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Carnations for mom help fight MS |
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Written by BERNICE TRICK
Citizen staff
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Wednesday, 07 May 2008 |
Shirley Byman from the Prince George chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society shows some of the carnations that will be on sale across the city this weekend to raise funds for the society. (Citizen photo by David Mah)
During the Mother's Day weekend, volunteers will be spread across the city to offer carnations to raise funds and awareness of the fight against multiple sclerosis.
"The MS Society's 60 years of service has improved quality of life and greatly advanced our understanding of what it takes to end MS," said Shirley Byman, chair of the Prince George chapter.
"The carnation campaign gives us a chance to get out into the community to not only raise funds for research and families living with MS, but to raise awareness about this often disabling disease."
She added awareness is key component of the campaign, and especially important in Canada where the rate of MS is among the highest in the world.
"We're working on behalf of people with MS because we believe we can end this disease."
Flower sites will be at Pine Centre and Wal-Mart all weekend, and at Canadian Tire, Liquor store and Save On foods in College Heights, liquor store and Save On Foods on the Hart, Parkwood Save On Foods and and Spruceland Save On Foods on Sunday only.
Last year the campaign raised $5,401 to provide much needed services for MS patients in the city and helped fund the national research program. Since the campaign became nationally established in 1976, more than $46 million has been raised.
There are six types of MS, a chronic, often disabling disease of the central nervous system.
Relapsing-remitting is the most common form of MS at the time of diagnosis. It's characterized by defined attacks followed by complete or partial recovery. About 20 to 25 per cent of people with this form have benign MS with few attacks and long periods of remission and little disability after 15 years.
Primary-progressive is less common, but worsens steadily from the onset.
Secondary-progressive develops more progressively within 10 years of diagnosis. Progressive-relapsing, which is relatively rare, takes a steadily worsening course from the onset, but with periodic attacks. Malignant MS, which is rare, has rapid progression within five years of diagnosis.
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FACT BOX
- Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease that attacks and destroys the myelin sheath covering nerves, and causes short-circuiting of messages from the brain to the rest of the body.
- MS can cause loss of balance, impaired speech, extreme fatigue, double vision and paralysis.
- The cause is unknown, and there is no known cure, but research continues.
- Symptoms commonly include numbness, tingling, lack of co-ordination, weakness, loss of balance, difficulty in walking, speech difficulty, visual problems and extreme fatigue.
- The disease, which affects more women than men, can range from mild to severe. It is usually diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 40, but it can affect children as young as two years old.
- Everyday, about three more Canadians are diagnosed with MS.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 07 May 2008 )
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