Studies in England have found that the combination of low vitamin D levels and mononucleosis might raise a person's risk for multiple sclerosis. As someone who's had mono not once, but twice, and has low levels of vitamin D (thanks working in an office all day), I'd kind of like to know if that's true or not.
Researchers at Scripps Florida claim to be able to stop MS in mice by knocking out TH17, a malfunctioning white blood cell in patients with MS and other autoimmune diseases. While they may not be sure if it's a treatment or a cure, it still sounds cool--would also be awesome if patients could take a pill rather than giving themselves injections every day!
The US Patent Office has approved a new patent for Acorda's AMPYRA. It is approved as a treatment to improve walking in patients with MS. I wonder if it would also work for patients with Parkinson's.
Also, the National MS Society has a variety of Walk MS events going on throughout the spring across the country. The National Capital Chapter just rounded out their series of walks this weekend. Over the summer, various chapters will be hosting bike rides, mud runs, luncheons, and golf tournaments, and in the fall Challenge Walks will begin. If you are interested in getting involved with one of these events, contact your local chapter.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Happy hour was a success!
This past Wednesday, I hosted a happy hour at McFadden's in Washington, DC to raise funds for the MS Society. I'm pleased to say that, despite my fears otherwise, it was a success! I raised $130 in cover charges alone that day, simply by asking people to come have a drink with me for a good cause.
What was particularly surprising to me about this event was the outpouring of support I received from people who were unable to attend. Over the course of the day, incredibly generous people donated $215 directly to the National MS Society through my personal page, and emailed me to apologize for being unable to make it to the event that evening. From these donations, my fundraising total went from $410 at the start of the day to $625 by the time I went to bed.
Once the cover charges have been processed by the MS Society (should hit my personal page sometime next week), I will be over halfway to the $1500 fundraising minimum set by Capital Challenge Walk MS.
And halfway is a pretty good spot to be for April with 5 months to go to the fundraising deadline.
What was particularly surprising to me about this event was the outpouring of support I received from people who were unable to attend. Over the course of the day, incredibly generous people donated $215 directly to the National MS Society through my personal page, and emailed me to apologize for being unable to make it to the event that evening. From these donations, my fundraising total went from $410 at the start of the day to $625 by the time I went to bed.
Once the cover charges have been processed by the MS Society (should hit my personal page sometime next week), I will be over halfway to the $1500 fundraising minimum set by Capital Challenge Walk MS.
And halfway is a pretty good spot to be for April with 5 months to go to the fundraising deadline.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Happy Hour at McFadden's
Asking people for money is hard. Asking the same people for money four years in a row is downright difficult. This year, so that I can ease the burden on my friends (as young professionals and students, we don't have as deep of pockets as we might wish), I am partnering with McFadden's DC to host a happy hour to raise funds for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The details are:
Happy hour at McFadden's!
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
5:45pm--8:00pm
2401 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC
To raise funds for the National MS Society so that one day, no one is diagnosed with MS
$5 cover at the door (tell the hostess you are with the Sarah Wolf event for the MS Society)
DRINK SPECIALS!:
$3 domestic drafts
$3 well liquor drinks
$3 house wines by the glass
If you live in the DC area, I hope you are able to make it for a little while. If you aren't, I encourage you to send the details along to your friends who might be (the facebook event can be found here) or to make a donation directly at my personal page, just click the button that says "Donate to Sarah"
I hope to see you on the 20th!
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Another reason to walk
This afternoon I sent an outlook meeting invitation to the DC Regional team of Teach For America, as well as my colleagues next door on the DC National team of Teach For America. I didn't expect any responses to this email other than simple accepts or declines of the invitation, and I was floored when I received a response from a colleague in Chicago who I have never met. Jamie had received my invitation on behalf of one of our coworkers next door and took the time to email me back:
After reading Jamie's email, I couldn't help but visit the website mentioned. And I am so glad I did. Once again, I have found a new reason to walk, a new reason to raise funds, and a new reason to redouble my efforts to ensure that one day there will be a cure for MS. Stacie Nelson has been diagnosed with MS for almost 20 years, and in the last year, her medications caused her to come down with an infection. This infection has led to Progressive Multifocal Luekoencephalopathy (PML) and has forced her to live in a nursing home to receive 24 hour care. Her family, including her two children, is paying for her care out of pocket, without help from insurance. No one should be forced to live in a situation where their medications make them sicker and insurance doesn't offset the cost.
I walk so that, one day, the treatments won't be worse than the disease. I walk so that, one day, children won't have to watch their parents struggle to live independently. I walk so that, one day, no one will hear the words "you have MS."
From: ------, Jamie
Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2011 6:14 PM
To: Wolf, Sarah
Subject: FW: Friends of Stacie Nelson
Importance: Low
Hi Sarah,
I just received your invite on behalf of Rex Varner for the MS Happy Hour you are hosting. Ironic, the timing of your invite came the same day I forwarded the below request to my Chicago friends asking to help a family currently battling MS. After I read “why you walk” I wanted to share with you a website I created to help the family below, since it seems like you use stories of others to help motivate you for all that you do. You really are an inspiration! Kudos to you! If you have a direct donation page, I would like to donate to your walk, since I cannot attend the happy hour (I live in Chicago).
You go girl! JJamie
From: --------, Jamie
Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2011 2:02 PM
To:
Subject: Friends of Stacie Nelson
Importance: Low
Hello Friends,
I am writing to request a few minutes of your time to click on the below website, and kindly extend any help you can to the family of Stacie Nelson who is a young mother of two boys, has been battling MS for 20 years, and is now losing that battle and requires around-the-clock care at a nursing facility. By way of background, this family is very involved in their community and always go out of their way to help others in need. Now it is time where they are in need of the help that they usually give. Please help this family in whatever way you can!
Thank you so very much!!!Jamie --------
After reading Jamie's email, I couldn't help but visit the website mentioned. And I am so glad I did. Once again, I have found a new reason to walk, a new reason to raise funds, and a new reason to redouble my efforts to ensure that one day there will be a cure for MS. Stacie Nelson has been diagnosed with MS for almost 20 years, and in the last year, her medications caused her to come down with an infection. This infection has led to Progressive Multifocal Luekoencephalopathy (PML) and has forced her to live in a nursing home to receive 24 hour care. Her family, including her two children, is paying for her care out of pocket, without help from insurance. No one should be forced to live in a situation where their medications make them sicker and insurance doesn't offset the cost.
I walk so that, one day, the treatments won't be worse than the disease. I walk so that, one day, children won't have to watch their parents struggle to live independently. I walk so that, one day, no one will hear the words "you have MS."
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