MS Strength

A great multiple sclerosis resource has been around since 1970: the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA.) Headquartered in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, the association has various regional offices throughout the United States and its main functions are to inform, empower, and assist MS patients and their families/friends. The following are some of the MSAA’s main services:

Programs and Services:

This is a link to such services as a toll-free telephone helpline, reassurance calls, a lending library, information about support groups, events and classes, an MRI assistance fund, information about barrier-free housing, an equipment (including cooling devices) lending service, and program applications.

News Center:

Access the latest multiple sclerosis information here. Learn more about the MSAA, find out about current research, MS-related organizations, frequently asked questions (FAQ’s), and access the MSAA’s news archive.

MSAA Publications:

The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America has a quarterly, free publication: The Motivator. It also has various, free booklets and brochures that cover such topics as depression, complementary and alternative medicines, wellness tips, cooling devices, the MRI assistance program, and MSAA’s services and programs.

Life Lessons: MSAA’s Life Coaching Blog:

This is a fairly new component to the MSAA’s website. A group therapist and life coach provides life coaching sessions (via telephone) and she writes about helpful tips and tricks to live fully and realistically with multiple sclerosis.

Regional Offices:

Contact an MSAA regional branch near you.

It’s April and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Walk MS fundraising event is in full swing. There are many opportunities for walking participants to raise money and support MS research. You can walk as an individual or as part of a team (both as family/friends or as a corporate group.) There are also many volunteering opportunities available to help make the walk days run smoothly. Access these links for more information:

Find a Walk MS near you: This page helps walkers find local MS walks in their areas. There are regional and zip code breakdowns that make the process easy. There are links to register for walks, sponsor walkers, and also to donate.

Challenge Walk: Find one of the nine national challenge walks, which log 30-50 miles over a 2 to 3 day timeframe.

Send a Walk MS eCard: This page allows a participant to email family, friends, coworkers, and so on about registering to walk, joining teams, sponsoring him or her, and thanking sponsors after a walk.

My Participant Center (visit your chapter website and login): A place to email fundraising materials to sponsors, check fundraising progress, and communicate with other team members.

Team Up for More Fun: Find out how to create a team and be a Walk MS team captain. Tips and tools are included.

Volunteer: This is the route I’ve taken for the past three years. I help set up and man the registration tables, then welcome walkers back for the appreciation barbeque. Learn how you can volunteer at a walking event.