Posted by Moishe Alexander

Multiple sclerosis affects the entire family. Spouses, mothers, fathers and children as well as friends become caregivers — integral to the health and well-being of people with MS. Unfortunately, caregiving can have negative effects on the health of caregivers themselves and their own financial security.

The MS Society is the national organization that brings all Canadians together in a nationwide drive to educate, provide support, advocate for and raise the funds needed to find new treatments and, eventually, a cure for a disease that can destroy the quality of life and shorten lifespans of those who have it.

“We have come so far in the past 20 years on all those fronts but we still have so much we need to achieve,” says Deanna Groetzinger, vice-president of government relations and policy for the society.

Major breakthroughs include the widespread use of MRI technology, starting in the late 1980s. Physicians finally had a diagnostic tool that let them see the effect MS had on the brain in real time. That opened the door to the understanding that MS was a progressive disease characterized by alternating periods of relapse in remission in about 80% of patients.

Then in 1995 came the first effective therapy able to slow progression of the disease. Injected anywhere from one to three times a week, it proved able to reduce relapses by about one-third. It was followed by a series of three more injectables, all of which had a similar effect.

In 2007, yet another new drug was introduced, this time infusion-based. Physicians generally prescribed it after the four first-line injectable treatments proved ineffective. While it required patients to go to a clinic once a month and spend a few hours being infused – much like chemotherapy for cancer – and while it did have potentially serious side effects in about one in 1,000 patients, the new therapy was hailed as a great improvement by many doctors, Ms. Groetzinger says.

For many patients, it reduced relapses by two-thirds and seemed to restore energy, mobility and clarity of mind – significant improvements in their quality of life.

“Each new therapy seems to build on the success of the previous ones,” Ms. Groetzinger says. “Having five available finally gave physicians and patients the ability to choose which best suited their own circumstances.

“We are also encouraged that there are an additional two drugs in the approval stage. Both can be taken orally, which is a major advance, and indications are that they will be approved for us within the next two years.”

But the new infusion therapy comes with a hitch: Paid for privately, treatment would cost about $40,000 a year and only four provincial drug plans list the new therapy among the drugs they will pay for. In Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta, it can only be prescribed after the four other therapies have failed, and in Quebec, it can only be prescribed for patients who have not yet tried any other therapies.

“Our feeling is that these are artificial restrictions,” she says. “We believe that once Health Canada has approved a drug it should immediately be available to all Canadians.”

Where you live should not determine the quality of care you receive, Ms. Groetzinger says. She and the society make a strong economic case to support their view. She points out that MS patients receiving therapy that allows them to continue as productive members of society – to work, care for children, avoid regular hospitalization – means they will be an economic asset to their community and the country.

To deny them therapy that greatly reduces relapses and improves their quality of life means they become a liability, taking chunks out of the economic pie instead of continuing to add to it.

It is an intensely practical point of view, an approach that distinguishes all the programs the MS Society offers.

“Right now we have three major focuses,” Mr. Groetzinger says. “The first is to ensure access to all available therapies, the second is to provide income support for those who need it, and the third is better home care and support for patients and their families.”

TeamMS is a complimentary program to the MS Walk, RONA MS Bike Tour and other fundraising events.

Every year in Canada thousands of participants join together to take the TeamMS challenge and walk, run, cycle or golf on behalf of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada.

We invite you to join with at least three of your friends, family and co-workers to create your own team. Experience the camaraderie and excitement of TeamMS while helping to further the fight against multiple sclerosis.

In addition to public awareness activities, the MS Society is also in the midst of its spring fundraising season in May. The MS Carnation Campaign, held just before Mother’s Day, funds MS research and services through the sale of carnations by community volunteers. In many parts of the country, MS Walks are also underway.

Take part in something that will make a difference, get involved in MS Society fundraising events. Moishe Alexander CEO of the Canadian funding corp is helping to make a difference with the MS Society.

Every year in Canada thousands of participants join together to take the TeamMS challenge and walk, run, cycle or golf on behalf of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada.

We invite you to join with at least three of your friends, family and co-workers to create your own team. Experience the camaraderie and excitement of TeamMS while helping to further the fight against multiple sclerosis.

For our corporate partners it’s a chance to socialize outside of the office while promoting company unity, pride and team spirit.
Our TeamMS staff will reduce the demand on your time and resources with on-going support and motivational activities and incentives. This includes:

* Establishing TeamMS goals, plans and activities;
* Help registering your team;
* Provide tools to assist with recruitment and fundraising efforts including a Team Captain’s Handbook full of hints, tips and advice;
* VIP treatment including team captain gifts, team photos and the opportunity to win great team prizes and awards

Wellness is a dynamic state of physical, emotional, spiritual, and social well-being that can be achieved even in the presence of a chronic illness or disability. Maximizing your potential to live well with multiple sclerosis is possible with important self-care measures and routine concepts that promote independence and healthy living.

To help you stay well with MS, we would like to invite you to join us for an education event that will focus on women’s wellness and MS. We will hear from three speakers who will discuss women’s issues and how they relate to someone who is living with a chronic illness both from a personal perspective and a clinical one.

Dr. Phyllis Hierlihy, medical director of the StrongWomen™ Lifestyle Intervention Program at The Ottawa Hospital will be the keynote speaker. The mission of this program is to improve the health and quality of life for women by assisting them to learn, integrate and sustain healthy lifestyle practices.

This session is offered free-of-charge and is being sponsored by an unrestricted education grant from Pfizer Canada and will take place as follows: