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May/June 2004 Chairman’s Message p. 2 Support Groups p. 19 Research Highlights p. 6 Calendar of Events p. 20 Greater Connecticut Chapter The National MS Society... One thing people with MS can count on. This is Why We Ride . Tour for the Cure ...Sights and Sounds ...and More! MS Bike Tour MS 150 Bike Tour Sunday, June 6 September 18 & 19 This is why we ride – to meet our activity. Griffin Center provides the 2004 goal to raise a combined total perfect central Connecticut location of $350,000 in the two events. This for a bike festival. Choose from 10, is why we need you and your family 25, 50, 75 and 100 mile routes. and friends. If you are looking for an event that Whether you’re a once-in-a-century will excite fellow workers or double as cyclist or a pedal-churning fanatic, get a reunion of family and friends, this ready to saddle up and select the tour is it. When the ride is over everyone f you’ve got the bike, we’ve got that’s right for you. relaxes and chats. You can build the ride . riding is a fun way community spirit by organizing you can help raise the dollars With tours of several lengths to I friends, family and co-workers needed to fund research crucial in choose from, the bkm/Steelcase MS together into a tour team. the fight against MS, and provide the Bike Tour, a Tour for the Cure is a vital programs, information and perfect event for those who want to Fundraising isn’t hard! Teams and equipment that assist those coping push themselves to the limit, or individuals can create their own web with its devastating effects. simply enjoy a recreational outdoor continued on page 10 Yale Team Wins MS Research Center Award eurobiologist Jeffrey D. Kocsis, “All four of the new centers are In multiple sclerosis, an immune PhD, of Yale University focusing on an area of MS research attack is launched that wreaks havoc NSchool of Medicine, and a that raises tremendously exciting in the central nervous system, team of top-notch Yale scientists and possibilities – nerve tissue repair,” damaging nerve-insulating myelin physicians have been named one of says Stephen C. Reingold, PhD, the and nerve fibers (axons) in the brain four new MS Collaborative Research Society’s Vice President of Research and spinal cord. Jeffery D. Kocsis, Centers established by the National Programs. “By combining the skills PhD, and colleagues have shown that Multiple Sclerosis Society to speed the of experts in MS research, and injecting bone marrow cells from the search for the cause and cure of multi- specialists in similar diseases, or in thigh bone of rats into their veins ple sclerosis. new technological advances, these repairs myelin damage induced in The Kocsis team will use a five-year, Centers hold great potential for their spinal cords. $825,000 Collaborative MS Research speeding efforts to bring novel Now, with funding from the Research Center Award to explore facets of tis- methods of tissue repair to the fore Center Award, he is applying his sue damage in MS and to test ways of MS treatment.” findings and taking them further in cell transplantation can protect and The Awards do not fund “bricks and continued on page 9 repair central nervous system tissue. mortar” laboratory facilities, but The group is focusing on strategies to rather allow for flexible spending by restore function in persons with MS. collaborating teams based at the The new Collaborative MS Research same or separate institutions. Each of Center Awards adds $3.3 million to the four new Centers focuses on the the Society’s long-term research debilitating, immune-based damage Tickets still available for commitments to more than 300 that occurs when MS attacks nerve- Women Against MS Luncheon research projects totaling over $50 insulating myelin and nerve fibers in (see page 3). million. the brain and spinal cord. CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE MAY/JUNE 2004 by Dan Doty, Chairman (860) 953-0601 1-(800) FIGHT MS (344-4867) he recently completed Bayer MS Walk Fax (860) 953-0602 once again reinvigorated me and clearly demonstrated to me why I walk. www.nationalmssociety.org or T www.ctnmss.org (Local Web Site) For me the MS walk is like therapy – a homecoming; a spiritual event; an emotional uplift. Thousands of Publication of the National volunteers from all walks of life descend on nine Multiple Sclerosis Society locations in Connecticut with one overriding mis- Greater Connecticut Chapter sion: to improve the lives of folks with MS. Chairman, Board of Trustees I’ve been a member of the Greater Connecticut Chapter for over 10 years Dan Doty now, and each year has been more successful than the past. In fact, it was President and Chief the commitment and enthusiasm of both the chapter staff and the Professional Officer volunteers at my first walk in 1991 that convinced me of my need to get Lisa Gerrol more involved. It was the year that our son Max was born, and my wife Chapter Programs Director Rebecca’s MS was getting to be a nuisance. Jill Zorn Community Programs Director At the UCONN Clinic, we noticed a walk flyer. I had never asked anyone Susan Raimondo for money before, but I was interested in getting involved. Asking for Communication Director donations was no problem for Rebecca, who was a professional political Jane Ferketic campaign manager. We registered for the walk. I reluctantly asked some of my closest friends and family members to support my efforts that year. The Greater Connecticut Much to my surprise their support was overwhelming. Chapter of the National Multiple As I learned more about the Society and its impact on both research and Sclerosis Society is proud to be services, I became convinced that I needed to become more involved. Over a source of information about the years, as new treatments have become available and the Connecticut multiple sclerosis. Our comments Chapter has rolled out more and more programs, my family has benefited are based on professional greatly, both directly and indirectly, from the experience. Being part of the advice, published experience Walk Team, the MS Team, has made us feel that what we do matters and is and expert opinion, but do not making a difference. represent therapeutic recom- mendation or prescription. For This year, our son Max put together his own MS Walk team through his specific information, consult a school. He was overwhelmed by the number of kids interested in qualified physician. participating – four of whom, each has a parent with MS. We’re thrilled that so many kids are eager to help. We had been trying to find a way for The Greater Connecticut Max to have some fun and feel like he is helping mom. He came up with Chapter of the National Multiple the idea and did most of the organizing himself. He must take after his Sclerosis Society does not mother. endorse products, services or manufacturers. Such names Last year the Connecticut Chapter had its first million-dollar walk. This appear in this publication solely was a huge milestone – only a few chapters have ever achieved it. All because they are considered preliminary information indicates this year’s walk is a great success also. valuable information. The Good thing, because the cost of funding research and programs is chapter assumes no liability enormous. whatsoever for the contents or Therefore, it’s up to us!! MS is no longer viewed as an untreatable illness use of any product or service with little or no hope for its victims. We can all feel very proud of the fact mentioned. that the hard-earned money we’ve contributed and raised in past years has The publisher reserves the right positively changed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people with MS. to refuse advertising deemed This is why I walk! inappropriate to the philosophy of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Call to Action © 2004 National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater Connecticut Chapter hanks to significant advances in research, the FDA has approved several treatments that may alter the T underlying disease course of multiple sclerosis, and early treatment is critically important. People with MS should consult their doctors about using one of these FDA-approved medications and other effective treatments for the symptoms of MS. If you or someone you know has MS, contact the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at Member Charity 1-800-FIGHT MS or nationalmssociety.org for more www.chcct.org information. ■ 2 Toll-Free Number: 1 800 FIGHT MS HIGHLIGHTS Women Against MS HARTFORD NEW HAVEN Friday, May 21, 2004 Friday, September 10, 2004 at at careerbuilder.com Oakdale Theater Aqua Turf Club in Wallingford in Southington Sue Thomas Susan Campbell Susan Bysiewicz Jocelyn Maminta Author/television/ of the Secretary of State of WTNH TV radio personality Hartford Courant Keynote Speaker Emcee Keynote Speaker Emcee Elected Secretary of State in 1998, Join us to hear Sue Thomas, who recently was after serving three terms in the Connecticut diagnosed with MS. Sue Thomas’ remarkable life is Legislature, Susan Bysiewicz is the author of Ella: dramatized in the PAX TV hit show A Biography of Governor Ella Grasso, “Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye.” Join us to hear Sue tell her the nation’s first woman governor. inspiring story. Join us to hear Susan talk about the growing role of women in our democracy and share stories of inspiring women who have influenced her throughout her life. For more information or to reserve your seat, contact Mary McClintock at (860) 953-0601 x235 or [email protected] These networking opportunities are open to people with MS and their families.