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MS Society bestows volunteer award on local woman

When Prince George resident, Sandra Stibrany's daughter was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis she immediately looked for answers to understand her condition.
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When Prince George resident, Sandra Stibrany's daughter was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis she immediately looked for answers to understand her condition.

Instead of going through it on her own, she became an active member of the MS community in Northern B.C. as a volunteer and in doing so had the opportunity to help more people with MS than she could have imagined.

Stibrany, who is a member of the MS Society of Canada's B.C. and Yukon Division Northern Regional Chapter Council, played a key role in establishing an MS Walk Committee and MS Self Help Group in Prince George.

Her exceptional leadership skills and hands on approach when it comes to volunteering resulted in the Society's decision to choose Stibrany as the recipient of the B.C. and Yukon Division's 2018 Volunteer Impact in Community Engagement Award.

"I believe in being an active member of my community through the MS Society. I firmly support the mission of the MS Society as we [people affected by MS] need a leader in finding a cure. We need to remember that volunteering helps enhance the quality of life for people living with MS," she said.

Stibrany was among seven people who were recognized for their exceptional volunteer efforts for the organization, on November 3 at the inaugural MS Connect '18 conference in Sheraton Guildford Vancouver Hotel.

"This award has confirmed that I've had a positive impact on the MS community in Prince George and we now have more volunteers who fundraise and help increase the awareness of MS in the community," Stibrany added.

MS is a chronic, often disabling disease of the central nervous system comprising the brain, spinal cord and optic nerve. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 40 and the unpredictable effects of the disease last for the rest of their lives.

Canada has one of the highest rates of multiple sclerosis in the world with 11 Canadians diagnosed with MS every day.

The MS Society provides programs and services for people with the ailment and their families, and funds research to help improve the quality of life for people living with MS.