Retirement News Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada

MS Event

The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada is Canada’s foremost voluntary-based organization that focuses in multiple sclerosis (MS) research, education and the provision of services to people with MS and their families and caregivers. Its mission is to be a leader in finding a cure for multiple sclerosis and enabling people affected by MS to enhance their quality of life. Since its founding in 1948, the core support of the MS Society has been from tens of thousands of dedicated individuals, companies and foundations in communities across Canada.

Eighty-five per cent of the MS Society’s net revenue is devoted to program areas: MS research, services for people with MS and their families, MS clinics, social action, public education and chapter development.

Ending multiple sclerosis
Canadian MS researchers have made incredible advances in the knowledge and treatment of multiple sclerosis. Canadian MS research successes include:

At present in Canada, many young scientists-in-training gravitate toward other fields of investigation because of a widely-held perception that those fields are more generously funded than MS. In other cases, junior scientists and clinicians go abroad because they believe Canada offers fewer opportunities for advancement, collaboration, recognition and investigative freedom.

To address this urgent need, the MS Society launched endMS, a five-year campaign with a goal of raising $60 million to recruit, train, support, and retain the next generation of MS researchers in Canada, and to accelerate their research activities in finding a cure and improving treatments for MS.

Funds from the campaign will help attract and train young researchers and retain seasoned scientists in an effort to speed the pace of discovery.

MS affects anyone
In communities across Canada, volunteers and staff provide information and referral, support, educational events, individual advocacy and other resources for people with MS and their families.

Bike Tour

The MS Society has been offering programs and services that provide respite, validation and social networking for caregivers of persons with MS for a number of years. In 2008, participants in the national caregiver teleconference learned about self care, coping strategies and other relevant information about caregiving. MS caregivers from across Canada got an opportunity to listen to a healthcare professional about those issues and a long-time MS Society volunteer’s personal perspective about his role as a caregiver.

Last summer, children and teens with MS from across Canada and the United States got the chance for a week-long adventure at the Easter Seals Camp Merrywood in Perth, Ontario. Campers made friends and enjoyed activities that were designed to accommodate a wide range of interests and skill sets. They spent a few unforgettable days of new adventures and friendships in an accessible and supportive environment. The camp provided children and teens who share similar life experiences an opportunity to meet.

The need is now
The MS Society is asking the federal government for policy changes that would allow more people with MS to stay at work and remain part of their communities.

In March and again in June 2008, MS Society volunteers and staff met with key politicians to ask for immediate action on making modest improvements to current programs that will have significant benefit for people affected by MS, their families and caregivers.

In the fall, MS Society members and friends are given the opportunity to sign a petition supporting the MS Society’s recommendations to the federal government. These recommendations to current programs include:

About the MS Society

Yoga DVD

A small group of dedicated volunteers in Montreal founded the MS Society of Canada in 1948 after contact with the newly established National MS Society (USA). Support of MS research began in 1949. Volunteers serve on MS Society national, division and chapter boards and committees. An estimated 13,500 women and men are volunteers for service programs, fundraising events, public awareness campaigns and government relations activities. Along with these committed volunteers, more than 120,000 Canadians participate in MS Society fundraising events.

Funds raised by the MS Society are used to support research, client services, public education, government relations and volunteer resources. Major fundraising programs are the MS Walk, RONA MS Bike Tour, MS Carnation Campaign, RONA MS Bike Tour, MS Read-A-Thon, direct marketing program and leadership giving.

The MS Society is a charter member of the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF).

For more information on the MS Society of Canada, visit www.mssociety.ca.

For more information on the endMS campaign, visit www.endms.ca.