MS Society of Canada

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!

Today’s the day! At 7 pm tonight the University of Manitoba is hosting a Café Scientifique focusing on Combatting Multiple Sclerosis from Different Angles. This session will provide a timely update on exciting advances in MS treatments and the ongoing innovative research in Manitoba that provide hope for individuals affected by MS. The panel consists of physicians and scientists with diverse expertise in MS epidemiology, diagnosis, genomics, pathogenesis, treatment developme...nt and safety. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to hear directly from some of the great minds behind promising MS research! Oh, and did we mention it’s free? https://umanitoba.ca/research/cafe-scientifique

It takes a village to help manage a disease like multiple sclerosis (MS). And for those affected by MS, support offered through a number of avenues is essential to help them along their journey. For Kristina, it’s the support of her husband, daughter and community at #MSWalk that keeps her motivated and moving forward. Join the community at #MSWalk as we move forward, together. https://bit.ly/33MVIDH My daughter was six months old when my symptoms first started. My balance ...was off, I would fall often, and my hands and feet went numb. I also had a change in my gait and began experiencing extreme fatigue. It was scary and overwhelming to be adjusting to life as a mom and not know what was happening with my body. My doctor took immediate action, and after a few tests, I was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). That was 14 years ago. On that first MS Walk, my husband and I walked together, pushing our daughter in her stroller. Now she’s 13 (going on 18!), as tall as I am, and still walks with us every year. My 2021 MS Walk will be a walk around my neighbourhood with my daughter and husband at my side and a few friends along to support me. My team is the Manness Stompers, and this year our goal is to raise $7,000 in support of Canadians affected by MS. The same people support my fundraising year after year, some with large donations and others smaller but, whatever the amount, they are my motivation to keep reaching for that cure and move forward, and I am so grateful. - Kristina M., Brandon, MB

Multiple sclerosis usually strikes people in their prime. Young adults, often dedicated professionals, at the beginning of their careers. Sadly, due to the episodic nature of MS, many are forced to leave the workforce and abandon their career paths. Providing additional income and employment security using federal supports would allow people living with MS to feel comfortable taking more time-off when needed and to remain in the workforce longer. This will lead to better per...sonal and community health as well as reducing the burden on the system. The current increase to EI benefits from 15 weeks to 26 weeks is welcome news and a great step forward in increasing the ability for more folks to remain in the work force. We need to ensure it gets passed in to law as soon as possible. - Julia, Library Director, diagnosed in 2004 Julia believes, We need our elected officials to understand the prevalence of MS in Canada, and to understand how a lack of support impacts all our communities. Anything politicians can do to help keep as many people as possible engaged in the work force is vital. We agree, and employment security, along with income security, access to treatments, and accelerating research was on the table at this week’s Day on the Hill online meetings our staff and volunteers held with policy makers across the country. #TakeActionForMS and tell us what you would like to see from our government in terms of aid for people affected by MS.

"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

The 2020 WAMS Gala, presented by the LOVE YOU by Shoppers Drug Mart program, is only a few days away! WAMS knows how to spoil our VIPs and this year you deserve it even more than ever. The VIP experience includes: *Enhanced viewing that allows for group conversations and private networking at your table and in other lounge areas... *Private Q&A with our keynote speaker Anna Maria Tremonti and other speakers following the WAMS Gala *A $25 voucher from SkipTheDishes to treat yourself To top off the VIP experience, you will be entered to win an exclusive 14 Karat gold Prosecco Diamond Band from Ragnar Jewelers. This sweepstakes opportunity is only available to VIP ticket holders. Each year at WAMS galas across Canada there are exclusive and highly sought-after silent auction pieces. For the first time ever, your regular or VIP gala ticket allows you to bid on any item from Vancouver to Halifax and our silent auction is open now, with items being added up until event day on November 20th. https://givergy.ca/wamsluncheon/?controller=home Thank you for your continuous support and see you at the Gala!

"Confession time: I'm pregnant with my second daughter and I have MS. What does this mean? I get weird questions like: Have you spoken to your doctor? Are you allowed to get pregnant with your condition? Aren't you worried about your children? The irony is that I've even received these questions from my own mother. Receiving an MS diagnosis can be really scary, especially before you do any research. Just after having my first daughter, my neurologist diagnosed me with the dis...ease. It was terrifying because I knew my world was going to change and I thought it would be for the worse. However, what I learned is that I was embraced by a community that was supportive of my new journey and understood that I still wanted to work, travel, and have a family. Through this new step in my journey, I understood that I had triggers and that stress management became essential to my overall health and well-being. I surrounded myself with co-workers who became my extended family and helped me if I needed a moment to myself. Most importantly, I began seeing a neurologist that understood that I may want the option to expand my family one day. Here I am - pregnant with my second daughter - vulnerable by sharing my journey, but stronger because of it. I hope to raise my daughters to accept people's differences and learn from them." - Janelle, diagnosed with MS in 2016.

If you could describe MS fatigue in one sentence, how would you explain it? Approximately 90% of people living with MS experience fatigue. MS fatigue can have a negative impact on work, family life, mental and physical health and social and recreational activities. On Friday, November 27th from 11 AM 12 PM ET, join Dr. Marcia Finlayson for an informative panel discussion on fatigue management as a part of our virtual MS Connect conference. ... Fatigue management is gaining more attention in the MS research community and a wider variety of approaches are being evaluated and tested for effectiveness. My panel discussion will address what we know about MS fatigue and the new directions being explored to help fatigue management. Sleep has a lot to do with fatigue, but we don’t study sleep much in this disease. I’ll be discussing how the interest in sleep is beginning to grow. - Dr. Marcia Finlayson, Queen’s University Register for Fatigue: Research Session and Q&A and the rest of our MS Connect sessions here: https://bit.ly/32frvwr.

Every five minutes, someone, somewhere in the world is diagnosed with MS. In Canada, an estimated 11 people are diagnosed with the disease each day. Now more than ever, Canadians need the support and connection to health charities like the MS Society in this uncertain world. Immediate action must be taken to support the tens of thousands of Canadians affected by MS. Health charities are reporting a devastating reduction in revenue, which threatens their ability to support th...ose most vulnerable during the pandemic while continuing to sustain the critical research they fund. In addition to supporting health charities, we’re advocating for critical changes to the Employment Insurance sickness benefits program to ensure those who live with MS and want to continue working are able to. It takes less than 5 minutes to contact your Member of Parliament and ask them to #TakeActionForMS today: https://bit.ly/3mQY9wi.

Over the last decade, my MS symptoms have progressed. I’m often fatigued and experience mood swings. I still experience numbness and tingling in my limbs, but now this happens in different parts of my body. Sometimes, my legs will go completely numb and heavy; other days, they feel as though they are on fire. There are occasions where my legs hurt so much that I can't walk, or I have to stand up because I can't sit. My body can suddenly decide to work against me, no matter w...hat I’m in the middle of. Some symptoms, like depression, affect my mental state. It takes a lot for me to mentally and willfully decide to fight every day. To this day, my MS makes me feel afraid, especially now that I have a child. I’m always terrified that one day, I won't be able to walk, carry my son, or run with him at the park. In an uncertain world, it's important to make the decision to fight each day because we don’t know what tomorrow will bring. One day, it’s a virus. Another day, it’s a riot, a shutdown, or a supply shortage. Whatever your battle, fight with all you have because if tomorrow throws some new curve ball, you’ll be ready." - Danielle, diagnosed in 2008. Learn more about Danielle’s MS journey in our latest blog post Uncertainty in an Uncertain World: https://bit.ly/37Uuy0W.