MS OKANAGAN SUMMER 2016 1 OKANAGAN MS SOCIETY OF CANADA - OKANAGAN CHAPTER NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2016 Okanagan Chapter 230-1855 Kirschner Rd Kelowna, BC V1Y 9Y9 Phone: 250-762-5850 Toll Free: 1-800-268-7258 Email: [email protected]Connect with us! Follow our Chapter on Facebook and sign up for our e-News to stay updated on events, semi- nars, and other MS news in the Okanagan Send an email to info.okanagan@ mssociety.ca to sign up for our e-News Visit: facebook.com/ mssociety.ok Chapter Website: www.mssociety.ca/ chapter/ okanagan-chapter In this issue Saturday, September 17, 2016 - Sunday, September 18, 2016 Okanagan Grape Escape msbike.ca • 1-800-268-7582 to end MS. All you need is a bike passion and the Saturday, September 17, 2016 - Sunday, September 18, 2016 Okanagan Grape Escape Board Message Staff Update MS Walk MS Bike Fundraising News Team Muck MS BC Programs and Services Upcoming Webinars MS Research Events Listing 2 4 5 7 8 10 12 3 6 11
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MS OKANAGAN SUMMER 2016 1
OKANAGANMS SOCIETY OF CANADA - OKANAGAN CHAPTER NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2016
Our Mission:To be a leader in finding a cure for multiple sclerosis
and enabling people affected by MS to
enhance their quality of life.
The MS Society of Canada is an inde-pendent, voluntary health agency and does not approve, endorse, or recom-mend any specific product or therapy, but provides infor-mation to assist in-dividuals in making their own decisions.
MS Okanagan is published by the
Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, Okanagan Chapter.We welcome your
submissions!
A message from the Board of DirectorsBy Michelle Hewitt, Chair of the Okanagan Chapter
Welcome to another MS Society newsletter everyone, and I pass on our thanks to Leanne in the Kamloops office for doing such a wonderful job with it.
In April we had a small but information-packed AGM. It was certainly great to be able to celebrate all the wonderful achievements from 2015, and 2016 is certainly shaping up to be just as successful. While we said goodbye to Hamid Butt from the board, we were pleased to welcome Chris Furey and Linda Stephen.
Summer is here - the heat is finally arriving - and, like many of you, I’m about to begin my summer hibernation from the heat.
Once again, there are changes in the Kelowna office - if a change is a good as a rest, then there’s definitely no fatigue for us! We have said goodbye to both Sarah and Natalie, who have both gone on to exciting new opportunities. We welcome Jill - and if you read her profile, I think you’ll find she’s a wonderful addition to our team. I’m just not sure where we will use her roller derby skills, though!
Thankfully, Sherry is still with us. We value her calm leadership and the creative ways she finds to support us all.
I love the Scotiabank MS Walk! It was so much fun to see so many people having a wonderful day in the sunshine. It was good to see old faces and some new ones - and I’m sure that the number of furry faces are growing each year too! I know that my Berners (Lacey and Deefer) were extremely excited and were fed many hotdogs by the HOGs!
It’s not all laughter and smiles, though. It’s an important day for the MS Society and for many of us, particularly those who newly diagnosed, to connect with each other. The first Walk I took part in after I was diagnosed was very emotional for me; to be with all of these people that were on a similar journey to me. I hope that everyone feels that sense of togetherness each year, the strength that we bring together.
Once again, we beat our target. Amazing - over $50 000 raised. My thanks, on behalf of the board, goes out to all of you.
Summer is here, our BBQ has been hard at work, which means the next major event for us is the A&W Burgers to Beat MS on August 25th. And just as summer starts to fade, the Scotiabank MS Bike - Okanagan Grape Escape - takes to the roads. There’s always lots of opportunity to take part and to volunteer, so I hope to see you there!
As always, if there are questions that you would like to put to us, your board - please get in touch, by phoning the office and leaving a message for the board, or by email at [email protected].
Hi! I’m Jill, and I’ve just taken on the role of development coordinator for the Okanagan/South Okanagan.
One thing to know about me is that I’m terrible at introducing myself, but I’ll try to cover the basics.
I’m originally from Brampton, ON and moved out west to follow my dream of being an intrepid journalist. I worked in Dawson Creek, BC as a reporter for three years before becoming the development coordinator for the Fort St. John Hospital Foundation. What can I say? My dream changed.
Like most people who I’ve met working in the non-profit world, fundraising was something that just happened to me. It’s incredibly infectious working with passionate people devoted to making a difference, and have found that I really enjoy it.
The funny thing about fundraising is that it is maybe one of the only professions where you are actively trying to work yourself out of job. The goal is to end MS, and once we accomplish that I’ll be looking in the Classifieds, but until then, my work continues.
Fun Facts About Me:
I’m a big fan of a morning routine. I just recently started drinking coffee, and can’t believe what I’ve been missing out on! I’m a ‘list person’, and have been since I was a kid. Back then, I’d even schedule myself to have fun every once in a while. I moved to Kelowna in May. Sunscreen is my best friend, and I think it should be yours too. I love travelling, but haven’t been to nearly enough places. My father’s name is Earl Earl. I’m not kidding. I’m training to be a roller derby referee. I’m really excited to work for the MS Society of Canada.
Staff UpdateThis spring brought some staffing changes at the Okanagan Chapter. In late April 2016, Natalie Davis left her position with the MS Society and in June 2016, Sarah Taylor also moved on.
Natalie joined the MS Society in 2015 and supported the Okanagan Chapter as a Community Engage-ment Assistant. Sarah joined the MS Society in 2014 and worked as the Development Coordinator for
the Okanagan and South Okanagan Chapters
We want to thank Natalie and Sarah for all of their work with the MS Society and wish them well as they pursue new opportunties.
In July 2016 we were fortunate to welcome Jil-lian (Jill) Earl as a new Development Coordinator. Please see Jill’s introduction below.
By Jillian Earl
A Hello From Our New Development Coordinator!
Recent Support from Our Community:
• Westbank Lioness Club • Helping Hands of WorkSafe BC
• Irene Marie Pelletier• Marjorie Hautaloma
• Gladys Alma Stregger• Cathy Spence
Donations in Memory Of:
MS OKANAGAN SUMMER 2016 4
The Scotiabank MS Walk in Kelowna on Sunday, May 15th was a great success. With a record 265 registered participants, and the sun shining, over $50,000 was raised for MS research, and programs and services to help people living with MS to improve their quality of life.
The incredible volunteers, and overwhelming team spirit really made the day something special. A couple highlights included having a Lamborghini from August Luxury Motors on site and the Kelowna Professional Firefighters starting participants on their walk with the horn of their firetruck.
We want to send a big thank-you to everyone that supported the Scotiabank MS Walk this year: participants, donors, volunteers, and sponsors alike.
If you would like to register now for the 2017 Scotiabank MS Walk you can reserve your spot at www.mswalks.ca.
The Largest Team was team Cyd’s Squids with 21 members.
The Top Fundraising Team was the ‘Westside Wobblers’ with $6,291.
The Top Fundraiser was Virginia Blaskovits with $2705.
Thank you to our event contributors:
EZ RockSun FMAM 1150Doak Shirreff Lawyers LLPCostcoWildplay Element ParkScandia Golf and GamesAugust Luxury MotorsE-Exit KelownaSun Rype Ekahi Centre Culligan Water
Scotiabank MS Walk2016 Kelowna Scotiabank MS Walk - A Great Success!
Some photos from the 2016 Kelowna Scotiabank MS Walk. To see more photos please visit www.flickr.com/photos/mssociety_bcyukon/albums.
The Scotiabank MS Bike – Okanagan Grape Escape is a two-day cycling fundraiser that will have you travelling over 100km and sampling some of the area’s finest exports.
Discover why the Okanagan is celebrated worldwide for its wine and fresh fruit first hand as you bike through scenic Kelowna and West Kelowna.
By registering and collecting donations, you’re supporting the MS Society of Canada’s mission to improve the lives of people living with multiple sclerosis.
Registration includes: a marked and mapped route; emergency bike mechanical support; first aid support; rest stops with water, wine, and snacks; purchase shuttle service (so you don’t have to carry your purchases); and breakfast and lunch for two days. Participants are asked to raise a minimum of $350 in order to participate, and cover the difference if this is not achieved by September 17th.
Your fundraising efforts could earn you rewards like an MS Bike jersey, shorts, and gift cards. An invitation to attend and participate in the Tour of Champions will also be awarded to participants who meet certain fundraising objectives. While the prizes are attractive, nothing will be as rewarding as knowing you are actively helping to end MS.
Cyclists of all abilities are welcome to join, and any bike is suitable for this ride. The landscape of the Okanagan Valley can prove challenging at times, so some experience is recommended. Our awesome volunteers have organized several training rides and a guide to help you prepare for ride weekend.
If you’d prefer to ditch the two wheels for two legs, consider becoming a volunteer. There are lots of opportunities to help out!
For more information about how to get involved in the Scotiabank MS Bike – Okanagan Grape Escape contact Jillian Earl at 250-762-5850, toll free 1-800-268-7582 ext. 7582 or [email protected].
Sip, Savor and Cycle in the Okanagan Grape EscapeEnjoy wine, food, and fantastic views all for a good cause!
Friday October 7 - 7:30pm B&B for the MS Society at the Frank Venables Theatre, 6100 Gala St, Oliver, BC
The Legendary Blues and Boogie Woogie piano master Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne is hailed by LIV-ING BLUES magazine as “an artist bringing the pia-no back to the front ranks of contemporary Blues.” This 2006 Juno Award winner was raised in New Orleans and his powerful music recalls the era when piano players like Fats Domino worked the “strolls” in dozens of American cities. Resplendent in one of his many multi-hued, French, custom-tailored stage suits, he’s a throwback to the golden age of classic rhythm and blues. Wayne is a soul-ful vocalist and an electrifying performer - a cross between Fats Domino and Professor Longhair.
This concert is sure to be a Wine Festival high-light and all proceeds will go directly to the South Okanagan Similkameen Chapter of the MS Soci-ety. Come early and enjoy a glass of Road 13 wine which will be available for purchase, or enjoy a glass during intermission or after the concert when you can mingle with Kenny and his incredibly tal-ented band.
All over North America and Europe, Kenny’s con-certs sell out quickly, so buy your tickets early! A link to online ticket sales is available at: mssociety.ca/events/581/ms-benefit-concert-oliver-bc.
For more information contact: Corrie Adolph, at 1-778-439-2276 or [email protected].
MS Benefit Concert - Oliver BCThrill on Blueberry Hill A Fats Domino Musical Tribute Featuring Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne and band.
Here’s your chance to Muck the West Coast… Seriously, the WHOLE West Coast!
For the 2016 season, we are happy to provide a fundraising platform for muckers attending Mud Runs in all areas of BC and the Yukon.
Register for any mud run of your choosing and then create a fundraising page through Team Muck MS BC at www.teammuckmsbc.ca.
Muckers who raise our suggested minimum of $250, online and one week prior to their chosen event, will have a Team Muck MS BC T-shirt sent to them!
If you’re in the Lower Mainland on August 16th 2016 you can join in Rugged Maniac at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds, Surrey BC. Suggested heats for Team Muck MS BC’ers to run together – 10:45am, 11:15am, 11:30am, or 11:45am.
At Ruggested Maniac, MS Society Staff will be on site at the Team Muck MS BC booth. Muckers will be able to get before and after shots as well as t-shirts for top fundraisers! Use promo code RUG-GEDMS to receive the Team Muck MS BC $10 dis-count at Rugged Maniac. When you register using this code, Rugged Maniac will also be donating $5 back to the Multiple Sclerosis Society!
In the Thomspon-Okanagan Area - Sun Peaks will be hosting the Spartan Race on September 24th and 25th and The Freakin’ Farmer is happening in Oliver on September 24th.
Find a full list of Muck events online at:www.teammuckmsbc.ca
For more information please contact our Team Muck MS BC Coordinator [email protected] or 1-800-268-7582 ext 7250.
Lower Mainland and South• Rugged Maniac – Surrey August 13th• Tough Mudder Seattle – September 24th and 25thWhistler and Squamish• Tough Mudder – Whistler June 18th and 19th• Tough Mudder Half – Whistler June 25th• Mudderella – Whistler September 24th• Battle Frog – Squamish Valley July 16thVancouver Island• Mud Mulisha – Shawnigan Lake August 20thThompson-Okanagan• Spartan Race – Sun Peaks September 24th and 25th• The Freakin’ Farmer – Oliver September 24thPrince George• Mudd Sweat and Tears – Prince George June 11thYukon• Mud Bog – Dawson City, August 14th
Step 1: Find your Muck
Step 2: Create your fundraising page and Muck MS! www.teammuckmsbc.ca
Raise $250 or more, and get a free shirt!
Register Now!
Lower Mainland and South• Rugged Maniac – Surrey August 13th• Tough Mudder Seattle – September 24th and 25thWhistler and Squamish• Tough Mudder – Whistler June 18th and 19th• Tough Mudder Half – Whistler June 25th• Mudderella – Whistler September 24th• Battle Frog – Squamish Valley July 16thVancouver Island• Mud Mulisha – Shawnigan Lake August 20thThompson-Okanagan• Spartan Race – Sun Peaks September 24th and 25th• The Freakin’ Farmer – Oliver September 24thPrince George• Mudd Sweat and Tears – Prince George June 11thYukon• Mud Bog – Dawson City, August 14th
Step 1: Find your Muck
Step 2: Create your fundraising page and Muck MS! www.teammuckmsbc.ca
Raise $250 or more, and get a free shirt!
Register Now!
Lower Mainland and South• Rugged Maniac – Surrey August 13th• Tough Mudder Seattle – September 24th and 25thWhistler and Squamish• Tough Mudder – Whistler June 18th and 19th• Tough Mudder Half – Whistler June 25th• Mudderella – Whistler September 24th• Battle Frog – Squamish Valley July 16thVancouver Island• Mud Mulisha – Shawnigan Lake August 20thThompson-Okanagan• Spartan Race – Sun Peaks September 24th and 25th• The Freakin’ Farmer – Oliver September 24thPrince George• Mudd Sweat and Tears – Prince George June 11thYukon• Mud Bog – Dawson City, August 14th
Step 1: Find your Muck
Step 2: Create your fundraising page and Muck MS! www.teammuckmsbc.ca
Raise $250 or more, and get a free shirt!
Register Now!
Lower Mainland and South• Rugged Maniac – Surrey August 13th• Tough Mudder Seattle – September 24th and 25thWhistler and Squamish• Tough Mudder – Whistler June 18th and 19th• Tough Mudder Half – Whistler June 25th• Mudderella – Whistler September 24th• Battle Frog – Squamish Valley July 16thVancouver Island• Mud Mulisha – Shawnigan Lake August 20thThompson-Okanagan• Spartan Race – Sun Peaks September 24th and 25th• The Freakin’ Farmer – Oliver September 24thPrince George• Mudd Sweat and Tears – Prince George June 11thYukon• Mud Bog – Dawson City, August 14th
Step 1: Find your Muck
Step 2: Create your fundraising page and Muck MS! www.teammuckmsbc.ca
Friendly Visitor ProgramThe Friendly Visitor Program has been up and running for a few months now. We have 3 amazing volunteers visiting those with MS living in care facilities.
We are looking for more vol-unteers, particularly in the West Kelowna area. We ask that volunteers be able to visit at least once a month. Following the completion of an application and screen-ing, volunteers receive an orientation. They are then matched to a person with MS.
For more information, please contact Sherry at 250-762-5850 or e-mail [email protected]
Coffee GroupThe coffee group meets at 2:00pm on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month at Berry Boom Yogurt Lounge at Burtch and Harvey. This is a great way to share ideas with others living with MS in a positive environment. No RSVP required.
Attention to those living in West Kelowna/Westbank: the West-side MS Support Group would very much enjoy having you join their group gatherings, either on Tuesday mornings around 10am at Tim Hortons, by Wendy’s in West Kelowna or at the Legion in West Kelowna every other Thursday at 10am for breakfast. These are only a couple of the many things that the group does together. The meetings are fun times and times to laugh and share the good things happening in people’s lives and families. New faces are al-ways welcome as they add insight and perspective. For more infor-mation, contact Lynne at 250-768-5379.
Young Adults GroupThis group is open to young adults age 19 to 40 that are affected by MS and would like to connect with others in similar situations. They meet the second Thursday of each month, 6:30pm The group has met at different pubs and restaurants. The next one will be on Thursday, August 11th - location to be determined.
Here is what one of those attending the Young Adults Group has to say, ”Even though I have great family and friend support, it helps to talk with others that can relate to what it’s like to live with MS- especially to find humour even with the difficult times. I always look forward to the next meeting.” For more information about the Young Adults Group, please contact Sherry Wezner at 250-762-5850, toll free 1-800-268-7582 ext 7299 or e-mail [email protected].
Westside MS Support GroupA recent meeting of the Young Adults Group
Independent Self Help Groups are formed by volunteers who are interested in helping to bring together individuals and families with MS. These groups operate independently, supported by the MS Society of Canada with information and resources. The MS Society recognizes the importance of support in one’s own community, and providing a means for individuals and families to reach out
and connect with each other. Each community is unique in the kind of support that is available.
To find out if there is an active self-help group in your community, or for information about starting a self-help group, please contact Sherry at 250-762-5850, toll free 1-800-268-7582 ext 7299 or e-mail [email protected].
Those with MS, their family members, friends and caregivers are welcome to attend these free ses-sions. The goal is to provide information and sup-port, and we often have guest speakers.
Our next session will be on Thursday, September 15th, from 10:30am to noon at the meeting room of the Arthritis Society, 260-1855 Kirschner Road. Our guest speaker will be Heather Soloway, Reiki Master. This was the session that was to have been held in June, and had to be rescheduled. Please see below for more information.
What is Reiki?Reiki is a natural, safe and effective healing method that uses the energy of existence to ease the body and mind. When the energy within us becomes de-pleted or blocked, we become more prone to dis-ease. The purpose of Reiki is to remove any blocks and restore vitality and flow back into the body.
How it worksReiki is performed by the therapist placing her hands gently over the clothed body of the recipient. Hands are placed at major energy centers to facili-tate the flow of energy to where the body needs it most. The client may experience heat, coolness and/or tingling sensations during treatment.Some of the possible uses of Reiki are to promote vitality and optimal health, promote relaxation and stress reduction, assist with chronic problems such as anxiety, depression, headaches or pain, and to enhance any medical treatment (not to replace Western medicine but complement it as a whole system of care).
About our Presenter“My name is Heather Soloway. I am a Reiki Master, which is the highest level of Reiki practitioner. May 20, 2013 I was diagnosed with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis.
My MS is extremely aggressive. I have been through 4 different medications since 2013, and flare-ups occurring between 2 and 6 months of each other. I began researching alternative healing options, which would complement my current Western Medicine and diet changes. I found Reiki and fell in love with the way the therapy worked.
Unlike physiotherapy or massage, Reiki is a ther-apy that you can perform on yourself. Reiki touch is over the clothing and extremely light, or can be done by not touching the person at all. Reiki can also be done lying down, in a chair, in a wheel chair or by distance meaning the person you are heal-ing doesn’t need to be in the same location to be treated.
As someone who sometimes struggles to get out of the house I have decided to offer a mobile ther-apy business with my focus being on working with people that struggle with stress, depression, physi-cal challenges, disease, pain and flare-ups. “
Please RSVP to Sherry Wezner by September 12th, at 250-762-5850, toll free 1-800-268-7582 ext 7299 or e-mail [email protected].
MS Wellness Sessions
PEERSUPPORT
PROGRAM
PEERSUPPORT
PROGRAM
You are not alone in living with multiple sclerosis.
The MS Society of Canada is pleased to offer a confidential peer support program to connect you with trained volunteers who also live with MS.
For more information, contact [email protected] 1-800-268-7582 x3149
August 9, 2016, 5 – 6:15pm Pacific TimeWorkout Your Worries: Anxiety and Exercise in MSPresented by Meghan Beier, Ph.D & Amanda Rohrig, PT, DPT
If you live with MS, you are twice as likely to experience anxiety and mood disorders. In fact, up to 60% of people with MS experience low mood or depression, and up to 40% experience anxiety. Please join psychologist Meghan Beier, Ph.D., and physical therapist Mandy Rohrig, PT, DPT, for an honest interactive conversation about recognition of mood changes and ways to manage mood with physical activity.
October 11, 2016, 5 – 6:15pm Pacific TimeTogether in MS: Supporting Family and Friends of People with MSPresented by Rosalind Kalb, Ph.D & Juliann Hanson-Zlatev, OTR
Multiple sclerosis not only affects the person with MS, but it also impacts all those who care about and provide support for the person living with the disease. Anyone in this important role experiences a variety of emotions and concerns when adapting to the challenges MS brings to their lives. This webinar will provide a unique opportunity for support partners and the person living with MS to adopt skills, strategies, and tools needed to live together fully with this chronic, unpredictable disease.
November 8, 2016, 5 – 6:15pm Pacific TimeDiet and Multiple Sclerosis: A Neurologist’s PerspectivePresented by Pavan Bhargava, MD
The Paleolithic Diet. The Mediterranean Diet. The McDougall Diet. The Swank Diet. With so many diets being promoted, it is hard to fully understand each of their nutritional benefits, possible deficiencies, and effects on multiple sclerosis. In addition to explaining the impacts that our diet has on MS and offering evidence around some popular dietary strategies, Dr. Bhargava will answer your questions and guide you to make healthy eating choices that will benefit you and your MS!
Read more and register for any of these webinars at: www.mscando.org/multiple-sclerosis-programs/webinar-series/register/
Did you miss a previous webinar? You can still watch it in the webinar archive!
Can Do Multiple Sclerosis and the National MS Society
September 20, 2016 - 8:30am Pacific TimePain Related Distress: Recognition and Appropriate Intervention Co-Hosted by Pain BC & Canadian Institute for Relief of Pain & Disability
Tamar Pincus, PhD-Professor in Health Psychology, Royal Holloway, University of London
Many people who live with chronic pain report that they also suffer from low mood, irritability, and withdrawal from activities and relationships. Although traditionally this was conceptualised as ‘depression’, new evidence suggest that it is
qualitatively different from clinical depression, and not surprisingly, the interventions that have been developed for groups with clinical depression don’t seem to be of much help in the context of chronic pain. Dr. Tamar Pincus will describe this evidence and suggest ways in which clinicians can distinguish between depression and pain-related distress. She will also describe current intervention and propose ways of improving clinical and self-management for people with chronic pain.
To register visit:attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5788328761461496321
On May 28th I was at the MS Clinic at UBC for my yearly appointment with my neurologist in the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health. Coincidently there was a tour of the research facilities organised by the MS Society division office at the same time, and Ian and I were invited to join it.
It was an exciting time to be in the building, as our first talk was by Dr Carles Vilarino-Guell. He told us of the amazing genetic breakthrough that had been made by his team. After an extensive search of genetic material collected over a 40 year period by the lab, links had been found between one gene known to affect MS in two Canadian families that were unrelated to each other, but both had family histories of multiple members with progressive MS. These findings are only possible due to the break-throughs in the human genome. We were shown two machines that costs $250k each and were no bigger than an office laser printer, that can each sequence a person’s genome in 3 days for the cost of $500 - and save it on something similar in size to an SD card - a process hard to imagine just a few short years ago.
Full details of the technical aspects of the research can be found at - news.ubc.ca/2016/06/01/ubc-vancouver-coastal-health-scientists-find-genet-ic-cause-of-multiple-sclerosis/ - but Dr Vilarino-Guell explained that for years they felt they were on the right track but had repeatedly been turned down for grant proposals. Now one relationship has been found, he hopes that many more will be found. There could be screening to see if people have this mutated gene and the search is on for therapies that will directly work on this mutation.
Next we met Dr Alex MacKay in charge of the MRI research at UBC. The research MRIs are used by all brain research at UBC, but most heavily by the MS researchers; research funded by the MS Society. Their work is so precise that they are now able to measure the thickness of myelin, and therefore use this to monitor the decline and rebuild of myelin after a relapse.
Finally, we met Dr Traboulsee who gave us a round up of some recent advances in MS research. This was quite timely too, as it was just before the re-sults of the Freedman/Atkins HSCT (hematopoietic stem cell transplantation) trial were published in the Lancet. Dr Traboulsee explained that the risks in the HSCT trial were high and that the positive results were only seen in people with MS that cor-respond to probably less than 5% of people with MS, and that the trial itself was quite small - just 24 people. A summary can be found - www.ohri.ca/newsroom/newsstory.asp?ID=786 . He mentioned that recent drugs such as Lemtrada had become widely available wince the Freedman/Atkins trial in 2001, and that they had a safer profile with a com-parable success rate.
And one to watch for those of us with progres-sive MS? Ocrelizumab will hopefully be available in early 2017, as it has currently been submitted for Health Canada approval.
It was definitely an exciting place to be. UBC is just one centre of research in Canada and across the world. There is definitely hope to #endMS with ad-vances like these being made.
Research in ActionBy Michelle Hewitt
Pain BC Website
For those with chronic pain, Pain BC is a great re-source: www.painbc.ca. The Pain BC toolbox has resources on many topics such as getting help, improving sleep, and pain management.
To access the tool kit visit: www.painbc.ca/chronic-pain/pain-toolbox.
Disclosing Disability
The Disability Alliance just released this excel-lent publication on Disclosing Disability, for those thinking of disclosing their disability to their em-ployer.
Chapter Chair Michelle HewittTreasurer Hajni RaffaiSecretary Kate SnowsellDirectors Lynda Bartie Chris Furey Ian Hewitt Jennifer Morton Linda Stephen
The Board of Directors takes on leadership roles to help in the planning and execution of committee work on behalf of the Chapter.
If you would like to be a part of this board, please contact the office for more details. To speak to the Board of Directors, please contact our office at [email protected]
UPCOMING EVENTS
August 9 - Can Do MS Webinar
August 10 - Coffee Group
August 11 - Young Adults Group
August 24 - Coffee Group
August 25 - Burgers to Beat MS
August 27 - MS Bike - Gear It Up Ride 3
September 15 - MS Wellness Session - Reiki
September 17 & 18 - MS Bike Tour - Okanagan Grape Escape
October 7 - Benefit Concert in Oliver
October 11 - Can Do MS Webinar
November 8 - Can Do MS Webinar
Okanagan Board of Directors
Make a difference for people liv-ing with MS by hosting your own MS fundraiser in your community.
Through I Challenge MS, you can do ANYTHING to raise money: from hosting a golf tournament to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, signing up for an existing event (like Ironman or Cross Country Ski race) to hosting a dinner par-ty. The options are endless!
For more information contact Development Coordinator Jill Earl at 250-762-5850, toll free 1-800-268-7582 ext. 7582 or [email protected]. or visit ichallengems.ca.
