Fall 2009 - MSConnection

MOVING TOWARD A WORLD FREE OF MS | 2 0 0 9 • F A L L • V O L 4

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

PACIFIC SOUTH COAST CHAPTER

JOIN ThE MOVEMENT® WIThOuT LEAVING YOuR OFFIcE Every year, over 1.5 million employees support important non-profit organizations nationwide through employee giving campaigns. Participating in a charitable giving program is an easy way to help provide vital services, spark public policy advocacy, and fund cutting-edge research.

If you are a federal government employee, or if your private employer offers a charitable giving campaign, you can help move us closer to a world free of MS by designating a contribution to the Society.

Most charitable giving programs offer employees the opportunity to make an annual pledge with specific amounts automatically deducted from

MOREINFOFor more information regarding Workplace Giving, please contact Karen Barton at 760-448-8412 or [email protected].

Designate a gift to the chapter through Combined Federal Campaign: Our number is 63706

Designate a gift through United Way: Our number is 95549

Breast-feeding & MS PAgE 5

Healthcare Reform PAgE 11

2009 Challenge Walk MS PAgE 12-13

In Memoriam: Dr. van den Noort PAgE 15

each paycheck. Donations can also be made as a one-time contribution by writing a personal check. When you choose the National MS Society your donation comes directly to our chapter.

If your company doesn’t offer an employee giving program, talk to your benefits administrator about starting one and call us for the resources you need.

INSIDELOOKResearch Updates PAGE 4

The Golden Circle PAGE 6

STAFF MEMBER KAREN BARTON: 15-YEAR ANNIVERSARY

2 | JOIN THE MOVEMENT: nationalMSsociety.org

(800) 344-4867

PUBLICATION OF THE NATIONAL MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETy Pacific South Coast Chapter

chapter Offices: 5950 La Place Court, Suite 200 Carlsbad, California 92008

3000-C Airway Avenue, Suite 125 Costa Mesa, California 92626

Vice President, Programs & Services Karen Hooper

Director, Marketing & communications Beth Clark

hELP ThE chAPTER SAVE PRINTING & POSTAGE cOSTS! To receive this publication via email, send an email to [email protected] with “Email me the MSConnection” in the subject line. You’ll save paper (and therefore trees) as well!

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society does not endorse products, services or manufacturers. Such names appear here solely because they are consid-ered valuable information. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society assumes no liability for the use of contents of any product or service mentioned.

Information provided by the Society is based upon professional advice, published, experience and expert opinion. Information provided in response to questions does not constitute therapeutic recom-mendations or prescriptions. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society recommends that all questions and information be discussed with a personal physician.

We mobilize people and resources to drive research for a cure and to address the challenges of everyone affected by MS.

© 2009 National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Pacific South Coast Chapter


After completing her undergraduate degree in psychology and masters degree in education, Karen Barton was hired by the San Diego Area Chapter as a Program Director in 1994.

“Our programming offerings were limited to equipment loan, aqua exercise, newly diagnosed education and a holiday party. The sky was the limit!” Karen quickly made great strides. “I focused on duplicating programs to every service (geographic) area,” Karen says. “It was a real growing experience. It’s such a challenging job serving people with MS who have an ever-changing disease.”

After several years, Karen found herself spending much of her time gaining underwriters for programs and services. It was only natural that in 2002 her responsibilities included development of major gifts. In 2005, Karen assumed her current role as Vice President of Leadership Giving.

“We have a million-dollar goal for the Promise 2010 campaign which includes my pet project: the Nervous System Repair Initiative. We’ve seen five years of collaborative research, and I’m really encouraged that there’s going to be an important discovery made.”

FuNDING ThE MISSION

BIKE MS BAY TO BAY TOuR

TOLL FREE NUMBER 1 800 344 4867 | 3

Twenty-five-hundred cyclists took to the road on October 10 & 11 in the Bay to Bay Tour, riding either 100 or 150 miles from Irvine to Mission Bay over two days, or a 30-mile loop along coastal North County San Diego on Saturday morning. At the time of the event, $2 million had been raised toward the chapter’s $2.2 million goal. Fundraising continues until December 4, 2009, at biketofinishMS.com.

Bay to BayTour 2009sponsored by

Thank you to all who made the event possible! Volunteers, sponsors, cyclists, Champions and more!

ThE BEST IS YET TO cOME... A WORLD FREE OF MS.San Diego’s largest black-tie charity auction, the 23rd Annual Kaiser Permanente MS Dinner Auction is all locked up for November 21, 2009, at Loews Coronado Bay Resort. Reminiscing back to when the Rat-pack ruled Vegas and The Sands

was the place to be, this year’s event evokes a vintage Vegas vibe that is sure to be 18 Karat, all the way! The odds are in your favor for cool deals with hundreds of packages. Don’t cash out early ‘cause the joint will be swingin’ with favorite local band, The Heroes. Ticket prices range from $125 to $400. For more information or to register, visit www.MSdinnerauction.com or call Angela at (760)-448-8434.

IMAGINE ThISA NEW THERAPy

WORkS TO PROTECT BRAIN CELLS FROM

THE DAMAgE CAUSED By MS AND POSSIBLy EVEN REPAIR THEM.

BUT THERE’S NO WAy TO TELL WHEN IT IS

ACTUALLy WORkINg.

RESEARch


MOREINFOSee findings published in Nature Reviews Neurology 5, 256-266

Available free: nature.com/nrneurol/journal/v5/n5/pdf/nrneurol.2009.41.pdf

Nearly 60 scientists discussed the problem at a workshop held last summer in Amsterdam by the National MS Society’s International Advisory Committee on Clinical Trials. Findings were published in Nature Reviews Neurology 5, 256-266, and is available free at nature.com/nrneurol/journal/v5/n5/pdf/ nrneurol.2009.41.pdf.

The scientists assessed emerging and current imaging technologies, rating qualities such as how well results corresponded to clinical symptoms. Some technologies that stood out:

• Magnetic transfer ratio (MTR) measures how much energy is transferred or absorbed by protons in the brain.

• Whole brain volume measurement, which is done with a series of MRIs, has excellent sensitivity to disease changes, researchers noted, but does not distinguish well between types of tissue damage.

The researchers concluded that a combination of these technologies appears to be best to determine if a new therapy is working to protect brain cells. But they also agreed that it is much harder to detect whether a therapy is working to repair brain cells. You may hear about fMRI, an imaging technology that measures the amount of oxygen used by different areas of the brain, as a way to detect repair as scientists conduct more studies.

LIVING WITh MS


BREAST-FEEDING & MSSTUDIES SUggEST BENEFITS FOR MOMS WITH MS

Breast-feeding may benefit women with MS, a recent study suggests. In the study, only 36% of women with MS who breast-fed ex-clusively for at least two months after birth experienced an exacerbation, as compared to 87% who did not breast-feed or who supplemented with formula. While the study was small, the results question the benefit of forgoing breast-feeding in order to resume MS treatment after birth.

The study was published online in the archives of neurology in June 2009. Not breast-feeding reactivates the ovaries, said lead researcher Dr. Annette Langer-Gould, a process that may be the reason MS exacerbations typically increase after birth. The researchers will be conducting a larger study to confirm the findings and possibly identify the immunosuppressive factor in breast-feeding.

SALk INSTITUTE HOSTS BREATHINg & SLEEP SyMPOSIUM Sunday November 1, 2009 12:00-5:00pm

Solutions for people with neuromuscular disorders such as post-polio syndrome, ALS, MS, and muscular dystrophy.

Salk Institute for Biological Studies 10010 North Torrey Pines Road La Jolla, CA 92037 | 858-453-4100

About the Symposium People with neuromuscular conditions often encounter difficulties seeking and obtaining proper respiratory care. Too often, primary care physicians, neurologists, and respiratory care professionals treat their respiratory problems as a lung issue, rather than as a muscle/nerve problem. And too often, sleep labs look only for obstructive sleep apnea and miss underventilation.

Objectives • How motor neuron conditions affect respiratory muscles • How breathing is affected when respiratory muscles are compromised • How breathing and sleep problems differ in post-polio syndrome, ALS, muscular dystrophy and MS • Which tests identify specific breathing and sleep problems • How to remove secretions and prevent pneumonias • What ventilator and what interface is appropriate for YOU • How using the right ventilator in combination with the right interface can significantly impact the quality and length of life.

To register, visit: www.salk.edu/breathingandsleep/

VOLuNTEERS MAKE IT hAPPEN!Arnold Spearman was honored at the Combined Health Agencies 2009 Volunteer of the Year Awards, on September 17, 2009, at the Irwin M. Jacobs Qualcomm Hall. For the past 12 years Arnold has dedicated time for people with MS. Arnold’s enthusiasm is well known at the MS events; he wears his huge multicolored hat and he has become known as the “man in the hat”! Thank you, Arnold.

ThANKYOUA Big THANK YOU to the 2009 Challenge Walk MS Volunteers for all your hard work, September 11-13. The walkers appreciated your enthusiasm and how well you took care of them on their long journey. Many volunteers worked all three days providing all kinds of support including the Blister Busters nursing team at the hotel!

Another big THANK YOU goes out to our 2009 Bike MS Volunteers. Over 1,000 volunteers helped throughout Orange and San Diego counties making this year’s Bike Tour even better supported than the last!


SuPPORTING ThE MISSION

THE MAJOR DONOR PROgRAM OF THE

PACIFIC SOUTH COAST CHAPTER, RECOgNIzINg

ANNUAL gIFTS OF $1,000+.

With your annual gift of $1,000 or more, you will provide leadership in advancing more quickly toward a world free of MS, and become a valued member of the Golden Circle. Your leadership donation and membership will be recognized, with your permission, in the Golden Circle brochure, annual report and other publications to encourage other like-minded advocates to join the movement.

Please join many other caring individuals, corporations and foundations who want to do something more about MS now. Your gift will have immediate impact, and your commitment will enable you to have greater participation in advancing a cure for MS.

For more information and to find out the benefits of Golden Circle Membership, please contact Karen Barton at 760-448-8412 or [email protected].

MOVING TOWARD A WORLD FREE OF MS | PROgRAM HAPPENINgS


MARK YOuR cALENDARS


LET’S TALk… AN AT-HOME TELECONFERENCE SERIES Call 1-800-344-4867 and press “1” to register today for one or more of the below topics. Medicare Part D: The Ins and Outs November 4, 2009 4:00-5:00pm Caring for The Caregiver November, 17, 2009 6:00-7:30pm Stress Management for Mind and Body December 8, 2009 6:00-7:30pm

TURkEy DELIVERy In the spirit of the Thanksgiving holiday, the chapter is providing turkey dinners or grocery gifts cards to registered persons with MS who are either in financial need or have difficulty preparing a holiday meal. Dinners and gift cards are limited. For more information, call 1-800-344-4867 and press ‘1’.

SyCUAN ANNUAL FAMILy HOLIDAy BRUNCH Sunday, December 6 San Diego Time for hot chocolate, a feast full of your brunch favorites, live entertainment, holiday tunes, gifts for the children and much, much more! This celebratory and social gathering will be held at a new location this year, the wonderful San Diego Concourse Golden Hall. All clients and their family members are invited to attend this joyous and festive event. Further details will be included in the invitation to be mailed in November. To RSVP, call 800-344-4867 and press ‘1.’

SALk INSTITUTE HOSTS BREATHINg & SLEEP SyMPOSIUM Sunday November 1, 2009 12:00-5:00pm 10010 N Torrey Pines Road La Jolla, CA 92037 858-453-4100 More information on Page 5.

ANNUAL MEETINg OF MEMBERS Breakfast, Research Updates and Volunteer Recognition Saturday, January 23, 2010 Marriott Laguna Cliffs Dana Point, CA 10:00am-12:30pm Detailed invitation to follow.

ORANGE cOuNTY

Anaheim 1st & 3rd Tuesday 12:30 - 2:30pm Rosa Ferreras 714-758-0829

Anaheim: En Español Familiares y amigos bienvenidos El segundo y cuarto martes de cada mes Anaheim Adventist Church 900 S. Sunkist St, 6 - 7:30pm Rosa Ferreras 714-758-0829 Susana Pérez 714-235-7570

Brea: Family & Friends Welcome 2nd Monday & 4th Friday, 10am - 12pm Kathy Kelby 714-525-0686 Rob Lammers 714-990-2933

Brea As of January 2010 Last Thursday of the month, 10am - 12pm Denise Kish 949-951-1402 or 909-519-4410 Jim Langdon 714-392-0002

Costa Mesa: Man to Man 2nd & 4th Wednesday 1:30 - 3pm Frank Austin 714-925-4100 Mike Milne 949-215-8502

Huntington Beach: Minimal Symptoms / Newly Diagnosed 2nd Wednesday, 10am - 12pm Priscilla Wolz 714-846-6526

Huntington Beach: Working with MS 1st Tuesday, 6:30 - 8:30pm Karen Patterson 714-377-4006 Laurie Cable 714-969-8298

Irvine: Mature Group 2nd & 4th Wednesday 10am - 12pm Betty Brusco 949-481-0143 Jack Santos 949-786-9593

Irvine: Girl Talk 3rd Monday, 11am - 1:30pm Tabitha Evans 714-669-5618

Laguna Hills 1st Tuesday, 10am - 12pm Francince Grasso 949-278-6935 Karen Harlas 949-498-9583

Lake Forest: MS with Christ 3rd Monday, 6:30 - 8:30pm Bill Bisch 949-218-5020 Cathy Varela 949-496-3810

Midway City 1st & 3rd Tuesdays 10am - 12pm Pat Howard 714-968-0277

Mission Viejo: Early-Retired with MS 1st Wednesday 11am - 1:30pm Jude Kosins 949-498-4530 Celine Miller 949-361-0878

Mission Viejo: Minimal Symptoms / Newly Diagnosed 2nd Wednesday, 6:30 - 8pm Jerry Dowd 949-498-5955 Susan Watson 949-493-1299

Newport Beach 3rd Sunday, 2 - 4pm Reverend Sellers 949-764-8358 Norma Mucia 714-641-9171

Newport Beach: Minimal Symptoms / Newly Diagnosed 2nd Tuesday, 11am - 1pm Debra Haynes 949-650-7659 Sherri Brash 714-846-2064

Orange Last Thursday 10:30am - 12:30pm Greg Hertzler 714-993-5988

SELF-hELP GROuPS

MOREINFOIf you would like more information about support groups in your area, call 1-800-344-4867 press 1 or contact a leader listed above.


SELF-hELP GROuPS

SAN DIEGO cOuNTY

Cardiff by the Sea: Women’s Group Library Community Room 2081 Newcastle Avenue 3rd Wednesday, 6 - 7:30pm Charlotte Hayes 858-558-1150

Carlsbad: Christian Group Kaiser Permanente, 2nd Floor Conference Room 6860 Avenida Encinas 4th Thursday, 10am - 12pm Dawn Vallely 760-390-1777 Barbara Murray 760-941-0837

Chula Vista: En Español Llame para más informatión. Fernando Palomino 619-691-7964 Maria Salazar 619-420-5942

Chula Vista St. Marks Lutheran Church 850 Hilltop Dr. 3rd Wednesday, 11am - 1pm Susan Lipp 619-248-0669 Peggy Joiner 619-585-1060

Escondido Joslyn Senior Center, Room 5 210 Park Avenue 3rd Wednesday, 1 - 3pm Beth Bradsher 760-747-9096 Michelle Easterling 760-805-6390

Oceanside Oceanside Library 3861 Mission Avenue 2nd Wednesday, 12 - 2pm Juanita Hamilton 760-754-1911

Poway Weingart Center 13094 Civic Centre Drive 1st Tuesday, 6:30pm Peggy Green 858-748-4009

Ramona 2nd Tuesday, 11am - 12pm Van Reeder 760-789-9129

San Diego (Clairemont/ La Jolla) Denny’s Restaurant 4280 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. 1st Thursday, 9 - 11am Denise Kish 949-951-1402 or 909-519-4410

San Diego: Mens Group Kaiser Education Center San Diego 10990 San Diego Mission Road 1st Tuesday, 6:30pm Bill Homer 858-571-1867

San Diego (Mid-City) Kaiser Education Center San Diego 10990 San Diego Mission Rd 4th Monday, 2 - 4pm Stephanie Russell 619-224-6156


San Marcos Lake San Marcos Resort Gallery Room 1025 La Bonita Dr. 2nd Monday, 12 - 2pm Sandi Kehoe 760-402-4456

Spring Valley New Seasons Church 2300 Bancroft Drive 2nd Saturday, 12:30 - 2pm Kris Hodge 619-933-2601 Debbie Centeno 619-460-4123

AquATIcS

Chula Vista: Outdoor Loma Verde Pool: 1420 Loma Lane Tuesdays & Thursdays 12 - 1pm

El Cajon: Outdoor St. Madeline Sophie’s Center 2119 East Madison Avenue Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays 11:30am - 12:30pm

Fullerton: Indoor North Orange County YMCA 2000 Youth Way Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays 9 - 10am $6 per session

Irvine: Outdoor Waterworks Aquatics 25 Waterworks Way Saturdays, 9 - 10am

San Diego: Outdoor Peninsula Family YMCA 4390 Valeta Street Monday-Friday, 11am - 12pm $5 per session

San Clemente: Outdoor Ole Hanson Public Pool 105 West Avenida Pico Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10:30 - 11:15am $5 per session Amanda 760-448-8404

San Diego: Indoor Wave House Athletic Club 3115 Ocean Front Walk Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, 11am - 12pm

Vista: Indoor Bally’s Fitness Center 1932 Hacienda Drive Tuesdays & Thursdays 11:45am - 12:45pm

YOGA

Costa Mesa Yoga Works 1835 Newport Blvd, #A208 Mondays, 10:30-11:30am

Dana Point Dana Point Community Center 34052 Del Obispo Road Wednesdays, 8 - 9:15am

Fullerton St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church 2311 E. Chapman Avenue Wednesdays, 10:30 - 11:30am

Huntington Beach Yoga Works 301 Main Street Wednesdays, 1 - 2pm

La Jolla Scripps Memorial Hospital 9888 Genesee Avenue Thursdays, 9 - 10am $10 monthly fee Cardiac Rehab 858-626-6493 donovan.lauren@ scrippshealth.org

Santa Ana Goodwill Fitness Center 1601 E. St. Andrew Place Fridays, 9:45-10:45am

San Marcos - Lebed Method Meadow Lark Community Church 1918 Redwing St. Diana Dean-Naú 760-809-9176 $5 per class

OThER

Mission Viejo Balance Rehabilitation 25971 Pala, Suite 110 Tuesdays, 1 - 2pm

Costa Mesa Healthy Balance 1599 Superior Avenue, Suite B Thursdays, 10:45 - 11:45am

San Diego: MS F.I.T.T Sponsored by Bill Howe Plumbing Addie’s Personal Training Studio 4440 Ingraham St. Saturdays, 11:30am - 12pm $5 per session

BALANcE

STRENGTh TRAINING


TOLL FREE NUMBER 1 800 344 4867 | 11

ADVOcAcYcONGRESS MOVES ON hEALTh cARE REFORMIn June Congress introduced two health-care reform proposals, both of which include provisions important to people with MS. The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Commit-tee (HELP), led by Sens. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) and Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.), introduced the “Affordable Health Choices Act,” which prohibits insurers from denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions and includes caps on out-of-pocket spending, support for long-term care and subsidized premiums for low- and middle-class families. The Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Education and Labor Committees also released a draft bill with similar provisions.

Both drafts are expected to be debated in the House and

Senate before Congress recesses this August.

ADD YOUR VOICE As legislators prepare to make this bold move, the Society encourages people living with MS to help influence the healthcare reform debate by sharing the Society’s National Health Care Reform Principles (nationalMSsociety.org/ reformprinciples) with members of Congress and their staff. Join the movement® at nationalMSsociety.org/advocacy.

INSIDELOOKAccessibility 1000 The Fair Housing Council of San Diego and Access to Independence (a2i) have launched a program to increase the supply of accessible housing units within San Diego County. The grant will provide $1000 for home modifications to eligible individuals with disabilities living within the county of San Diego. Qualifying families would be low to moderate income households not exceeding annual household incomes of $58,000 regardless of number in household.

Modifications may include ramps, access to public/common areas, widening doors for wheelchair access, accessible routes into and through covered dwelling areas, access to environmental controls (light switches etc.), installation of grab bars and other bathroom/kitchen access improvement wheelchair access. For more information call Access to Independence at (619) 293-3500.

SAVE ThE DATE April 10, 2010 University of California, Irvine

April 24, 2010 Liberty Station / NTC Park, San Diego

April 25, 2010 LEGOLAND® California, Carlsbad

FuNDING ThE MISSION

2009 chALLENGE WALK MS


T@LK TO uSTHERE ARE MORE WAyS THAN EVER TO TELL US WHAT’S ON yOUR MIND

Twitter users can follow us!Chapter News at twitter.com/MSPSC.Bike MS Bay to Bay Tour at twitter.com/BikeMS. Challenge Walk MS at twitter.com/ChallengeWalkMS.

Become our fan at facebook.com/MSPacific.

Visit our YouTube channel at youtube.com/MSPacific and view chapter videos.

TITLE SPONSOR

StudioPMG, an Irvine-based interactive marketing agency, was named the title sponsor for Challenge Walk MS Southern California 2009. StudioPMG offers

fully integrated marketing solutions, including creative, technical, and promotion with a special focus on the healthcare industry.

Thank you to our other generous sponsors. PRESENTING SPONSORS

GOLD SPONSORS

THANk yOU TO OUR FANASTIC SPONSORS AND AMAzINg TOP FUNDRAISERS!

ELITE FEET OUR TOP FIVE FUNDRAISERS RAISED OVER $55,000! 1. Bill Bisch - $17,396 2. Brian Grey - $13,085 3. Anne Allen - $12,820 4. Linda Milson - $12,592 5. Greg Zolotar - $10,698

gOLDEN LACES THESE FUNDRAISERS PULLED IN OVER $92,000! Heidi Parish - $7,165 Paula Sanchez - $6,835 Leslie Schnaubelt - $6,705 Erin Barone - $6,370 Colleen Brown - $6,310 Patricia Kennedy - $5,820 Kristi Bisch - $5,800 Kathy Milson - $5,580 Jeanne Woodard - $5,530 Chris Serocke - $5,450 Candace Rice - $5,345 Cheryl Edwards - $5,205 Jeannette Flynn - $5,184 Sylvia O’Neill - $5,100 Tiffany Birkett - $5,100 Michael Tacorian - $5,095 Karyn Folbe - $5,085

TOLL FREE NUMBER 1 800 344 4867 | 13

FuNDING ThE MISSIONOVERACHIEVERS THIS gROUP BROUgHT IN OVER $130,000! Amy Thompson - $4,750 Billy Perrin - $4,525 Doris Morgan - $4,500 Keith Padien - $4,452 Weedgie Maloney - $4,385 Javier Morgan - $4,315 Jessica Brody - $4,310 Rachel Martin - $4,300 Thia Parodi - $4,135 Tony Melucci - $4,100 Joyce Mason - $3,920 Marilyn Kaforey - $3,890 Brooks Sharp - $3,890 Abigail Barnes - $3,885 Gretchen Montgomery - $3,820 Ellen Taylor - $3,815 Brenda McDowell - $3,810 Patti Dutton - $3,803 Bobby Ghiselli - $3,795 Dave Taylor - $3,718 Christina Padien - $3,650 Michelle Constantine - $3,600 Melinda Miller - $3,600 Carlyn Shaw - $3,598 Michelle Johnson - $3,580 David Britt - $3,575 Joyce Savage - $3,526 Evelyn James - $3,524 Vicki Roy - $3,523 Kristi Wolfe - $3,517 Matthew Birkett - $3,510 Karen Campbell - $3,509 Robyn Bjorklund - $3,505 Rita Gatto - $3,500

SUPER TEENS OUR UNDER-18 yEAR OLDS MAkE A BIg DIFFERENCE! Justin Wang - $3,223 Stephen West - $2,655

OUR TOP TEAMS ROCkED! COLLECTIVELy, THEy RAISED OVER $411,000!

MISSION POSSIBLE LEVEL ($75,000+)Team Momentum - $83,704 (Chris Serocke)

GOLD LEVEL ($50,000-$74,999)Nor Cal Street Walkers - $65,146 (Colleen Brown)

SILVER LEVEL ($25,000-$49,999)Team ‘XS ENERGY’ 2009 - $33,725 (Russell Bates)

BRONzE LEVEL ($15,000-$24,999)Pardee Homes - $24,116 (Judi Bruner)Walkaholics - $23,453 (Jodi Pearce)optiMiStics - $20,875 (Carlyn Shaw)Kickin’ it with Kenna for a Kure - $20,668 (Kenna Dixson)Walk and Roll - $20,160 (Linda Milson)Reynolds Army - $18,493 (Shashona Reynolds)Kitty Cat Walkers - $18,331 (Teri Cambio)Karin’s Kids $18,148 (Beth Clark)Team Padien - $17,918 (Keith Padien)Aye, Aye Captain - $15,858 (Erin Lohner)Star Striders - $15,610 (Tiffany Birkett)Happy Feet - $15,500 (Heidi Parish)


MONEY MATTERS

STIMuLuS FuND hELPS LAID-OFF EMPLOYEES PAY FOR cOBRA

Anyone who loses group health insurance in a lay-off can elect to extend their coverage for up to 18 months and sometimes longer through COBRA (the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act). The problem is COBRA participants typically pay 102% of the premium, making it hard to afford on unemployment insurance.

Now, people who lose their health insurance when they lose their jobs may be eligible for a COBRA subsidy. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act—better known as the “stimulus package”— offers some relief. Eligible workers laid off between September 1, 2008, and December 31, 2009, may continue their coverage paying only 35% of the premium for up to nine months.

ANYCATCHES?Former employees are ineligible for COBRA if

• The employer went out of business

• The employer terminated group coverage for all workers

• The employee was terminated for misconduct

• The employee left work voluntarily

But employees are eligible if the former employer only closed a branch or division and is still in business elsewhere. This is so even if the company offered the individual a new job in another part of the country that was not accepted. For more information go to www.dol.gov/cobra.

“Contact your former employer right away to determine whether you can opt in,” said Kim Calder, director of Insurance Initiatives for the Society. “COBRA not only provides the same coverage you had while you were working, it can help you get new insurance later on. This can be critical if you have a pre-existing condition like MS.”

NOT INSuRED?The Society has posted helpful information on its web site called resources for the uninsured and underinsured. Learn what to do if there’s an emergency, how to get prescription drug help and explore links to the hundreds of federally funded family health-care centers across the country that provide care even if you have no health insurance. Family health-care centers vary significantly, but can provide services such as check-ups, immunizations, dental care, mental-health services and substance abuse care. Many free family health-care centers are also good resources for how to apply for federally sponsored programs, like Medicaid. Visit nationalmssociety.org/ researchinsurance or call for help from an MS Navigator at 1-800-344-4867.

TOLL FREE NUMBER 1 800 344 4867 | 15

ThE PASSING OF DR. STANLEY VAN DEN NOORT, MS PIONEER

MOREINFOTo make a contribution to the van den Noort Memorial Fund visit: http://tinyurl.com/vandennoort

IN MEMORIAM

Dr. Stanley van den Noort, an internationally acclaimed leader in the field of neuroscience and one of the most distinguished researchers and clinicians in the field of MS, died September 16 at his home in Tustin with his family at his side. He was 79. His death came as a result of complications from a brain injury he suffered over two years ago.

“Dr. van den Noort’s work in neuroscience took MS research to a whole new level,” said Dr. John Richert, Society executive vice president of research and clinical programs. “In his role as chief medical officer of the Society and chair of the Medical Advisory Board (1997-2001), Stan helped to build awareness, understanding and support for speeding us towards a world free of MS. He will be much missed by all who knew him.”

Dr. van den Noort was born in Massachusetts. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1951 and received his medial degree from Harvard Medical School in 1954. He completed his residency training at Boston City Hospital, where he was senior resident to the neurological unit. Dr. van den Noort then served for two years

as an officer in the US Navy.

After 10 years with Case Western Reserve in Cleveland, Dr. van den Noort joined the College of Medicine at the University of California, Irvine in 1970 as professor and chair of neurology. From 1973 through 1985 he served as dean of the UCI College of Medicine, overseeing an unprecedented era of growth. Subsequently he continued as professor and chairman of the Department of Neurology until returning to his clinical practice full time.

“Dr. van den Noort was a truly outstanding clinician and scholar who provided the finest of compassionate care to his many patients,” says Dr. Ralph V. Clayman, dean of the UCI School of Medicine. “His considerable contributions to our medical school and UCI in general will remain with us always.”

Dr. van den Noort married June Byers LeClere in 1954. He is survived by his wife, five children, eight grandchildren and one great grandchild. Donations can be made in his honor to the following: van den Noort MS Clinical Program, Fund No. 3042; van den Noort Neurology Chair’s Research Endowment, Fund No. 7152; National MS Society.

Dr. van den Noort was published extensively in his field, and received an impressive array of honors and distinctions. His most important contributions were to medical education and patient care – he was greatly loved by his patients. “I don’t know how to spend 15 minutes per patient,” said van den Noort in a Dartmouth alumni magazine interview. Chapter client and former Orange County Chapter board chair, Bill Bisch, remembers Dr. van den Noort as “an absolutely wonderful man & clinician who made his patients feel that they were the only thought on his mind when with him.”

TOLL FREE NUMBER 1 800 344 4867 | 15

cALENDAR OF EVENTS

NOVEMBER1 Salk Institute Breathing & Sleep Symposium

4 Medicare Part D Teleconference

17 Caring for the Caregiver Teleconference

21 kaiser Permanente MS Dinner Auction MSdinnerauction.com

DEcEMBER6 Sycuan Annual Holiday Brunch

8 Stress Management Teleconference

NON-PROFITORGANIZATION

U.S. POSTAGEPAID

San Diego, CAPermit # 451

Pacific South Coast Chapter

5950 La Place Court #200Carlsbad, CA 92008

cLASSIFIEDS

North county Accessible Room For Rent

Seeking female roommate. Near CSUSM, Palomar College

& Biola San Diego Campus. Quiet neighborhood.

Community offers clubhouse, jacuzzi, pools and tennis.

Private bath and kitchen privileges.

760-510-1961

Medical Equipment? If you want to donate used

medical equipment or have a need to borrow medical

equipment on a short- or long-term basis, call us today at 714-689-9609 to see how

we can help.

SNEAKPEEKWant to join the chapter for the 2010 MS Family cruise? Go to www.MSpacific.org and click on “MS Family cruise” to register or for more information.

Fall 2009 - MSConnection

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Transcript of Fall 2009 - MSConnection