http://www.nationalmssociety.org/articles.asp?SMContentIndex=0&SMContentSet=0
Friday, August 17, 2001
Evansville will be the first city
in Indiana to host a new pilot program sponsored by the National Multiple
Sclerosis Society designed specifically women.
The first Women Against MS Luncheon
targets women because they make up 73 percent of the people in this country
with MS.
“We don’t know what causes MS and
we don’t know what cures it,” said Linda Gann, director of special events
for the MS Society Indiana Chapter. “Our mission at the MS Society is to
end the devastating effects of MS.”
“Until we can do that, we are here
to make the days (of MS patients) a little bit better,” said Mandy O’Brien,
an MS patient and MS Society community development manager for Southern
Indiana and Western Kentucky. She said there are nearly 8,000 people in
the area who suffer from MS.
The disease strikes the central nervous
system of young adults usually between the ages of 20 to 40. Some patients,
however, report symptoms in their teens.
The symptoms range from numbness
and can progress to paralysis and blindness. Advances in medical research
and technology is making it easier to diagnose MS and begin treatment sooner.
“It’s not a cure, but it’s the best
we have now,” Gann said. She said if the MS Society can recruit enough
corporate sponsors to underwrite the luncheon, all of the money raised
at the luncheon will go to research and services for local MS clients.
Women attending the event will also be asked for a donation.
The motivational and educational
program will feature writer Zoe Koplowitz, an MS patient and author of
the book “Winning Spirit: Life Lessons Learned in Last Place.” She has
participated in numerous marathons since being diagnosed with MS over 20
years ago earning her the distinction as the world’s slowest woman marathon
runner.
“Hopefully people will be motivated
to keep attending this event so it will grow,” Gann said.
IF YOU GO
What: 1st Annual Women Against
MS Luncheon
By ELLA JOHNSON, Courier & Press
staff writer
(812) 464-7420 or ejohnson@evansville.net
When: Sept. 27, noon to 1:30
p.m.
Where: Evansville Museum,
411 SE Riverside Drive
For more information: Call
Mandy O’Brien at (812) 547-9858.