Walk MS Success in Maryland

The Maryland Chapter created picket signs at Walk MS that read I am a MS Activist and created sandwich board signs that read Join the Movement on one side and Sign up today to be a MS Activist on the other side.

The Chapter created sign up sheets so people could become MS activists. Volunteers wore the sandwich board and held picket signs to attract attention to the sign up sheets. They also created tri-fold posters that featured what the Chapter is doing in the areas of programs, services, advocacy, and MS research.

In total, the Maryland Chapter signed up more than 400 new MS activists at Walk MS this year.

Your Senator Could Provide Millions for MS

The U.S. Senate is expected to decide this week on our federal funding request of $15 million for multiple sclerosis research. Click here to remind your Senator to vote for MS research.

This new funding stream through the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) is important for advancing MS research, especially during tough economic times. Last year, MS received targeted funding under this program for the first time, thanks to your MS activism. The U.S. House of Representatives has already voted to include MS research in its Defense Appropriation.

Send a quick email today. This is our last chance. The Senate is expected to vote on the Defense Appropriations bill this week. The CDMRP is a Department of Defense program that is funded annually through Defense Appropriations.

MS Activists Attend Pres Obama Speech

MS activists from Maryland were invited to attend President Obama's speech last week about health care reform at the Unversity of Maryland in College Park.








Watch the White House video here.

Walk MS Success at the Greater Delaware Valley Chapter

The Greater Delaware Valley Chapter signed up 151 new MS activists at three Walk MS sites in New Jersey. Lakshmi Chiabella signed up 67 people alone at the Moorestown Walk MS. She is now interested in becoming a GRC member.

The Chapter sent an email alert to MS activists asking for volunteers to sign up to become Action Alert Walk Volunteers at the different Walk MS sites. The response was wonderful and secured at least two volunteers for each site.

At the events, the NJ Government Relations Committee introduced legislators to individuals with the disease and encouraged them to share their stories to paint a picture for the legislators about living with MS. The GRC wrote personal thank you notes to each legislator who attended.

A Message from the United We Serve Campaign

In April, President Obama signed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act which officially recognizes September 11 as a National Day of Service and Remembrance. This year, the President, 9/11 families, and service organizations will ask all Americans to remember 9/11 and recommit to service in their communities on that day and throughout the year.

Get Involved

• Remember and Serve on 9/11: This September 11, we encourage you to remember the victims and heroes of 9/11 and honor their memory by serving in your community. Visit Serve.gov to find a volunteer opportunity, or organize a project on your own.
  
• Recruit New Volunteers: Spread the word and ask five new volunteers (friends, family, faith group members, colleagues, book club attendees, etc) to pledge to serve with you on 9/11. Use this letter from the President and First Lady to help inspire others to action.
  
• Tell Your Story:
  - Share your 9/11 service story at Serve.gov.
  - Use social media tools to spread the word about service and energize your own network. Become a fan of Serve.gov on Facebook. Follow Serve.gov on Twitter and tweet about how you will remember and serve this 9/11.
  - Visit 911dayofservice.org to pledge what you will do on 9/11.
  

In the News: Rhode Island Resident at President Obama Speech

U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse issued a press release yesterday stating ...

"A Rhode Island resident who lives with multiple sclerosis and has seen firsthand the problems plaguing our current health insurance system will attend President Barack Obama's address to Congress tomorrow evening as the guest of U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).

Christine Ongano, a Coventry resident, will watch President Obama's speech Wednesday from the Visitor's Gallery of the House of Representatives. The President has pledged to make affordable, accessible health insurance a reality for all Americans, and will lay out his principles for reform during the address..." Read more.

MS Principles in President Obama’s Speech Tonight?

Individuals living with multiple sclerosis, volunteers, and advocates helped write our MS principles on health care reform more than a year ago. MS activists have since been working to ensure that any reform package must include solutions that benefit people with MS — such as ending discrimination against pre-existing conditions and limiting out-of-pocket prescription costs.

How many of those MS principles will President Obama mention tonight? Download here (pdf). Then tune in at 8 p.m. EDT tonight.

Texas Legislator Recognized for MS Awareness

Texas MS activists presented state Representative Rick Hardcastle with an award this week. It recognizes his significant contribution to raising awareness for MS and finding solutions to issues that impact Texans living with the disease.

View the video here.

According to the KFDX-TV story, Rep. Hardcastle was diagnosed with MS in 2003 and has strongly supported legislation that has helped people living with the disease and their caregivers ... He says he's honored that he's been able to use his public status to raise awareness for MS.

Walk MS Success in the Gateway Area

The Gateway Area Chapter distributed orange buttons at Walk MS this year that said "I Got Active For MS." If someone signed up to be an MS activist and receive action alerts, they got a button. Once a few people were wearing them, people started talking and asking what they were for. That prompted more people to sign up and find out about it. Check out video from the event: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnVbLehYi1c