news and events
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EMD Serono and Pfizer Inc. announce: MS Voices
The purpose of MS Voices is to provide an online meeting place for those who are impacted by MS and are looking to join with others for support, to participate in activities and exchange information. The page will be regularly updated with such features as:
• Monthly Articles
• Poll questions and answers from participants
• A themed comment wall for participants to share their thoughts with friends in the MS community
• A way to nominate someone for the Who’s Your LifeLine? recognition program, which honors inspirational individuals living with MS as well as others in the MS community
Visit MS Voices, join the discussion, and let others know about it!
[6.2010]
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Join Amelia Davis, President of MSFriends, in this amazing journey:
Moving forward is what life is all about. We Keep Moving is a site for people affected by multiple sclerosis – unique stories about what it means to live with MS and journeys of overcoming the obstacles – how we each keep moving in our own way.
Join us as we embark on a ten-week journey across the country and hear from ten amazing individuals about how they keep moving regardless of multiple sclerosis. Each week, a new story will be available for you to see, hear, and share in this exciting and inspiring journey.
Each story will be captured by an astounding team of individuals – photographer Amelia Davis, host Jason DaSilva, and producer Kate Milliken, all of whom are living with MS.
[2.2010]
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Leading MS Lifestyle Empowerment Organization Changes Name
Edwards, Colo. Nov. 2, 2009 -- Can Do Multiple Sclerosis is the new name of the nation’s leading provider of lifestyle empowerment programs for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and their support partners, announced Kim Sharkey, CEO, Can Do MS.
Formerly The Heuga Center for Multiple Sclerosis, Can Do MS conducted months of research, assessments, planning and strategic development to position its distinct competitive advantages in the fast-evolving field of MS care management. Based on the research, the board of directors determined the new name best reflects the organization’s core beliefs, builds a stronger brand and creates new national collaborative opportunities with organizations. This initiative of Can Do MS will expand the organization’s national reach and grow its support while helping more people change the way they see themselves living with MS.
“Twenty-five years ago our organization’s founder, Jimmie Heuga, introduced a pioneering philosophy of active self-care that inspired people to act on the belief that they are more than their MS,” said Sharkey. “Our new name and brand reflect our growing role as a unique educator that uses health, wellness and lifestyle principles to empower people with the knowledge, skills, tools and confidence to realize their power to create well-being and transform their lives. Our CAN DO, CAN DO 2 and JUMPSTART programs have helped thousands of people living with MS reclaim a sense of dignity, control and freedom by teaching them how to take charge of their MS and tailor lifestyle strategies to help them live their best lives.”
“We’ve spent the last three years growing our capacity, improving our governance and operational efficiency to ensure we’re a thriving organization for another 25 years,” said John Shipp, Board of Directors President, Can Do MS. “Now it’s time to focus on expanding our complementary approach to traditional medical treatments that fills a critical gap in the continuum of MS care services. Traditional medical models for managing chronic disease tend to overlook many important aspects of living with MS, including the emotional, interpersonal, mental and social health of a patient. We offer a comprehensive, personalized and interdisciplinary approach to enable people to become active co-managers of their health and well-being.”
Can Do MS connects the expertise of industry professionals from across the field of MS care management, including neurologists, psychologists, occupational and physical therapists, speech and language pathologists, registered nurses, physicians and nutritionists. It offers the industry’s top programs that address the needs, concerns and challenges of support partners, such as family members or friends. The programs allow support partners to be acknowledged, understood, accepted and respected by a community of peers and health professionals. The organization also works collaboratively with MS care providers and organizations to support the journey to more empowered living.
Can Do MS not only has a positive impact on the overall well-being of the patient, but is gaining a positive effect on the entire field of MS care management, including medical providers, allied health professionals and insurance providers, according to Sharkey. “The health care industry is now looking to comprehensive wellness programs as a viable complementary care option and clinically sound approach to reduce health care costs while improving the conditions of patients,” she said.
A national nonprofit organization based in Edwards, Colo., Can Do MS is an innovative provider of lifestyle empowerment programs that empower people with MS and their support partners to transform and improve their quality of life. For more information, visit the organization’s Web site at www.mscando.org or call 970-926-1270.
[11.2009]
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Join Find A Cure Panel for MS Research and Help Support MS Friends
We are excited to announce an affiliation with Find A Cure Panel where people with MS can participate in quantitative online research designed specifically for them. For every survey completed by those who register, Find A Cure Panel will donate a minimum of $25 to MS Friends.
This is a great way for you to impact the development of future treatment for MS while supporting MS Friends.
You can complete the two minute profile, by clicking below:
[07.2009]
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Rock for MS 2009 (click to download PDF Press Release)
Bimbo’s 365 Club
San Francisco, CAApril 23, 2009
To purchase tickets, please visit: Bimbo's 365 Club Ticket Sales
New partnerships, including Amnesty International’s Dignity Campaign, to launch at this innovative live music event featuring Grammy-winner Shelby Lynne, Best of the Bay’s funk band Monophonics, SF’s Aidan Hawken, surprise guests and an online auction of rare rock ’n roll art and photography.
“Rock for MS” events are noted for their creativity and energy, and this year’s supercharged fundraiser set to kick off at 7pm Thursday, April 23, at Bimbo’s 365 Club, is sure to propel that reputation. “Rock for MS” 2009 will offer a stellar live music lineup featuring Grammy-winning headliner Shelby Lynne, Best of the Bay’s funk band Monophonics, SF’s Aidan Hawken, and many surprise special guests. The action will keep moving courtesy of MC Renee Richardson of KFOG’s “Morning Show.”
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Amnesty International’s Dignity Campaign partners with MSFriends
This year’s Rock for MS event also marks the beginning of a new partnership with Amnesty International’s Dignity Campaign — an initiative targeting the global right to health and access to health care. We encourage you to join Amnesty International as a member to support their Dignity Campaign. The Dignity Campaign will provide you with opportunities throughout the year to support the global right to health and access to health care.
Click here to become a member
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Squaw Valley USA
Olympic Village, CASaturday and Sunday
March 7-8, 2009To register, please visit: VEMS Squaw 2009
For more information, email: here.
Fun-filled weekend for skiers and boarders to challenge themselves, challenge the mountain, and change lives. Teams of three raise a minimum of $1,000 to participate in this 2-day on-snow extravaganza. Participants receive complimentary lift tickets at Squaw Valley and access to all VEMS events, including a race clinic, dual giant slalom competition, wine and beer reception, all-mountain challenge scavenger hunt, and awards ceremony. Volunteers also needed.
The Vertical Express for MS supports the Heuga Center for MS in its efforts to provide wellness programs that focus on the whole person and family living with the impacts of MS. The Heuga Center follows that the philosophy that a person can have a chronic disease and also maintain their health.
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Bloomingdale’s San Francisco, The Men’s Store on 4
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Reception: 6:30PM
Live performance: 7:00PMTo attend, please RSVP to: 415.856.5577
Live Performance by Lane Four, featuring Layla Allman, daughter of Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer, Gregg Allman, of the legendary Allman brothers band.
Check out this amazing exhibit of vintage and iconic photographs of the world’s greatest musicians with their guitars: Jimi Hendrix, Elvis Presley, Keith Richards, b.b. King, Jimmy Page, bob Dylan, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and more. World renown rock photographer Jim Marshall will make a special appearance. bloomingdale’s is proud to donate 10% of the evening’s sales from The Men’s Store to MsFriends.
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Koffeehouse Ford Amphitheater Charity Concert
Sunday, August 10, 2008, Early Show: 5:30PM, Main Show: 7:30PM
A percentage of all ticket sales will be donated to MSFriends.
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Duncan Miller Gallery features Marshall in Platinum
July 24, 2008, 7-10PM (Opening Reception)
Following the Rock for MS event in Los Angeles on July 23, the Duncan Miller Gallery will be featuring the works of Jim Marshall in Platinum Prints. There will be an opening reception from 7-10PM on July 24 and the exihibit will be on display until September 6, 2008.
A percentage of all art sales will be donated to MSFriends.
Duncan Miller Gallery
10959 Venice Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90034
310-838-2440
info@duncanmillergallery.com
gallery hours: thursday-saturday 11-6 and by appointment
[07.2008]
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MSFriends and Burke Williams Spa are pleased to invite you to a SPA
(Strengthen Your Physical Awareness) eventThursday, March 20, 2008 from 7-9 PM
Join us for a wellness event spotlighting the work of MSFriends, the nation's only 24/7 hotline for people with MS. Burke Williams Spa will present the benefits of massage therapy for people living with mutiple sclerosis. Enjoy complimentary hand and foot massage and an introduction to facials and all spa services, and savor food & wine from Betelnut Restaurant.
Westfield Center, 845 Market Street Suite 510, San Francisco (at Mission and Fifth Streets), parking at the Fifth and Mission Street Garage
RSVP by March 15 to 415-694-7995
for more information, please call 415-278-9740 x2731
[03.2008]
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Amelia Davis Reflecting
Join us for a benefit for MSFriends and Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple SclerosisMarch 27, 2008 6-9PM
©Amelia DavisAmelia Davis, President of MSFriends talks about living her life as an award winning photographer with a Chronic Illness.
$25 Ticket cocktails, hors d' oeuvres, music and Silent Auction.
Gallery 291 has generously offered to donate 10% of all artwork sales proceeds to the two nonprofits.
GALLERY 291
291 Geary Street, San Francisco, CA 94102RSVP Sarah Nels: 415-392-0100
[03.2008]
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The Real World of MS brought to you by Betaplus (formerly MS Pathways)
The Real World of MS is an innovative series of free on-demand webcasts filmed in front of a live studio audience of people with MS. It's all about taking on the issues that really matter to you.
To participate in The Real World of MS series, visit http://betaseron.com/patients/betaplus/index.jsp. After registering you will be ready to view the latest webcast, "Spasticty in Multiple Sclerosis," hosted by Dr. Bhuperdra Khatri who is a Board Certified Neurologis and is the Medical Director of the Center for Neurological Disorders and The Regional MS Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Archives of past webcasts are available for you to view at your leisure.
[09.2009}
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2007 Accelerated Cure Project Annual Event - San Francisco
The 2007 Accelerated Cure Project is holding their annual event in San Francisco on Friday, November 9th; 2007, 6:30pm to 10:00pm. To learn more about the event please visit their website by clicking 2007 Accelerated Cure Project Annual Event website.
Amelia Davis, President of MSFriends will present a lecture about MSFriends at the event!
[10.30.2007]
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Save the Date, October 15, 2007
Photography's biggest night of the year. The 5th Annual Lucie Awards presented by Pilsner Urquell Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center, New York City. The 2007 Lucie Award Honorees are Elliott Erwitt, Ralph Gibson, Philip Jones Griffiths, Kenro Izu, Heinz Kluetheier, Eugene Richards, Lord Snowdon, Deborah Turbeville and Howard Zieff.
[08.29.2007]
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The Heuga Center for Multiple Sclerosis
The Heuga Center will honor the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Coalition at The Heuga Center's 22nd Annual Autumn Benefit October 23, 2007 at the St. Regis Hotel in New York City. The MS Coalition is an affiliation of independent MS organizations dedicated to the enhancement of the quality of life for those affected by MS.
"By honoring the MS Coalition, we strengthen our mission and show our commitment to advocating for the entire MS community," said Brian Hutchinson, president of The Heuga Center.
The MS Coalition's mission is to increase opportunities for cooperation and provide greater opportunity to leverage the effective use of resources for the benefit of the MS community. "One team with one dream is the spirit of the Coalition's efforts."
The VisionWorks Foundation, Inc., MSFriends Initive is one of nine members of the MS Coalition.
[08.10.2007]
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Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers
The annual meeting of the CMSC is currently taking place in Washington, DC from May 30 - June 2, 2007. You can download the latest daily news from the conference in PDF format here:
Daily Newsletters: 1 June 2007 CMSC newsletter (pdf) -- see MSFriends on p. 2 Highlights! 31 May 2007 CMSC newsletter (pdf) 30 May 2007 CMSC newsletter (pdf)
[06.01.2007]
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MS Awareness Week: March 5-11 2007
MS Awareness Week is a nationwide campaign that will raise awareness about multiple sclerosis and the people that it impacts.
[09.01.2006]
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Rock for MS 2006 - October 10 at the Stephan Weiss Studio
Rock for MS is an annual fundraising event for MSFriends. For Rock for MS, all the major rock photographers come together and donate their photographs to help raise money and awareness for Multiple Sclerosis.
This year's Rock for MS will be held on Tuesday, October 10, 2006, from 7pm at the Stephan Weiss Studio in New York City and is sponsored by Donna Karan.
See the upcoming events section for more details.
[09.10.2006]
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If you would like to be an MSFriends phone volunteer, go to the volunteers section to view the requirements.
[09.02.2006]
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MSFriends new website was launched today (www.msfriends.org). MSFriends is a 24/7 helpline of "Friends Helping Friends" for the Multiple Sclerosis community. The MSfriends website is a portal for the education and awareness of Multiple Sclerosis. The site contains links to MS resources and with updates on the fundraising events for MSFriends. It also is a gateway for the MSFriends Volunteers to get keep in touch with MSFriends and to log-in to the Volunteer database.
The website was developed and designed by 6+8 (Six Feet Up & eight fluid ounces) utilizing the beautiful and touching photographs of patients with MS, donated by MSFriends President Amelia Davis from her book My Story: A Photographic Essay on Life with Multiple Sclerosis.
[03.08.2006]