Lancaster – Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Week is March 11 – 17, and people around the world and locally are celebrating by creating connections that are stronger than those MS destroys.
“MS kills connections and connections kill MS,” explained Christine Grontkowski, Community Development Manager for the National MS Society in the Antelope Valley. “Our hope is that more connections will be formed, leading to more resources for those affected by MS, more understanding, and more answers.”
You can join the movement to end MS by promoting or attending one of the fundraisers being held this week that support services for hundreds of local families:
Wednesday, March 13. Cold Stone Creamery is hosting a fundraiser at the Palmdale and Lancaster locations, donating a portion of sales if “MS” is mentioned at check out. In addition, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at the Lancaster location, a meet and greet will be held to connect you with Walk MS media sponsor High Desert Broadcasting, a few people living with MS, and National MS Society staff.
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday March 15 – 17. Chili’s in Palmdale is holding a giveback weekend, raising funds through the Walk MS: Antelope Valley team “MOMS – Move over MS”. A flyer, which you can obtain by calling 661-321-9512 ext. 66401 or emailing christine.grontkowski@nmss.org, needs to be presented when you pay your bill in order for proceeds to be donated.
Get involved all week long. You can also get involved by wearing orange this week, or by registering a team to participate in the Antelope Valley’s biggest MS fundraising event, Walk MS, taking place Saturday, April 27 at the Lancaster Marketplace. For information on Walk MS, or any of the MS Awareness Week events listed, call 661.321.9512 or visit www.nationalMSsociety.org/cal.
Every connection counts. Share your story and connect with others at www.MSconnection.org. You can learn more about MS, upload your own photo and connection to share with others, download tools to spread MS awareness, or register to participate in Walk MS or Bike MS or another event near you. Whether you volunteer, bike, walk, advocate, educate, or support – every connection you create moves us closer to a world free of MS and shows your commitment to the MS movement.
About Multiple Sclerosis
- Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system.
- Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis. The advancement, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted, but advances in research and treatment are moving us closer toward 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 about 2.1 million worldwide.
- Join the movement at www.nationalMSsociety.org.
(Information via press release from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Southern California Chapter.)
