Issue 3
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Alabama-Mississippi Chapter
2016
IN THIS ISSUE
MS CONNECTION
STAND
AGAINST MS
STARTING JUNE 18
2
Spotlight on
CHRISTIAN GONZALEZ
Research 4
2016
Leadership
Class &
EOW
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SUMMER’S SWEETEST TRADITION MAKES A BIG
DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF CHILDREN
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
MS Scholarships
to the Alabama-Mississippi Chapter.
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Funds raised help the AlabamaMississippi 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
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MS in MOTION the cost to attend camp is $30 for one
&
camper and $25 for each additional child
MS Service Day in the family. All meals and lodging are
included.
Look Who’s
Bell said hosting a Stand is easy – the Chapter will provide you with
Joined the
everything you need to get started including cans of lemonade,
Movement
7 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
2016 Bike MS 8 205-879-8546 or visit www.nationalMSsociety.org/alc.
2016 BOARD OF TRUSTEES
SPOTLIGHT ON
George Trible, Chair, Wells Fargo
Hafiz Chandiwala, Immediate Past Chair
Coca-Cola Bottling Company United
Lynn Lovelady, Vice Chair,
Energen Corporation
Meredith Calhoun, Secretary,
Corporate Realty Associates
Trey Clegg, Treasurer, Brasfield & Gorrie
MS RESEARCHER AND ACTIVIST
Khurram Bashir, MD, UAB
John Bentley, Renasant Bank
Terry Brown, HealthSouth
Shannon Clemons, Bentley Systems, Inc.
Scott Crawford, PhD,
Disability Rights Advocate
Tara DeSilva, PhD, UAB
John Dukes, Helmsing Leach Herlong
Edmond Hughes, Ingalls Shipbuilding
Inge Johnstone, Johnstone Carroll, LLC
Debbie King, Consultant
Doug Jones, Entergy
Todd Lankford, Robins & Morton
Christopher Leech, Regions Financial Corp.
Charley Long, IV, Retired
Frank McPhillips, Maynard,
Cooper & Gale, PC
J. Marshall Morrissette, III,
BlueCross BlueShield of Alabama
Stacie Propst, PhD, Consultant
Steve Reed, Go To Market Solutions
Emily Riser, MD, Tanner Center for MS
Thomas Rockwell, Rockwell & Kaufman, LLC
Dave Smith, Regions Financial Corp.
Craig Snell, Carr, Riggs & Ingram
Mark Tarr, HealthSouth
Lee Weathers, Retired
Mitch White, Diamond Gasoline Stations
Pat Wylie, Mississippi Power
CHRISTIAN GONZALEZ
Christian Gonzalez may only be 16, but he is already 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 Shelby 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 activists can have during the legislative process.”
CHAPTER ADVOCATES HELP DRIVE
CHANGE AT PUBLIC POLICY CONFERENCE
During The National MS Society’s 25th annual Public 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 congressional 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 [email protected] or visit
our website at www.nationalMSsociety.org/alc .
CHAPTER AWARDS 17 SCHOLARSHIPS
TO STUDENTS AFFECTED BY MS
THE ALABAMA-MISSISSIPPI CHAPTER AWARDED 17 SCHOLARSHIPS TO
DESERVING STUDENTS ACROSS ALABAMA AND MISSISSIPPI.
“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 MS
pursue a post-secondary education nationwide
since 2003.
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.
“Thanks to the generosity of Wells Fargo and our
Not pictured: Jonathan Cole, Andrew Garcia,
constituents’ fundraising efforts, our Chapter
Jada Gildersleeve and Matthew Powers.
CLASS OF 2016
CONGRATULATIONS!
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JOIN THE MOVEMENT: nationalMSsociety.org
RESEARCH
A RARE GLIMPSE
A 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 MRIdetected lesions, he or she has a lower likelihood
of developing MS.
A “SILENT” SYNDROME
Some 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
STUDIES USING MRI SCANS MAY HELP IDENTIFY MS EARLIER.
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. ■
therapies (DMTs) have led to approvals for
their use to treat CIS. However, there is
debate as to whether people with RIS would
TOLL FREE NUMBER 1-800-344-4867
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MS
IN
MOTION
HELPS PARTICIPANTS OVERCOME CHALLENGES
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.
WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES:
REGIONS EMPLOYEES COMPLETE MS SERVICE DAY
Volunteers from Regions Bank recently joined forces to make life
better for two Oxford, Miss. residents affected by MS.
“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.”
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.
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JOIN THE MOVEMENT: nationalMSsociety.org
2016 EVENING OF WINES
SETS NEW RECORD
The 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.
TOLL FREE NUMBER 1-800-344-4867
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LOOK WHO’S JOINED THE MOVEMENT
RENEE BOYD
Six 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.
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.
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 THORNE
Homewood 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
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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.
JOIN THE MOVEMENT: nationalMSsociety.org
Alabama-Mississippi Chapter
813 Shades Creek Parkway
Suite 100-B
Birmingham, AL 35209
JOIN THE MOVEMENT ON
FACEBOOK, TWITTER,
YOUTUBE, & INSTAGRAM
National MS Society Alabama-Mississippi Chapter
@ALMS_NMSS
www.youtube.com/user/alcnmss
endMS