FUNDRAISING FOR A CURE WITH EACH STEP A very warm thank you to all parcipants, volunteers, donors and sponsors who made the Mandarin MS Walk such a great success! Because of you, we are now one step closer to a world free of MS. More than $3.8 million in pledges was raised by 18,000 parcipants, including 2,000 teams, in 57 communies throughout Ontario. Congratulaons to everyone on this fantasc achievement. TAKE THE LEAD IN THE FIGHT to end MS – help plan the 2017 MANDARIN MS WALK! If you like to organize, lead a group, be part of a team, or network in your community, consider joining a Mandarin MS Walk commiee. Every year more than 40,000 Canadians in more than 160 communies across the country gather to fundraise and walk together to show support and fight to end MS. As a community fundraising event, each Mandarin MS Walk relies on volunteers to make the magic happen. Volunteering with a Mandarin MS Walk commiee will take a few hours each month, and offers a great opportunity for you to make a posive impact in your community. For more informaon contact us at [email protected]. REGISTER FOR 2017 Connue your commitment to ending MS. Pre-register now for the 2017 Mandarin MS Walk at mswalks.ca/ontario2017 mswalks.ca FOOTNOTES SUMMER EDITION
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Fundraising For a cure with each stepA very warm thank you to all participants, volunteers, donors and sponsors who made the Mandarin MS Walk such a great success! Because of you, we are now one step closer to a world free of MS. More than $3.8 million in pledges was raised by 18,000 participants, including 2,000 teams, in 57 communities throughout Ontario. Congratulations to everyone on this fantastic achievement.
take the lead in the Fight to end MS – help plan the 2017 Mandarin Ms walk!
If you like to organize, lead a group, be part of a team, or network in your community, consider joining a Mandarin MS Walk committee. Every year more than 40,000 Canadians in more than 160 communities across the country gather to fundraise and walk together to show support and fight to end MS. As a community fundraising event, each Mandarin MS Walk relies on volunteers to make the magic happen. Volunteering with a Mandarin MS Walk committee will take a few hours each month, and offers a great opportunity for you to make a positive impact in your community. For more information contact us at [email protected].
500-250 Dundas St. W., Toronto, ON M5T 2Z5 • [email protected] • 1-888-822-8467
Samara Bleiwas is the proud mother of three young boys, Jack, Ryan and Max. Once a full-time teacher, she now takes care of the boys and runs a kids t-shirt clothing company. “I’ve always wanted to run a marathon,” says Samara, “and maybe I will one day.” Samara was diagnosed with MS last fall. “At first I was defeated. I was devastated. I allowed myself to be angry for a while, but I have a life to live, and a family to take care of. It was important to me to push through and be positive.”
About living with MS, Samara says, “I have optic neuritis with very limited vision in my right eye. Learning to rely on my left eye, I’ve had to become much more in tune with my body. I know the only person who can put limitations on me is me.”
“Before being diagnosed I resolved to not do things I didn’t want to do and I feel the same way now. I want to do what serves me well, and be around people who love me and support me.”
Samara registered for the Toronto Mandarin MS Walk as a way of showing support for a cause that was important to
her. “If I can turn something bad that’s happened to me into something positive, I will.” After registering she sent messages to friends and family. “I thought, I’ll put this on Facebook and see what happens,” and she was surprised by the support she received. “I remember we raised $3000 in one day, and I felt so overwhelmed.” Team Bleiwas formed from the same friends and family and kept growing. By Walk day there were 70 people on the team who raised over $60,000 combined. “Walking with 70 people on my team is such an incredible memory. Despite the rainy weather everyone was there. It meant a lot to me. My kids walked with smiles and didn’t complain. We were wet and cold, but we had fun.”
Samara has a lot of hope for the future. “It's 2016, and I feel positive. There’s a lot of research and treatments available all over the world. I do worry, but I’m hopeful there will be a cure.”
Ms society Funds new studies in treatMents For progressive Ms Your support makes a big difference! With research advancing at a promising pace, we’re making real strides toward the day when Canadians will no longer have to live with MS. This year the MS Society of Canada and the Centre for Drug Research and Development (CDRD) funded two translational research studies to close the gap between discovery research in the lab and clinical trials, in order to accelerate the delivery of tangible treatments for people with multiple sclerosis. Both studies focus on therapies for progressive MS which currently has no approved treatment options. Read more at mssociety.ca/research-news.
BecoMe a partner in progress By becoming one of our Partners in Progress monthly supporters, you can play a leadership role in the search for a cure to end MS. Monthly donations provide reliable support so we can continue to fund new research. Visit mssociety.ca/monthlygiving
stay involved
Join the largest cycling series in North America! Ranging from 30km to 150km, these one or two-day tours are suitable for all skill levels. Participate or volunteer today. msbike.ca
5km. 15 obstacles. The mud run to end MS. Get mucky with us September 24 in Hamilton. Register online at muckms.ca
Visit your local A&W on August 25, where $1 from every Teen Burger sold will be donated to end MS.
