Summer 2011 - Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada

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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 2011 Board of Directors Chair: James Orr 1st Vice Chair: Carey Mogdan 2nd Vice Chair: Kevin O’Neil Treasurer: Gayelene Bonenfant Secretary: Joan Ozirny MEMBERS-AT-LARGE Phil Clarke Hazel Flewwelling Melanee Framp Darrel Frisken Wayne Jacques Jason Kaye Lynne Sangster Doreen Saunderson Jessica Williams HONOURARY DIRECTOR (Non-voting) Judy Gordon 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 Summer 2011 Declining Walk revenues present challenge MS Bike Tours remain strong I wish to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank the thousands of event participants and volunteers throughout Alberta who came out this year to support the 12 Enerflex MS Walks and three RONA MS Bike Tours in the spring. Feedback from participants was extremely positive. Proceeds raised from the walks and bike tours represent the majority of our revenue which we use to provide programs and services for Albertans living with MS. The two largest bike tours, Leduc to Camrose and Airdrie to Olds, did extremely well and are likely to exceed the amount that was raised last year. The walks, on the other hand, experienced a fairly significant decline in participants and money raised. Judging from what we know about the charitable giving sector in general, this should not have come as such a big surprise, given the slow economic recovery, competition with other events, and other factors that are less apparent. The decline in walk revenues is of concern because, in general, most of the participants have a direct connection to MS and therefore have the most at stake. Their close connection to the disease means that they are impacted, either directly or indirectly, by the level of services we are able to provide and the number of MS research projects we are able to fund. “Their close connection to the disease means that they are impacted...by the level of services we are able to provide....” I welcome your comments and opinions which can help us make changes to the walks in order to increase participation and revenue. It’s important that we get a handle on this so we can recover the decline in revenues next year that affect our ability to advance the MS cause in Alberta and across the country. To do this, we will need everyone’s help. Neil Pierce President Alberta & Northwest Territories Division
MS Friendly Visiting program provides vital outreach The MS Friendly Visiting program provides informal support for persons with MS who live in continuing care. The program provides support, awareness of community resources, shared activities, and in some cases a means of respite care for caregivers of persons with MS. Larissa (right) and Mary share a conversation during a recent visit. Mary is a resident at CapitalCare Dickinsfield in Edmonton. “Larissa has been part of my life for about a year and a half. She is invaluable to me, and the time that I spend with her is precious. I can’t read anymore, so she’s my eyes, and she fully comes through for me. I think we’ve become pretty good friends. It’s just precious, precious time.” - Mary Erin Ferguson (right) visits Barb Imbrogno, a resident at Dr. Vernon Fanning Centre in Calgary. “I really look forward to my visits with Erin. It is always nice to hear her stories and keep updated on what she has been up to.” - Barb Kristin Munro (left) visits Fay Wallace, a resident at Dr. Vernon Fanning Centre in Calgary. “The program has been a very rewarding experience. It has been great to get to know Fay and I really think we learn a lot from each other.” - Kristin “Kristin is very nice and kind and I always look forward to seeing her.” - Fay MS Connections Summer 2011 3
Page 1: A newsletter connecting Albertans w
Page 5 and 6: During the weekend of June 3-5, 19
Page 7 and 8: Alberta Student A BRIGHT LIGHT Brie
Page 9 and 10: The Hay Lakes lunch stop, hosted by
Page 11 and 12: My MS A personal account of one per
Page 13 and 14: St. Paul man makes huge impact in L
Page 15 and 16: Ask Jeannine When do I need an indw
Page 17 and 18: option is to use a bathtub with a d
Page 19 and 20: ! ! ! Safeway Pharmacy MS Connectio

Summer 2011 - Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada

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