MS Society of Canada- AB & NWT Division
9450 50 St T6B 1G8 Edmonton, AB, Canada

I am happy that we [MS Navigators] can assist so many people every day in so many different ways. We may have someone call us that is overwhelmed with emotion and in tears at the start of the call. As MS Navigators, we walk people affected by MS through resources and supports to help relieve their stress and uncertainties, especially on their darkest days. To me, being an MS Navigator is my dream job. When I was applying, my oldest daughter read the job description and said..., Mom it’s like they designed this job around you. - Patty, MS Navigator It takes a village to manage a disease like multiple sclerosis, and our MS Navigators are a dependable and informed group of individuals who are part of that village supporting Canadians through their MS journeys every day. Whether you or your loved one is newly diagnosed, or you are looking for more information on the latest MS treatment, our team of MS Navigators are here for you. Read more from Patty in our latest blog post here: https://bit.ly/3w4Qmzs.

One community made up of tens of thousands of Canadians will walk forward together on May 30 to show that no person living with multiple sclerosis is alone . Register for Jayman BUILT #MSWalk today as we walk toward a world free of MS: https://bit.ly/3rMLlZL.

Thank you to everyone who attended our spring edition of MS Connect! Sessions covered topics like mental health, physical activity, MS in new immigrants, comorbidities, and biomarkers one of the most promising areas of MS research. If you were unable to attend, missed a session, or simply want to watch one of the sessions again, don't worry! All sessions were recorded and are available for viewing here: https://bit.ly/3tIvEUv. #MSConnect will be back November 22-26 to connect you with even more MS research and online content!

Multiple sclerosis (MS) has not only impacted several employees at Jayman BUILT, but also the family of Jay Westman, the company’s Chairman and CEO. As the title sponsor of MS Walk in AB and NWT since 2015, the Jayman BUILT MS Walk has become an annual tradition for employees and their families. For Ronda and Sarah, Jayman BUILT employees who both live with MS, the company’s dedication to the MS Walk and all Canadians affected by MS means so much to them. As an employee, I ...feel incredibly supported by Jayman BUILT and their generosity to finding a cure for MS. The company’s support is incredibly heartwarming, says Ronda. As someone who lives with MS, it feels amazing to be part of a company that supports a cause that is so important to me and my family, shares Sarah. Although staff can’t come together as a group, the company is determined to keep its Jayman BUILT MS Walk traditions alive. The company introduced a friendly rivalry called Battle of Alberta in 2019 between staff in Calgary and Edmonton to see which team can raise more money for MS. The winning team is treated to a catered lunch paid by the losing team. We are hoping this year will be a comeback year having lost two years in a row to the Edmonton team, our Calgary team is determined to raise more money and receive a catered lunch paid for by the Edmonton office, exclaims Sarah. Ronda, who is a member of the Edmonton team, explains that the Battle of Alberta and several other planned activities makes them feel united even though they can’t physically be together. Although times are different, everyone can still make a difference and contribute even when we are apart. Whether you register as an individual or join a team, you too can make a difference through the Jayman BUILT #MSWalk. Join us in thanking Jayman BUILT and their employees for their continued support, by commenting below and registering at mswalks.ca

It takes a village to help manage a disease like multiple sclerosis (MS). And for those affected by MS, support offered through several avenues is essential to help them along their journey. For Patti, she’s turned her diagnosis into an opportunity to support others, especially women, in the MS community. In 1990, as she’d just started her dream job, Patti was diagnosed with MS. She had dreamt of becoming a physical education teacher for years, and could only manage to teach... in that field until 1995 as her balance, strength and fatigue became relentless with her ensuing MS. After years moving around within different teaching roles, Patti received her PHD in education and decided she would teach those who held her old dream students at Teachers College. After numerous interviews, she was always greeted with the same response, You are amazing, but we’ve gone with someone else. To this day, she believes it could have been because of her limp caused by MS. Just devastated, Patti left teaching altogether. Today, Patti’s found her passion for helping women through her Facebook tribe of MS warriors, Women with MS living FEARLESS, Brave & Bold. Her group has over 270 members from all over the world. I feel like I’m making a difference, and if that’s just creating a safe space for women to engage with other women, it means the world to me, Patti says. Every day of the week, her group discusses a different theme, like letting go or finding your identity. She also goes live in the tribe every Saturday about various MS related topics. Although Patti thrives by helping others better cope with their MS, she still relies on a couple pillars to help assist her too. Paul, her husband, knows when to encourage her and when to tell her to let go. He is her rock. Sue, her long-time friend, is a constant soundboard who she chats with regularly. MS Navigators are another source of support Patti reaches out to for questions she has about MS, and a non-judgemental ear when needed. Patti reminds us that, It’s important to have a support system in place, because talking to yourself in the mirror doesn’t cut it. I’ve found that another set of eyes and another person to hear you and can bring that different perspective is often just what we need. #MSAwarenessMonth #MSConnections

COVID-19 vaccine guidance for Canadians living with multiple sclerosis. COVID-19 vaccine guidance for Canadians living with MS was developed with input from a group of international researchers and medical professionals who reviewed the available science and provided fact-based recommendations. This guidance outlines the safety and effectiveness of the currently approved Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. The guidance will be updated and evolve as more is lea...rned from scientific studies and additional vaccines become available. To view the guidance, click here: bit.ly/35BGoLd

Thank you Kryton International Inc. for choosing to support the MS Society of Canada- AB & NWT Division by hosting a company-wide fundraiser that raised approximately $11,253 for people affected by MS over the holidays! Our sincerest thank you as #WeChallengeMS together and continue to create positive change in the lives of people living with MS.

The MS Society of Canada is excited to share new research findings published in Brain Journal by Dr. Soheila Karimi, Professor and Neuroscientist at the Univers...ity of Manitoba. In this preclinical study, Dr. Karimi and her team discovered a new protein target for MS treatment called Neuregulin-1 beta 1. They found that reduced levels of Neuregulin-1 beta 1 is associated with MS development and progression, and that supplementation of this protein can delay MS onset and improve disease severity. For more information, read our latest MS Update: bit.ly/2XeROzR

Join our brand-new community groups on Facebook! 2020 was a challenging year for most, and we are all missing connecting with our community. With that in mind, we have launched community connection groups - a space for people affected by MS to come together and share their lived experiences, provide support and advice, and connect with one another. Think of the community groups like a one-stop shop for anything you might want the larger MS community to know. Hosting a fundrai...sing event? Post it! Know about a program happening in your community? Post it! Want to connect with others in your area who may be on a similar journey with their MS? Post that too! Join our new MS Society of Canada Northern Alberta and Northwest Territories and South Central Alberta today to share stories, learn about local events and initiatives, receive regional updates, and more, while connecting with other people. Links to the groups are as follows: MS Society of Canada Northern Alberta Community Group MS Society of Canada South Central Alberta Please note, we will be closing our chapter Facebook pages and moving our communications to these regional groups on January 15. To continue to receive regional updates and hear stories about community members from Alberta and Northwest Territories, follow us here and on @mssocietyabnwt on Twitter and Instagram.

Q: How has MS affected your dating life? A: Dating is already difficult, but with MS, it’s become a daunting reality. I’ve found myself asking questions like when should I tell them about my MS? or how soon is too soon? You never know how the other person will react. In my opinion, telling them earlier is better. I want to respect their time, so they should know before things get too serious. With or without MS, there is always a fear of being rejected. But if I told some...one about my diagnosis and they responded negatively, I know that they aren’t the person for me. Observing the reactions almost serve as a filter, helping weed out the people who I feel might not grasp compassion or understand my situation. The person I date should be okay with accommodating my needs when I need to take care of myself. I've become a lot more guarded when it comes to meeting new people, but I'm slowly learning to embrace the vulnerability. With many impacted by MS during the formative years of their adult lives, millennials are not alone in the fight against MS. In 2020, millennials with MS are diving into the workforce, starting families, and advancing their education all during the biggest global crisis of the last century. In our latest blog series ‘Millennials and MS’, we sit down with young adults across Canada to discuss topics such as self-care, social media, mental health, and more to hear what they have to say about life with MS. This week, we sat down with Trish Yeung, a 30-year old woman living with MS, who has turned to mindfulness and meditation to support her through her MS journey. Read Trish's story: bit.ly/2UAiHNs

In the 70s, Canadian workers gained access to 15 weeks of paid leave under the newly-created Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefit. Fifty years later, the ...benefit remains virtually unchanged. The EI sickness benefit allows Canadians who are impacted by a personal health issue to adjust their work status and access financial support while focusing on their medical needs. Once an employee has worked 600 hours in the previous year, they are eligible to access the sickness benefit, which dispenses 55 per cent of insured wages for a maximum of 15 weeks. Once the 15 weeks are up, an employee must requalify by logging another 600 hours of work. As it stands, 15 weeks is too short a time-frame for many people with chronic conditions like MS to adequately recover given existing coverage gaps, and overall, Canada’s EI sickness benefit lags behind supports found in other countries. The #TakeActionForMS campaign is calling on the federal government to extend the EI sickness benefit to at least 26 weeks. We’re advocating for crucial changes to help ensure people who live with MS and want to continue working are able to do so. Take five minutes to email your Member of Parliament asking them to #TakeActionForMS today. Join the campaign: https://bit.ly/38Oj6nV.

"What do you see here? Maybe you see a guy who is working out with no shirt, trying to boost his 'likes' on social media. Or maybe you see a guy who is trying to get a new picture for his dating profile. But what I see is a guy who works out without his shirt because he has severe heat intolerance and it’s the best way to control his body from overheating.... What I see is a guy who wears ankle braces when he works out because his ankles get too tired and weak to stabilize him. What I see is a guy whose left leg is so tired that he can’t hold it straight. What I see is a guy that no matter what life throws his way, will never give up. Remember, we all go through battles that no one else knows about." - Donavon, diagnosed with MS in 2016 Jennifer Lewans Photography

Each year, the MS Society of Canada continues to invest in the most promising research that has the greatest potential benefit to individuals living with MS. Our newest blog highlights some of the latest research that aims to improve treatment and care and understand and halt disease progression. To read, click here: bit.ly/3b9nvD8

When it comes to my MS, what works for me is being open and honest about my mental health. When you’re battling a chronic disease and feel like your life as you know it is being taken away, to say you’re emotionally affected is an understatement. Research has shown the link between living with MS and depression, and that’s why it’s critical for me to have strong coping skills and a loving support system. Researching lifestyle modifications and applying it to my own life enab...les me to take control of my health, which otherwise would be out of my hands. - Amanda, MS Society Young Adult Committee member As young adults try to manage MS, along with other aspects of life, prioritizing the importance of informed lifestyle decisions that can alleviate the impact of MS and minimize its progression is critical. On Friday, November 27 from 4:30-5:30 pm ET, join the MS Society’s Young Adult Committee in welcoming an expert panel of speakers who will provide an overview of relevant research in lifestyle modification and tips on how to apply them. Topics will include: exercise and physical activity, mental health, diet and nutrition, and research, and the panel presentation will be followed by a Q&A session. Register for the session here: https://bit.ly/388cyQF. Following the panel, there will be a Young Adult Social Engagement Session, where you can connect with other young adults from across Canada, talk about the information presented in the panel, and discuss what’s important to young adults affected by MS.