeks touring Ecuador
on their own, they decided to contact
a company that specializes in tours for
persons with disabilities. They scheduled
“We were able to
enjoy it together,
instead of me being
the caregiver.”
a one-day tour that changed their holiday
experience. “They were fantastic,” says
Laurie-Jo. “We were able to enjoy
it together, instead of me being the
caregiver. Instead of me being on duty,
I was on a holiday with my husband. It
was that different, that changing.”
Ron agrees, “Juan Maranon, our
tour guide with Ecuador for All, knew all
of the best places to go and eat. It was
such a wonderful country. The weather
was nice, food was great, and we liked
it so much we’re building a house on
the Pacific coast right now.” The fully
accessible house will cost Ron and
Laurie-Jo approximately $160,000 to
build and furnish, and they’ll spend three
months of each year in Ecuador.
Juan is not only a tour guide, he is
also a co-owner of the company Ecuador
for All. “We usually do all-inclusive 11day
tours, but even if it was for only one
day, it was very exciting to help Ron and
Laurie-Jo discover the Andes and visit the
18 MS Connections Fall 2010
Otavalo handicraft market and leather
shops in Cotacachi,” he says. Juan and
his business partner Pablo undertook the
challenge to create accessible touring
after they were inspired by a gentleman
with MS who was determined to travel
around the country regardless of his
limitations. Their idea was to “create
tours where local and international
people with disabilities could discover
and enjoy Ecuador, without limitation
and in a safe way,” says Juan. And so
they have! For more information on
Ecuador for All, visit their website at
www.ecuadorforall.com or contact Juan
directly at juanfm@ecuadorforall.com.
Healthy eating, along with active
living and a good night’s sleep, help
create a healthy and balanced life.
Healthy eating can help increase
your energy and improve health.
The registered dietitians at Balance
Nutrition can help you get started
and provide accountability along
the way. Whether you want to
improve your overall health or
are trying to manage a health
condition, a Registered Dietitian
from Balance Nutrition can help!
For more information call
780-450-9134 or visit
www.balancenutrition.ca/
What’s New on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube?
CCSVI
Interested in CCSVI? Visit “MS Society Alberta ccsvi.”
• A message from the Alberta and Northwest Territories Division President
• Fixing Foot Drop - Health News Story - WFTV Orlando
• YouTube: William Watson Lodge 2010 (Kananaskis)
• MS Ambassador - Sara Morrison
William Wat s o n lo d g e
A gorgeous retreat for people affected by MS
September 20 - 23, 2010
MS clients, spouses and caregivers visited
William Watson Lodge at Kananaskis, Alberta.
Every year the MS Society hosts this important retreat that allows people with MS to
experience Alberta’s mountain parks. See their stories on YouTube.
Search “William Watson Lodge 2010”
If you would like a copy of this video on disc, please contact Angie Mah at
angie.mah@mssociety.ca or by phone at 780-440-8768.

A&W and The MS Society of
Canada team up for 2nd Annual
Cruisin’ for a Cause Day!
We’re very excited to report that $710,000 was raised across Canada from our
partnership with A&W - Cruisin’ for a Cause. On August 26, 2010, people from
coast to coast to coast ate a Teen Burger to show their support for people in their
community living with MS. A&W donated $1 to the MS Society from the sale of each
Teen Burger. Money raised in each community stays in the community to support local
programs and services. Thank you to everyone who ate a Teen Burger or purchased a
car cut-out or wristband, or just made a donation. Your support means a lot.
Bonnyville / Cold Lake
Lloydminster
Calgary
2011
Enerflex MS Walks
Brooks June 5
Calgary June 5
Drumheller May 1
Edmonton May 15
Fort McMurray May 1
Grande Prairie Apr 30
Lethbridge April 16
Lloydminster April 23
Medicine Hat May 29
Red Deer May 29
St. Albert May 1
St. Paul/Lakeland May 7
2011
RONA MS
Bike Tours
Leduc to Camrose
June 11 & 12
Calgary
June 11 & 12
Central (Red Deer)
June 11 & 12
Mountain (Hinton)
Sept. 10 & 11
MS Connections Fall 2010 19

Leading By Example
The Most Tax-Effective Donation
A Gift of Securities to the MS Society
Since the Federal Government
eliminated the capital gains tax on
donations of stock and securities
to registered charities, including the MS
Society, donations of shares have become
increasingly popular. Why such interest?
Because as a donor, you do not pay any
capital gains tax on the increase in the
value of the shares donated, and a tax
receipt is provided for the full value of the
securities.
This incentive to donate listed
securities has allowed many donors to
increase the value of their donation to
the MS Society. Securities that have
appreciated provide the means to make a
significant, low-cost gift.
The process is very straight forward,
with just three steps:
1. Contact your broker, accountant
or financial advisor to discuss your
intention
2. Download and complete the
MS Society’s Security Transfer
Information Form found on www.
mssociety.ca in “Donate Now.” In the
menu on the left, choose “Learn about
our giving options” and then “Gifts of
stocks or securities.”
STAY INFORMED!
The MS Society is committed
to reaching out to all Albertans
with MS. If you know someone
who would like to receive
a complimentary copy of MS
Connections, please call us at
1-800-268-7582.
Publications Mail Agreement 40064145
Return undeliverable items to:
MS Society of Canada
Alberta & Northwest Territories Division
#150, 9405 - 50 St, Edmonton T6B 2T4
20 MS Connections Fall 2010
3. Ask your broker to transfer the shares
you are donating to the MS Society’s
brokerage account.
A charitable tax receipt will be
forwarded to you for the full value of the
shares, based on the closing value on
the day the shares were received. For
your information, the MS Society’s policy
is to sell the shares as soon as they are
received.
For more information, please contact:
George Jacob, Director, Leadership Giving
MS Society of Canada, Alberta & NWT
Division
Ph. 403-250-7090
Email: george.jacob@mssociety.ca
MS
Corporate
Heroes
Be An MS Corporate Hero
Join The Challenge and Walk, Bike or Golf to End MS
The Mission: The MS Society of Canada, Alberta & NWT Division, is reaching
out to the Edmonton business community to help lead the fight against MS.
The Challenge: Be an MS Corporate Hero by registering a staff team to
participate in the Enerflex MS Walk, RONA MS Bike Tour or The Brick MS Drive
Fore A Cure – Golf Tournament!
The funds you raise will support Canadian MS research and help provide
programs and support for people affected by MS in your community.
The Reward: Your entire corporate team will get an exclusive invitation to the
MS Corporate Heroes Celebration Mixer!