Summer 2014
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
MS Connection Newsletter
Colorado-Wyoming Chapter
Colorado-Wyoming Chapter
SPECIAL Bike MS ISSUE
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
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COGNIFITNESS
MS and Exercise
Walk MS 2014 RECAP
5280 Dines Supports MS
Letter From the President Dear Friends, As I attend our signature outdoor fundraising events each year— whether I’m walking, hiking, cycling or cheering on participants as they take on muddy obstacles—I am constantly struck by the depth and spirit of commitment of the MS community and our supporters to defeat this disease. The thousands of people across Colorado and Wyoming who donate or contribute funds in honor or memory of a loved one and/or raise funds by participating in Bike MS, Walk MS, Hike MS and MuckFest MS are a brilliant reflection of the momentum that is generating more treatments and will one day end MS forever.
MS doesn’t The same inspiring take a break determination to prevail over and neither MS can also be found among do we. our program attendees, the scholars we fund and volunteers who are helping others while accomplishing personal feats they never imagined. Some of their stories are shared in this newsletter: • the lifelong musician now dealing with cognitive issues and memory loss was helped by the Chapter’s CogniFitness program, which gave him tools and resources to connect the notes and continue to play; • the scholarship recipients who are pursing their educational dreams and see a bright future; • the locomotive engineer whose career was sidelined by MS, who became a personal fitness trainer and is now preparing for a body
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Newsletter Distribution—If you have a change of address or would like to receive MS Connection electronically, please call 800344-4867.
building competition; and • people living with MS who have found ways to continue their joy of worldwide travel. In addition to our fun and successful events, it’s important to remember that the Chapter offers many resources, including classes on topics ranging from cognitive fitness and care management to Nordic pole walking and living well. This fall, make a commitment to stay connected. Take advantage of the diverse education programs offered, attend a support group, set out to be your personal best by exercising and making beneficial nutritional choices or volunteer your time. MS doesn’t take a break and neither do we. Thanks to all of our donors, sponsors, volunteers and staff, whose steadfast support aids our ability to offer outstanding educational programs and resources, advocate on behalf of the MS community and to once again contribute more than $1 million to the Society’s promising research. Hand-in-hand we are committed to maintaining th momentum that will ultimately end MS forever!
Sincerely,
Carrie H. Nolan President
If you or someone you know has MS—Studies show that early and ongoing treatment with an FDAapproved therapy can reduce future disease activity and improve quality of life for many people with multiple sclerosis. Talk to your health care professional, or contact the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) to learn about ways to help manage multiple sclerosis and about the current research that may one day reveal a cure. The NMSS does not endorse products, services or manufacturers. Such names appear here solely because they are considered valuable information. The NMSS assumes no liability for the use of contents of any product or service mentioned. Information provided by the NMSS is based on professional advice and expert opinion. Information provided in response to questions do not constitute therapeutic recommendations or prescriptions. The NMSS recommends that all questions and information be discussed with a personal physician. The NMSS is dedicated to a world free of MS. ©2014 National Multiple Sclerosis Society, ColoradoWyoming Chapter Chapter President Carrie H. Nolan Board of Trustees Kyle Ocasek, Chair Brandt Wilkins, Immediate Past Chair Kathryn Spritzer, Secretary Rob Hartnett, Treasurer Alison "Brooke" Allen, MD Carl Berglind Whit Conant John Corboy, MD Claudia Curry Hill Chris Doerr John Sibley Shauna Giddings Schmitz Marley Hodgson III Carin Knickel Craig Lopez Deborah O’Neil Richard Raymond, MD Travis White Jo Wilson Emeritus Trustees George Garmany, MD Ralph Holden David Lord Janet Savage
MS connection: SUMMER 2014
IN THE NEWS EVENTS SAVE THE DATE
ANNUAL MEETING 2014
Colorado-Wyoming Chapter Annual Meeting Teleconference October 16 • 6:30 – 8 pm The Annual Meeting is an opportunity to hear about the Chapter's progress in 2014 and its vision for the future. This year, Dr. James Salzer, Professor of Cell Biology and Neurology at New York University, will present his research on increasing the production of cells that can repair the nervous system damaged by MS.
Order of Business: • Approval of slate of Board of Trustees • Report from Chair of the Board of Trustees and Chapter President • Treasurer's Report
Nominations for Board of Trustees Being Accepted If you or someone you know would like to be considered as a candidate for the Chapter’s Board of Trustees, send a letter of interest to:
Ms. Carla Smart National MS Society Colorado-Wyoming Chapter 900 S Broadway, Suite 250 • Denver, CO 80209 You may also email your letter to carla.smart@nmss.org. Please use subject line “Nomination for Board of Trustees." All letters must be received by September 1, 2014.
Golden Circle Research Reception
NEW BOARD Trustee Jason Sibley Jason Sibley, CPA, audit partner with McGladrey LLP, has been elected to the board of trustees of the ColoradoWyoming Chapter, National MS Society. McGladrey LLP ranks as the fifth largest provider of accounting, tax and business consulting services in the U.S. Sibley is the partner-in-charge of McGladrey’s Denver assurance practice located in downtown Denver. He has more than 16 years experience in public accounting and provides accounting, assurance and consulting services to publicly and privately held companies in various industries, including high technology, software, manufacturing, distribution, casinos and financial service entities. Sibley holds a Bachelor of Science in professional accounting, mathematics and business administration from Regis University. He is a member of the Colorado Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
From left: DeeAnna Kraft, Beth Leleck, Anne Merrill, Dr. John Corboy, Carrie Nolan, Dr. Jeff Hebert, Brandt Wilkins, and Chris Doerr
Golden Circle donors attended an exclusive research reception on June 19 where they heard from Colorado researcher Dr. Jeffrey Hebert. Dr. Hebert spoke about his innovative work around exercise-based treatment strategies for MS related balance impairments and associated symptoms
such as fatigue, dizziness, gait limitations and muscle function.
Become a Golden Circle Memebr Golden Circle members are
Dr. Hebert’s exercise program is a A L M S S O C I E T Y who give a one-time unique approach to treating symptomsN A T I O Nindividuals of MS and offers exciting insight into gift of $1,000 or more, annually. the progress being made in research around lifestyle and wellness. n
cureMSco-wy.org 1-800-FIGHT-MS (344-4867)
sophia.conti@nmss.org
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RESOURCES Walk this Way
Walking Poles Series a Success! Thanks to everyone who attended our walking poles series “Walk This Way.” We hope you gained practical skills to improve your mobility, balance and strength during everyday activities and made new friends. “In addition to learning about and experiencing the benefits walking poles provide for balance, mobility and strength, participants really enjoyed the connection with others in the class. The laughter, conversation and sharing was great! Next time we offer the class, we will call it Smiles and Walking Poles!” n - LeeAnn Bellum, Care Management Director
Weren’t able to attend the program? Learn more about how you can maximize your mobility by visiting:
cureMSco-wy.org Click Living Well with MS
Cognition and MS The Impact of cognitive changes
Cherish diagnosed in 2002
2014
Save the Date!
Durango
Cognitive changes are common in people with MS—approximately half of all people with MS will develop problems with cognition. Cognition refers to a range of high-level brain functions, including the ability to learn and remember information; organize, plan and problem-solve; focus, maintain and shift attention as necessary; understand and use language; accurately perceive the environment; and perform calculations. In MS, certain functions are more likely to be affected than others, such as memory (acquiring, retaining and retrieving new information); attention and concentration (particularly divided attention); Information processing (dealing with information gathered
Have You Seen My Keys? Speaker LuAnn Pierce, LCSW September 4, 11am – 1pm Durango Recreation Center
by the five senses); executive functions (planning and prioritizing); visuospatial functions (visual perception and constructional abilities) and verbal fluency (word-finding). Yet certain functions are likely to remain intact: general intellect, longterm (remote) memory, conversational skill and reading comprehension. If you are interested in learning more about cognitive changes and strategies on how to manage the challenges, the Colorado-Wyoming Chapter will offer a variety of education programs across the region in early Fall 2014. Watch your mailbox for upcoming education programs in your community.
Colorado Springs CogniFitness Classes begin October 1 9:30 – 11:30am
HealthSouth Rehabilitation Center
Greeley
Have You Seen My Keys? Speaker LuAnn Pierce, LCSW September TBD
Visit cureMSco-wy.org for more information.
4Tracey, diagnosed in 2005
MS connection: SUMMER 2014
RESOURCES
Traveling With MS
World Travelers Joani Schulz and Carolyn Bliley share their secrets Joanie: I love my Zuca carry-on
Joanie: I travel with an evaporative
suitcase that can double as a chair. Its sturdy metal frame is perfect for sitting on while waiting in line. Its zippered “cubes” neatly hold my rolled-up clothes and I always have a place I can rest.
cooling vest. I soak it, wring it out and stay cool all day. My husband's camera monopod also doubles as a great walking stick!
Carolyn: Shower chairs that can easily
accommodate all of your luggage and a wheel chair.
be taken apart, packed and reassembled and a handle with suction cups provide sturdy support in hotel showers.
Joanie: TravelScoot is a foldable, lightweight scooter that I can take through the airport, right to the plane’s door. Like a stroller, you tag it and leave it for storage until you arrive at your destination where airline personnel bring it up for you.
Carolyn: Make sure your rental car can
Joanie: The most important thing to bring on a trip is a positive attitude of thankfulness and adventure! Be thankful for what you can do. People-watch or nature-watch and savor every moment even if you can’t hike that trail or climb those steps. Happy travels and bon voyage!
Carolyn: When making reservations,
ask your airline if they can offer support in helping you navigate the busy airport. Many airlines have aisle chairs that can get you to your seat on the airplane. Airport boarding assistance personnel, who know their way around airports, can often avoid lines, move you through customs quickly and help you make connecting flights.
Joani Schulz on her TravelScoot4
RESOURCES Resources Zuca carry-on bag: zuca.com TravelScoot Mobility Scooter: travelscoot.com HyperKewl evaporative cooling vest: techniche-intl.com
MS CONNECTION Cognitive Changes
Provide and receive support, information and advice related to cognitive changes.
MSconnection.org
Upcoming Programs Moving Beyond the Pain Workshop July 26- September 13 Centennial, CO
Stress & MS Teleconference August 7
MS 101 For the Newly Diagnosed August 11, September 8, October 6
cureMSco-wy.org 1-800-FIGHT-MS (344-4867)
Grand Junction Free Monthly MS Clinic Free neurological care and resources and support for uninsured or medicaid insured patients with MS. By appointment only: 970-241-8975 ext. 15451
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Resources
CogniFitness
Class Helps Musician Keep Playing Music has held a special place in the life of John Klotz as long as he can remember. But now it is the ability to remember that is coming between him and his music due to short-term memory loss caused by MS. The 64-year-old Colorado Springs resident has always loved helping people, which is why he spent his career working at nonprofit organizations. A man of many talents, playing guitar and landscape photography have also been lifelong avocations. “I used to be a working musician and liked performing. I would also play at galleries where my photographs were exhibited and entertain people. Now my short-term memory loss messes with the music because information gets lost between the brain and the fingers. Unfortunately, I can’t play with other people anymore because you have to be able to react to what the other musicians are playing and that multi-tasking aspect has become too difficult. “I was officially diagnosed with MS in 1996, but looking back, I think I had symptoms as far back as 1986. I would experience weird things physically that I’d just brush off, but once I was diagnosed and learned about MS, those odd things started to make sense,” Klotz said. He connected with the Chapter shortly after his diagnosis when he was looking for information and answers. “The Chapter proved to provide many helpful resources, so I guess you could say I became a long time partner,” he said. One of the educational resources Klotz found helpful was the CogniFitness
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I would experience weird things physically that I’d just brush off, but once I was diagnosed and learned about MS, those odd things started to make sense.
class. "The class taught me valuable techniques to help with my memory and ways to train my brain. We learned how to take in information visually and auditorially to help process. I often refer to my notes, which has been helpful. “I’ve been retired for nearly three years and it’s important for me to be able to keep playing. The guitar forces me to remember where the notes are on the instrument and the memory techniques help. I’m writing a song about my experience now. “My wife noticed improvement after I took the class and I look forward to signing up again. I soundly recommend this class for anyone with MS who is struggling with memory loss. It helps and doing something is better than doing nothing,” Klotz added.
CogniFitness: Keeping the Mind Moving
Learn strategies that facilitate focus and concentration, improve memory organization, problem solving & critical thinking skills. Classes begin Oct. 1 • 9:30–11:30am • Colorado Springs
1-800-FIGHT-MS (344-4867) to RSVP MS connection: SUMMER 2014
GIVING
Society Scholar Eyes Future in Medical Field Two years ago Baylee Diederich was a 16-year-old dealing with normal high school struggles—huge amounts of homework and a hectic schedule that included being captain of Longmont High School’s swim and dive team, honor society and playing first chair clarinet in band. An unexpected challenge was added to that mix when she suddenly experienced vision problems.
She vividly remembered waking up one Sunday and not being able to see clearly and thought it was time to get glasses. The solution would not be that simple. A visit to an eye doctor resulted in a diagnosis of optic neuritis, initially thought to be caused by a brain tumor. However after multiple tests, a spinal tap confirmed a diagnosis of MS. “It all happened so quickly. One day I ways just a normal kid, the next I was visiting hospitals multiple times a week while trying to keep up my grades and still attend classes as much as possible. I was also getting poked all the time, which was a new experience for me and so was the pain – physically and well as emotionally. “At first I would make jokes about it just to act strong. But after my treatment began, I found that being strong was no longer an act; I didn’t have to put on a fake front that everything would be okay. Being strong is
now something I have learned to do over time, assuring myself that MS is not going to heavily impact my life,” Baylee said. During a treatment at Children’s Hospital she met a four-year-old girl with cancer who inspired her. “We talked about a lot of things, but she taught me the power of a smile, which I’ll carry for the rest of my life. Smiles are free and you can never run out of them—make someone remember you for your smile, not your frown. “Life is a learning experience for everyone —no one knows how it will turn out. I’ve become less afraid to face tough situations and more confident in trying to make a difference for someone else. I used to spend a lot of time worrying about stuff that didn’t matter and freaking out when I though everything was falling apart, when in reality everything was falling together,” she said. Today Baylee is doing well by having monthly infusion and taking a daily dose of vitamin D, and is under the care of Dr. Teri Schreiner. She has graduated from high school and is now looking forward to attending Southeast Lincoln Community College in Nebraska, where she will study to become a respiratory therapist. “I have family members in this field who love their job and the people they work with,” Baylee enthused. “I want to help others and make a difference in the lives of sick people. I also know jobs are hard to come by and a career in the medical field seems like a good choice to ensure a successful future,” she added. “Thanks to the National MS Society scholarship I won’t have to worry so much about financial burden and can take the next step to getting my future started,” she added. Thanks to a positive attitude and wisdom beyond her age, Baylee is well on her way to a bright future. n
Learn more about supporting our scholarship program:
sophia.conti@nmss.org
cureMSco-wy.org 1-800-FIGHT-MS (344-4867)
Scholarships Making an Impact Thank you so much for your generous donations to the National MS Society that has allowed me to receive a scholarship. I have been affected by MS my whole life—my mom was diagnosed before I was born and has struggled with various symptoms ever since. Many of these symptoms prevented her from working a job while I was growing up, so it was such a blessing to receive extra monetary help for college. Abby Dorman
Wheaton College 2013 scholarship recipient
Best of Luck! Congratulations to the Chapter’s 2014 Scholarship Recipients! Each of the following students received a $1,000 scholarship to help further their education:
Benjamin Brookins
Longmont High School Longmont, CO
Baylee Diederich
Longmont High School Longmont, CO
Michaela Jones
Rock Canyon High School Littleton, CO
Katharine Taylor
Alamosa High School Alamosa, CO
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RESEARCH
Neuroprotection and MS
We’d love to hear more about the research exploring sex hormones in men.
After the Society’s webcast, Promising MS Research to Repair, Protect and Restore the Nervous System, we sat down with Dr. Rhonda Voskuhl to discuss the work her lab is doing in the area of neuroprotection.
Eventually, there may be a common theme between women and men in the sense that testosterone is naturally converted to estrogen in the brain. Therefore, if you treat women with estrogen and men with testosterone, you could end up in the same place – binding to estrogen receptors in brain cells to cause protective effects.
Could you explain how neuroprotective therapies would be different from the therapies we have now? The therapies we have now were designed based on our understanding of the immune attack that occurs in multiple sclerosis, where immune cells attack the brain and spinal cord. They have been successful in that they reduce relapses by half or more, but they don’t halt permanent disability accumulation.
Testosterone may have several other positive side-effects in men with MS – it’s known to improve muscle mass and muscle strength, improve bone density, decrease fatigue, and improve cognition in older men going through andropause. In addition, this trial will provide valuable information about the safety of testosterone supplementation for men with MS.
Are you seeing similar results related to cognition in women with estrogen supplementation?
In both genders, sex hormones can directly affect brain cells.
Neuroprotective therapies would target cells in the brain and spinal cord, namely neurons, oligodendrocytes and astrocytes (important cells in the brain) to build up their resistance to or protection from an immune attack. The neuroprotective therapies may have minimal effect on relapses, but would likely have a great impact on permanent disability accumulation–and they may even cause some reversal or improvement in disability. We’ve studied several mechanisms involved in neurodegeneration (nerve destruction), as well as cells related to that process. We also have focused a lot on sex hormones. Estrogen (in females) and testosterone (in males) can be very neuroprotective and directly affect brain cells. We’ve completed several preclinical studies as well as two clinical trials in sex hormones, and we have two additional ongoing trials, with another trial planned.
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up to 25 sites across the U.S., this would be a much larger study of 110 men with MS and will be placebo controlled. We will be looking for improvements in outcomes that are very important for disability and cognition in men with MS.
Specifically related to testosterone in men, we’ve done extensive preclinical work and have seen much improvement in both walking and cognitive outcomes, which included neuroprotective mechanisms. In a small pilot clinical trial, we gave testosterone to men with MS and found a 67 percent reduction in the whole brain atrophy rate, as well as an improvement in their cognitive testing. In a paper published this year in Neuroimage Clinical, our collaborator Dr. Allan Mackenzie-Graham found that the slowing of brain atrophy in this trial was due to both a halting of cerebral cortical gray matter atrophy and also some gray matter gain or restoration during testosterone treatment. We are now hoping to follow that study with a larger study we just submitted to the National Institutes of Health. With
We have an ongoing trial of estriol, the safest of the estrogens, which is present during pregnancy. We are still enrolling participants in this trial with sites at University of California, Los Angeles, Colorado, New Mexico and University of Pennsylvania. This study is very similar to the study of testosterone in men – however it will have cognition as the primary outcome. We also have another study exploring estrogen’s potential effect on relapses in women with MS. Preclinical data has shown that, in addition to being neuroprotective, estriol is also antiinflammatory. On the other hand, testosterone appears to be only modestly anti-inflammatory, but appears to be more dramatically neuroprotective.
What excites you most about this area of research? We know that pregnancy is good for MS, and that estrogen is high during pregnancy. We also know that men don’t get MS as often, and when they do, it is often later in life when their testosterone has begun to drop. So we’re taking something that we know is clinically significant and relevant to people with MS, and then trying to figure that out. n
MS connection: SUMMER 2014
RESEARCH One of the research participants, David Oost of Bloomington, Ill., has been part of at least six published studies at ENRL. “Three years ago, I walked with a cane and now I don’t,” he says. “My ability to walk has improved greatly, my endurance has increased, and my desire to continue working out has been ignited. Even the cognitive tasks that the tests require have become easier, less frustrating, and fun.”
A Reciprocal Relationship
Impacting MS through Exercise As he tells it, Robert Motl, PhD, didn’t set out to study multiple sclerosis. Dr. Motl, who is currently associate professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, began his graduate studies with a focus on high-end exercise physiology, working almost exclusively with elite athletes. But after studying the effects of exercise on the central nervous system, he found a connection between his studies and MS research. “We applied for a grant from the National MS Society to study the effect of single sessions of exercise on spasticity and spinal reflexes in people living with MS. We were awarded the funds, and we haven’t looked back.” The results of the study were published in Neuroscience Letters 406 (2006) 289-292.
“Only a handful of people were doing research on exercise and MS,” Dr. Motl says. “And the people who came into our lab to participate thought it was the greatest thing ever. With these two things in mind, it was an easy decision to make MS the focus of my research.” His commitment led to the establishment of the Exercise Neuroscience Research Laboratory (ENRL) at the university. At any given time, anywhere from a handful to a dozen research projects are taking place at ENRL. Over the past two years, ENRL was awarded four year-long pilot research grants from the Illinois Lottery Research Fund, which uses proceeds from a scratch-off ticket to fund MS research statewide. One such project is a homebased exercise study led by Lara Pilutti, PhD, assistant professor of Kinesiology and Community Health at the university, which looks at how strength, aerobic fitness and cardiovascular function can be affected by exercise training. “Participants come into the lab, they learn the exercises, and we teach them a few strategies to maintain their routine and adapt it to their lifestyles,” explains Dr. Pilutti.
Oost credits a large part of his improvement to the personal attention given to every study participant. He notes that the graduate students work very closely with him throughout the projects. In return, he is glad to help them advance their education, especially considering that it will most likely lead to more MS research. “Where I’m from, there’s a high prevalence of MS,” says post-doctorate researcher Yvonne Learmonth, a native of Scotland with a background in physical therapy. “I know that good rehabilitation and exercise can have positive effects, but I want to expand this knowledge and benefit everyone that I can.” The goal—to slow, stop, and reverse the life-altering effects of MS—remains ongoing, with collaborative efforts and advances in research and treatments now better than ever before, explains Dr. Motl. “To me, if there’s ever been a good time to be diagnosed with MS, probably right now is the best time,” he says. “I think most of our disease-modifying therapies and the scientific information on the benefits of exercise training and how that can be integrated into managing MS and improving function are being optimized.” n
In addition to being essential to general health and well-being, exercise is helpful in managing many MS symptoms. For a list of alternative exercises visit:
nationalMSsociety.org Click Living Well With MS >Health Wellness >Exercise cureMSco-wy.org 1-800-FIGHT-MS (344-4867)
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RESEARCH EVENTS
Bike MS Colorado 2014
Hot Wheels
"Awesome" was the single word continually shared by cyclists to sum up the Chapter’s 2014 Newmont Bike MS, presented by Point B. The 3,000 participants took on hot temperatures this year as they rode toward the goal of raising more than $3.8 million! Riders also expressed many thanks to the Chapter staff and volunteers for all the great support provided along the route, which kept everyone safe and able to enjoy a remarkable experience!
By the
Special thanks to our 2014 Bike MS
NUMBERS
Congratulations Colorado—the Newmont Bike MS is the Society’s third largest fundraising ride in the nation!
Colorado Sponsors
700+
Volunteers
3,000 riders
370 Fort Collins
Loop Riders
100+
Riders who live with MS
270 Teams participated
in Bike MS Colorado.
Nearly half a million miles ridden
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MS connection: SUMMER 2014
EVENTS
SNAPSHOTS
A.
B.
WYOMING’S RIDE 2014 presented by
Missed Bike MS CO? C.
E.
D.
Enjoy a cycling adventure with over 300 of your closest friends. Rolling plains, mountain climbs, scenic vistas, and historic towns are waiting for you on Bike MS Wyoming presented by Toyota. Join us on the ride of your life and see what the Wild West is truly all about. The ride is fully supported with catered rest stops, bike mechanics, full meals, and support vehicles. Invite your family and friends to cheer as you cross the finish line and enjoy a wonderful evening celebration. A fantastic festival awaits you with great food, music, a beer garden, massage tent and more!
F.
bikeMSwyoming.com G.
H.
A. Team Newmont members cooling off with snowcones at the Johns Manville reststop. B. Presenting Sponsor Point B’s team hanging out in Team Village. C. Chapter President Carrie Nolan with Windsor’s Phil Yastrow, the Ride’s second top individual fundraiser this year. He has raised more than $33,000! D. Cameron Laidlaw, captain of Team Snackshop, was the Fort Collins Loop’s top fundraiser. Pictured left to right: Brad Piehl, Dr. Doug Laidlaw, Cameron Laidlaw, Jessica Wald and Kate Kostan. E. Members of top Family and Friends fundraising team the Raw Hinies. F. Danielle Lind and daughter Amy supported by Team Toyota. G. Dave Ballowe of Erie raised more than $22,000 and has participated in every Colorado Bike MS ride for the past 29 years! H. Carl Craig and daughter Heather cool down after completing the ride on a tandem bike.
cureMSco-wy.org 1-800-FIGHT- MS (344-4867)
REGISTER TODAY
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EVENTS
Walkers Make Strides to Hit $1.8 Million! Thanks to the thousands of supporters who came together this spring and walked on scenic bike paths, through parks, college campuses, historic downtown areas, and a community center during the Chapter’s 13 Walk MS events held across Colorado and Wyoming this spring. Momentum was in the air this year as more than 16,000 participants enjoyed time with friends and family, refreshments and entertainment at the festive gatherings, and are on pace to raise more than $1.8 million by the September 30 fundraising deadline! n
Way to Grow! Special congratulations to Walk MS Northern Colorado and Walk MS Grand Junction. Both of these Walk MS events experienced double digit-growth in participation and increased fundraising!
Special thanks to our 2014 Walk MS Sponsors TITLE SPoNSor
walkMSco-wy.org
Mark your Calendars
oFFICIaL VEHICLE SPoNSor
MS on the Move Luncheon
2O14 presented by
Community and Corporate leaders throughout the Denver metro area are invited to join together to support those in our community who have been affected by multiple sclerosis.
Wednesday, September 10, 2014 Grand Hyatt Denver ®
™
Dinner of Champions
A community leadership event highlighting the accomplishments of those who demonstrate a commitment to philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy.
Friday, September 12, 2014 Embassy Suites Loveland
cureMSco-wy.org Upcoming Events 12
MS connection: SUMMER 2014
EVENTS
Top Walk MS fundraisers David Alexander (left) and Scott Kaplan (right) pictured with CBS4 meteorologist Ed Greene, who served up a sunny day for Walk MS Denver.
Coach Arner’s team was out in full force for Walk MS Casper.
Team "MS is Not My Karma" pose for a team photo at Walk MS Northern Colorado.
Walk MS Glenwood Springs /5K Run Glenwood Springs
Members of Team "Molly's MSfit" take a picture at the Walk MS Cheyenne Facebook Photobooth.
Find your Walk and Bike event photos*
flickr.com/nmss_co-wy * Individual Bike MS rider photos are available for purchase at Sundanceimages.com
cureMSco-wy.org 1-800-FIGHT-MS (344-4867)
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EVENTS DIY Fundraising
Peak Support Brent Cox and his friend Tracy share a lot in common—both were born the same year in St. Louis, both are only children and both moved to Colorado the same year. In 2007 the friends added another common bond when both were diagnosed with MS.
Brent and his daughter, Danica at Walk MS Pueblo 2014.
“Tracy enjoys climbing Colorado’s Fourteeners, so when the Chapter held its inaugural Hike MS, she recruited me. My daughter Danica and I have participated in every Hike MS since. We make a weekend of it, doing the hike and playing golf. We enjoy the father/ daughter time as well as raising funds to end MS,” said Brent.
He now lives in the town of Swink, located near La Junta in southeast Colorado, and is a popular custodian at the area’s K – 12 school in Cheraw. Following Hike MS two years ago he decided to stop shaving his goatee beard until he and his daughter had climbed Pikes Peak. According to Brent, since making that decision the idea has literally ‘grown a life of its own.’ “I decided if I was going to summit Pikes Peak, I wanted to raise funds doing it. I’ve set a goal to raise $100 for every 1,000 feet climbed. The peak stands at 14, 110 feet high, and I hope to raise $1,400 for the Society,” Brent said. When he reaches his goal, he plans to shave his popular goatee. “The kids at school have braided it, spray-painted it and call it my ‘Duck Dynasty’ look. It will be an event when it comes off, but it’s for a good cause!” n
Do It Yourself Fundraising is an opportunity for people with a deep commitment to the MS cause to raise awareness and critical funds for the MS Movement in new and creative ways. To learn more about creating a DIY event, visit: diyMS.org
Aspen Town-N-Trail10K Sat., October 4, 2014
Connect to resources and support. MS Navigators are available for personalized assistance through our Information Resource Center Mon. – Fri. 7AM - 5PM (MST).
Visit: facebook.com/Aspen-Town-N-Trail-10K
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Aspen TOWN-n-TRAIl 10k
October 4th 2014
ASPEN, COLORADO
October 4th
cureMSco-wy.org National Multiple Sclerosis Society
1-800-344-4867
Colorado-Wyoming Chapter
MS connection: SUMMER 2014
OF NOTE
Walking Scar(r)ed
When Natasha Gardner, 5280’s digital editor, returned to work after her first maternity leave, her life took on the typical blur of balancing a career and family. What wasn’t normal was her level of fatigue and a series of health problems, including double vision, that forced her to turn her reporting instincts on her own body. Her journey led to a multiple sclerosis diagnosis, which she chronicled in “Walking Scar(r)ed,” a personal essay published by 5280 in May 2014.
“I knew immediately after my diagnosis that I wanted to share my story,” Gardner says. “I’d been living with MS long before my official diagnosis, but I didn’t know it. I hoped that writing about my health would mean that others could figure out what has happening to their bodies earlier than I did.” It worked. Gardner continues to receive emails and letters about the story. One is from a person who, after reading the article, thought it was time to see a
neurologist. Another came from a young mom who was struggling with her own diagnosis. Others offered advice or treatment options. “What I quickly learned is how many people are affected by MS,” Gardner says. “At work. At home. At school. In Colorado, this very personal disease must be part of a bigger discussion because it impacts so many lives.” Gardner’s most recent MRI showed no new lesions and she’s fully recovered
her vision. “Of course, I still battle symptoms,” Gardner says. “There are good days, and then there are days that make me appreciate the good days even more.” Most importantly, Gardner has learned to rely on people more, from a caring group of coworkers who delivered meals to her home or friends who dressed in orange for the MS Walk. “On the days that my legs aren’t steady,” Gardner says, “I know I’ve got a legion of people who want to help me hold strong.”n
Save the date for 5280 Dines benefiting the National MS Society Colorado-Wyoming Chapter
Sunday, September 28
Dines Mingle with Denver’s best chefs at an exclusive dining experience and cocktail pairing to celebrate 5280 magazine’s October 25 Best Restaurants issue. Be the first to know when ttickets go on sale—Sign up at:5280.com/5280dines TThanks to our partners: cureMSco-wy.org 1-800-FIGHT-MS (344-4867)
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Broadway Station 900 S. Broadway, Ste. 250 Denver, CO 80209
Stay Connected
cureMSco-wy.org 1-800-FIGHT-MS (344-4867) SEPT
MuckFest MS Denver
Saturday, Sept. 13
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Larkspur, CO Rally friends to muck it a mile high at MuckFest MS Denver. You and your friends will run, swing, slosh, climb & laugh your way through a 5K course of incredible obstacles and muddy pits, trenches and craters.
muckfestMS.com
REGISTER TODAY!