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Our Mission:To be a leader in finding a cure for multiple sclerosis
and enabling those affected by MS to
enhance their quality of life.
Thank you for your support in
achieving our mission!
The respective Boards of the South Vancouver Island (SVIC) and Central Island Chapters (CIC) have determined that it is in the best interests of their respective Chapters and members to combine their resources and membership. The CIC (Nanaimo, Port Alberni and Parksville/Qualicum) of the MS Society have been experiencing fundraising and operational challenges. They have been struggling for some time now but their operations are no longer viable and their Board has requested a merger with SVI. Your Executive and Board have examined the various issues and have determined that we are capable of assisting and that this merger represents the best solution to assist our friends in need in these communities.As of January 1, 2013 we will
South VancouverIsland Chapter
Executive Director’s Update by Todd Abercrombie:
Merger of South Vancouver Island and Central Vancouver Island Chapters of MS Society
Volunteers are the backbone of our organization. Along with staff, you are active partners in fulfilling our mission. The contributions made by volunteers are multi-faceted and enhance the services of the MS Society by:• Bringing a diverse community perspective to the Society• Providing a wide variety of ideas, skills and experiences• Keeping the organization accountable to its mission• Bringing credibility because you are not financially
compensated• Acting as ambassadors by generating/elevating public
awareness of multiple sclerosis
The goal of the MS HOPE Volunteer Program is to make sure you remain connected to the Society as part of the MS HOPE Volunteer Team. This newsletter is one way for you to stay connected and will inform you of what is going on at the Chapter in both the Cowichan Valley and Victoria offices.
MS HOPE Volunteer Program Philosophy
...Continued on page 2
Inside this Issue:Executive Directorand CCSVI Updates
2
Fundraising Updates
3-4
New Staff andFeature Volunteer - Kyle Thorau
5
Managing Pain and Sleep Issues& New Yoga Classes
6
Current Client Services Volunteer Opportunities
7
Contact Information 8
MS HOPE VOluntEEr nEwSlEttEr
November 2012
MS HOPE Volunteer NewsletterPage 2 MS HOPE Volunteer NewsletterPage 2
September 28, 2012 – Halifax – The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada welcomes the federal government’s announcement that the Phase I/II clinical trial for chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) has received the necessary medical and ethical approvals required to proceed. The national MS clinical trial is a collaborative initiative between the Government of Canada, provinces and territories, and the MS Society.
In September 2010, the MS Society committed funding towards the financial cost of a clinical trial to support a pan-Canadian interventional clinical trial on CCSVI and MS. The clinical trial will be led by Dr. Anthony Traboulsee of the UBC Hospital MS Clinic and his collaborators. Dr. Traboulsee and his team received ethics approvals from institutions in British Columbia and Quebec to study the safety of venous angioplasty and gather information on patient outcomes. Ethics approval is still ongoing in Manitoba.
“We are excited that the clinical trial is underway and that MS is being recognized as a top-priority health issue that is meaningful to Canadians,” says Yves Savoie, president and CEO of the MS Society of Canada. “The research of Dr. Traboulsee and his team will provide significant insights to those living with MS and provide answers to the many questions that exist around CCSVI and MS.”
“When it comes to my health, I have a lot of questions and I want all the information possible – I am hopeful that this clinical trial will help me answer some of the questions my family and I have about CCSVI,” says Theresa Denham who has lived with MS for 22 years.
For more information about the seven CCSVI studies funded by the MS Society of Canada and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society please visit ccsvi.ca. To register, send an email to [email protected].
be known as the South and Central Vancouver Island Chapter (SCVIC). We don’t anticipate any changes to our daily operations as a result of the merger. The CIC will operate fairly autonomously but under our supervision, much in the same way as our Duncan Office operates. You may see some new faces as our Chapters integrate.
The merger will prevent the collapse of the CIC in Central Vancouver Island. It will enable the continuation of MS services to approximately 300 MS clients in this region. The merger is also in the spirit of the Renewal Initiative that will see
appropriate geographic consolidation of chapters across the MS Society of Canada in the next two to three years.
In November we will have a town hall type meeting to provide more detailed information about the merger and answer any questions that our members have. Your Board and staff in Victoria and Duncan are committed to helping and making this merger work.
As always, I am available to answer any questions that our members have, in person or at: [email protected], phone: 250-388-6496 ext 233.
Executive Director’s Update by Todd Abercrombie:Merger of South Vancouver Island and Central Vancouver Island Chapters
Research Update: MS Society Partners with CCSVI Trial
Page 3MS HOPE Volunteer Newsletter Page 3MS HOPE Volunteer Newsletter
Your ImpactDid you know that almost all of the funds needed to provide the local programs and services we have are raised through our yearly fundraising events? As an event volunteer and possibly an event participant, and/or event donor as well you are directly impacting those living with multiple sclerosis. You are a huge part of the success of this Chapter in working towards our mission and we want to thank you for your continued commitment to helping us end MS.
2012 Fundraising Review
This year at the MS WALKs and MS Bike Tour we were moved by everyone’s commitment to our cause. Inspiring speakers shared their stories about how MS has impacted their lives solidifying why we were all there. Ted & Peggy Nelson, Mandy Winter and Kari-Lyn Owen’s words bound us together as a community working towards the same goal and reminded us all why hope for a cure continues to grow and how fundraising together will make it happen...and make it happen we did!
In 2012 through the MS WALK, the MS Awareness/Carnation Campaign, the MS Bike Tour and several community fundraising events together we raised over $793,000. We would like to acknowledge and thank the following community fundraising events for helping to end MS in 2012:
Staff Goodbyes and Hellos
In 2012 the fundraising team said goodbye and good luck to an amazing leader. Tracey Gibson stepped down as the Manager of Fundraising this past July to start her own business in executive coaching. Over Tracey’s eight years with the MS Society she inspired the team to reach new fundraising heights and continue creating amazing event experiences for our participants and volunteers. She was an incredibly supportive and insightful leader who fostered our professional growth by sharing her passion for coaching with us. We wish Tracey all the best with her new business tracey g coaching. I have stepped into the big shoes Tracey left and am thrilled to continue to work with the MS Society. I have worked for the South Vancouver Island Chapter as the Special Events and Volunteer Resources Coordinator for the last five years and look forward to continuing to support those living with MS with the amazing team here in Victoria, in Duncan, and now in Nanaimo.
• A&W Cruisin’ For A Cause • Cherry Bomb Toys Ultimate Hobby & Toy Fair• Cowichan Chef’s Table• Epic MS Cycle• Eternal Hope Scrapbooking Event• HtO Thetis Lake Swim
• Kelsey’s Golf Tournament• MS Kick for the Cure – 10 Hour Soccer Marathon• Rock of Ages – MS Rock for the Cure• UVic End MS Club – Rock to End MS• Vancouver Island Golf Superintendents Association Hockey Game and Gala
Fundraising Update by Ashley Hodgins
MS HOPE Volunteer NewsletterPage 4
The fundraising team would like to welcome Charmaine Niebergall into the Special Events and Volunteer Resources Coordinator position in Victoria. Charmaine has lived and volunteered in Victoria her entire life. She has a background in publishing but realized her passion lies with non-profit fundraising and volunteer management. Charmaine has been engaged at a committee level with large-scale fundraising events to gain experience in this field and looks forward to taking on the challenges of this new role. We would also like to welcome Janice Howson into the role of Special Events Coordinator in Nanaimo. Janice brings several years of experience as the past Director of Development for Big Brothers, Big Sisters in Snohomish County. Janice is thrilled to be back in Canada and is looking forward to building outstanding fundraising opportunities in Nanaimo. Big welcome to Charmaine and Janice.
Thank you again to everyone who played a part in making 2012 another amazing fundraising year. We are one step closer to solving the MS puzzle due to your support.
For more photos from our fundraising events, please visit our flickr site at http://www.flickr.com/photos/mssocietycrc/collections/
Page 5MS HOPE Volunteer Newsletter
I initially began volunteering at the MS Society in the physiotherapy department in the autumn of 2011. I am pursuing a career in physiotherapy and I wanted to get my feet wet, so this has been excellent experiential learning. I started out as a volunteer, and I became enamored with the program and I am now working at the Society as a Rehab Aide in the physiotherapy department.
I greatly enjoy spending time with and getting to know the clients, whether it’s while they are working out (I help them on and off the machines), or when we are simply chatting over coffee.
The MS Centre has given me a greater appreciation for community service, and shows how even just a little help can go a long way, no matter where you decide to volunteer your time. The MS Society provides a myriad of services for clients, ranging from art programs to physiotherapy to fundraising events. Through these activities it has created a tight-knit community that is exceptionally fun to be a part of! I show up every day excited to spend time with the clients because they appreciate the help they receive, and that makes it very rewarding and enjoyable.
BECOME AN MS HOPE LEADERSHIP VOLUNTEERContribute your professional or personal experience, knowledge and abilities to continuing the success of the MS Society’s fundraising special events and be a leader in your community. Leadership Volunteers are vital members of our event organizing committees providing input on the development, planning and execution of each special event. Leadership Volunteers make a commitment to a specific role within the committee pre-, during and post-event, to attend one meeting per month, and to complete additional work related to the committee on your own time as required. To discuss joining an MS Event Committee contact Charmaine at 250-388-6496 x 240 or email Charmaine at [email protected] to discuss the available opportunities.
Feature Volunteer - Kyle Thorau
Kyle Thorau -Physiotherapy Assistant
ext: 230
Agnes Caravati -Adminstration
ext: 0
Charmaine Niebergall - Event/Volunteer
Coordinator ext: 240
Janice Howson -Nanaimo Fundraising
janice.howson@ mssociety.ca
New @ SCVIC: Please join us in welcoming new staff to the team!
MS HOPE Volunteer NewsletterPage 6
Dr. Lauren B. Krupp, author of Living Well With MS: Managing Fatigue, writes that “housands of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) are told by their doctors that the disease doesn’t cause pain. That’s largely because, until relatively recently, pain was an unrecognized symptom associated with the disease. However, it is now clear MS can indeed cause pain. Regardless of the type of pain you experience, pain has a negative impact on your quality of life. Pain is exacerbated by sleep disorders and spasticity. It can lead to increased depression, anxiety and fatigue. For these reasons, pain management in MS requires a comprehensive, interdisciplinary team approach that includes neurology, nursing, rehabilitation and mental health.”
The 2012 MS North American Education Program focuses on pain and sleep management. Pain and sleep issues are quite common in people living with MS. They can affect the ability to manage other symptoms and can create issues with daily living. Sleep and pain go together in this program because the two are so interrelated and both can really get in the way of your life. The MS Society of Canada and National MS Society have pulled together the latest research, opinions from the researchers and treatment options that are available to help manage both pain and sleep issues. The education program includes a DVD and booklet which we will supplement with discussion, sharing, and a question and answer period.
You can expect to learn the types and
cause of pain, how pain effects your emotions, how to communicate with your doctor about pain, treatment options, non-medical interventions, undertreated pain and how researchers are working toward finding effective measures to test and treat this symptom. The program explains how pain is caused by MS and what we can do about it.
The sleep portion of the program focuses on sleep in MS, the role of fatigue, consequences of poor sleep, communicating sleeplessness to your doctor and sleep disorders. It also covers warning signs and symptoms, what a sleep
study is, research into treatment strategies, your treatment options and tips for self-management of sleep issues in MS.
Dr. Krupp goes on to say that “everyone needs quality sleep to maintain good health and feel productive.
Sleep disorders can be an added barrier to quality of life for people with MS, in addition to fatigue, pain, and many other symptoms. Studies suggest that people with MS may be up to three times more likely to experience sleep disturbances than the general population.In addition, they are about twice as likely to experience a reduced quality of sleep. Poor sleep has serious consequences for cognition, fatigue, mood swings, and physical symptoms such as balance, spasticity and pain.”
Because pain and sleep can both have consequences that can impact us on so many levels, it
...Continued on page 6
Managing Pain and Sleep Issues in Multiple Sclerosis
New Yoga classes in Saanich! Every other Thursday, our members can
participate in an adapted yoga program at the Saanich Masonic Hall. This is a fabulous new program and is well
loved by all who are involved. For more information or to volunteer with this
class, please contact Jennifer at x230
NEW! YOGA CLASSES!
Page 7MS HOPE Volunteer Newsletter
VICTORIAArt ProgramIn this role you will assist the Art Group with preparing their painting supplies and materials, help with clean up, and provide support and companionship to our Art Group members. Art Group runs Wednesdays from 10am-12pm or longer. No art experience is necessary.
Weekly Client Support PositionAssist with lunches, snacks, refreshments and provide companionship and assistance where needed. Supplemented by other duties as needed or appropriate. This is an integral position to daily operations at our center and requires an independant, task driven individual or team. Wednesdays 11-2pm or Thursdays 11-2pm.
Country Grocer’s “First Friday Lunch”The First Friday Lunch is held on the first Friday of the month for seven months of the year, at the MS Centre, from 12:00 - 1:30 pm. In this role you will provide assistance where needed to help make this an enjoyable event for our clients.
If you are available to help on a short term basis, all of the above positions need a hand right away. Please contact Katie at 250-388-6496 ext. 222 or [email protected] for more information or to volunteer. An interview and screening will be required.
Season’s Greetings Open-HouseCome spread some holiday cheer by helping out at our annual Season’s Greetings Open-House event held at the Victoria office. Please contact Susan at 250-388-6496 ext. 222 or [email protected] for more information or to volunteer.
DUNCAN Be a Friendly VisitorWe are hoping to find a special person to visit and shoot the breeze with a 40 year-old male living with MS in a care facility. If you or someone you know may be just right for this opportunity, please contact Diane at 250-748-7010 or [email protected] for more information or to volunteer. An interview and screening will be required.
is important to be educated on what you can do to improve these difficult symptoms and what you need to be looking for to know what and how to communicate with your healthcare team. Join Bonny Pashak, BSW, and Katie Ganassin, BA, in Victoria to learn more and participate in this education session. Also keep an eye out in Duncan and Nanaimo for the same session and for tips, tricks and knowledge on managing pain and sleep issues with MS. Participants will go home with a sense of what is what and how to go about seeking help for both issues, plus positive changes you can make right now to sleep well and live well without pain.For more information, session dates and locations, and to borrow the program materials for use at home, please contact the Victoria office at 250-388-6496 or [email protected]
Current Client Services Volunteer OpportunitiesEnhance the experience of members at the South and Central Vancouver
Island Chapter by providing support and more!
MS HOPE Volunteer NewsletterPage 8
Victoria Office 1004 North Park StreetVictoria, BC V8T 1C6
Phone: 250-388-6496 Fax: 250-361-2661
E-mail: charmaine.niebergall
@mssociety.ca
Cowichan Valley Office#203-394 Duncan Street
Duncan, BC V9L 3W4
Phone/Fax: 250-748-7010
E-mail: maryann.branting
@mssociety.ca
Nanaimo OfficeBox # 39046
Nanaimo, BC V9R 7B7
E-mail:
janice.howson @mssociety.ca
www.facebook.com/MSSocietySVIC
www.flickr.com/photos/mssocietycrc
@SVIChapter
www.youtube.com/MSSVIChapter
VISIT US
ONLINE!
www.mssociety.ca/chapters/sv
ic
TO UNSUBSCRIBE:To unsubscribe from this newsletter please call Charmaine at 250-388-6496 ext. 240
or email your name and address with “Unsubscribe” in the subject line to [email protected]
Newsletter Disclaimer: The MS HOPE Volunteer Newsletter is intended to provide news and information
to people living with MS, their families, caregivers, medical professionals and other stakeholders. Information/opinions contained in this newsletter are obtained from
sources believed to be reliable, but their accuracy cannot be guaranteed. The MS Society does not approve, endorse or recommend specific products or services and
respects an individual’s right to make their own health management decisions. However, we can provide information to assist people in their decision process. For
specific, personalized information, please consult your physician or other health care professional.
South and Central Vancouver Island Chapter
