Ohio Valley Chapter Receives Three Awards to Continue Mission of Service and Research

Cincinnati, OH — February 1, 2010 — The Ohio Valley Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society recently received three awards complimenting our efforts to mobilize people and resources to drive a cure while addressing the challenges of everyone affected by MS.

The Sutphin Family Foundation approved an award of $15,000 to fund the Society’s Services Management Program.  Through this program case manager’s assist individuals in creating care plans to allow the greatest level of independence possible, while also offering direct services such as emergency financial assistance, counseling, equipment purchase and occupational home therapy evaluations.

The Jack J. Smith Jr. Charitable Trust approved an award of $5,000 to support the Society’s Journey Club Kids Camp, a five-day camp for children with a parent or loved one with MS. Children are able to enjoy camp activities while interacting with other children in similar circumstances.  Counselor led large group, as well as small group “symptom try on” activities, increase children’s’ understanding of the disease increasing the strength of the family unit.

The Eric B. Yeiser Family Foundation approved an award of $6,000 for research specific to primary progressive MS, the most severe and potentially disabling form of the disease. Such studies include those focused on myelin repair and reversal of damage already done to nerves.

About the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Ohio Valley Chapter

The Ohio Valley Chapter of the National MS Society, founded in 1952, serves more than 6,000 people with multiple sclerosis and their families in 24 Ohio counties and the three northern Kentucky counties of Boone, Kenton and Campbell. The organization is committed to ensuring that people living with MS across our chapter territory have the information and quality care they need to live healthy, productive and independent lives. To meet these needs, a variety of programs and services that span a spectrum of needs are provided.

To learn more about multiple sclerosis or the Ohio Valley Chapter, visit www.fightMStoday.org.

This holiday season you can impact the lives of more than 6,000 people in the Ohio Valley area by donating your used vehicle. A new program, Autos-4-MS, encourages individuals or businesses to donate their old vehicles to the National MS Society, in turn, helping fund  important programs for those living with multiple sclerosis in our area.

One hundred percent of the proceeds from each vehicle benefit the National MS Society and help fund programs for clients living with multiple sclerosis. Programs offered include: Journey Club Kids Camp, Couples Programs, general education and physical health, such as aquatics and yoga. Donating your vehicle will impact the lives of not only those living with MS, but their families as well.

The spirit of giving is all around us during the holiday season. Join the movement to create a world free of MS by donating your vehicle today. To do so, contact the Ohio Valley Chapter or visit www.autos4ms.org.

About Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis interrupts the flow of information between the brain and the body and it stops people from moving. Every hour in the United States, someone is newly diagnosed with MS, an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system. Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted, but advances in research and treatment are moving us closer to a world free of MS. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with more than twice as many women as men being diagnosed with the disease. MS affects more than 400,000 people in the U.S. and 2.5 million worldwide.

About the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Ohio Valley Chapter

The Ohio Valley Chapter of the National MS Society, founded in 1952, serves more than 6,000 people with multiple sclerosis and their families in 24 Ohio counties and the three northern Kentucky counties of Boone, Kenton and Campbell. The organization is committed to ensuring that people living with MS across our chapter territory have the information and quality care they need to live healthy, productive and independent lives. To meet these needs, a variety of programs and services that span a spectrum of needs are provided.

Learn about Autos-4-MS, multiple sclerosis and the Ohio Valley Chapter at fightMStoday.org.

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