York East Chapter ‐ MS Society of Canada
Summer 2010
The spokesmaster provides information on services,
activities and people of interest to the members of
the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada – York East
Chapter.
PO Box 64614 • 4721 Highway #7 East • Markham, ON • L3R 0M9
Telephone : 416‐922‐6065 • email : info.yorkeast@mssociety.ca • Fax : 416‐922‐7538
Chair’s Report
Inside this issue:
Since our last newsletter we have successfully wrapped up our
Chairs Report 1
two major fundraising and Ms awareness events; the Walk
and the Carnation campaign. It takes many wonderful volun‐
teers to make these events happen, thank you to all of you
Carnation Campaign 2 who made things happen. The Walk committee, headed by
Alison Foreman from the MS Society, was comprised of Vinnie
Research Update 4
Wong, Lise Amyotte,Victor Chen, Savita Bhimsen, Christeena
Samuel, Jeff Scott, Hilje Armstrong and myself. In addition,
special thanks go to Richard Fujimoto and Rob van Velzen for
Ask the Expert 5 their hard work Walk weekend. The Carnation Campaign was
efficiently Co‐Chaired by Hilje Armstrong and Savita Bhimsen.
MS Walk 6
CCSVI continues to be a topic of much discussion. The MS So‐
Confessions of a Desperate 8 ciety of Canada is calling on the government to provide $10
MSer million for research into chronic cerebrospinal venous insuffi‐
ciency and MS. The request for funding comes as Canadians
MS Resources 9
with MS continue to seek diagnostics and treatment for CCSVI
elsewhere, paying out‐of‐pocket for tests and experimental
Upcoming Events 10 therapies that could be provided in Canada. Regular updates
can be found at www.mssociety.ca .
Thanks and much appreciation go to Shishee Dhillon for her
years of Board service as Volunteer Director. She has done an
amazing job, and has retired from this position to focus on her
career. We wish Shishee all the best.
(continued on next page)
(continued from cover)
Carnation Campaign Results
In early Spring we were joined on the
Board by Ankit Shah and Cassandra Belo. June 2010
Ankit is very interested in developing the
position of Volunteer Director, and Cas‐ The 2010 MS Carnation Campaign has come to a
sandra will focus on the role of Research close and co‐chairs Hilje Armstrong and Savita
Director. Welcome to Ankit and Cassan‐ Bhimsen are happy to report that this year’s
dra. campaign was a success with a net profit of over
$2,000.00!
We are having our June meeting and then
breaking for the summer, but our Client Advanced sales were steady, participation was
Services portfolio, in the capable hands of great at American Express on Friday May 7th and
Jeff Scott, will continue actively serving sales were constant at Markville Mall on Satur‐
our clients. day May 8th.
Have a great summer, Many thanks to Donna Sardone, who has organ‐
ized our event at American Express for 5 years,
Jan van Velzen for promoting and recruiting a group of com‐
pany volunteers to assist us with on‐site sales.
This year, sales at the McNabb Street Head office
and a second location on Micro Court totalled
$1,358.00.
2 The Spokesmaster
our cause. and take down and the sales events them‐
selves. Each job is vital to make the cam‐
Sales at Markville Mall were similar to last
paign a success as we promote awareness of
year at $1,297.00. Every last flower was
Multiple Sclerosis in our community. Con‐
sold without any discounting. Advanced
gratulations to everyone on your hard work
sales and Amex sales were so successful that
and a job well done! Special thanks goes to
our quantity of flowers for Saturday was re‐
former co‐chair Rita Berzins for all of her
duced considerably, but it worked out per‐
guidance in the planning stages of the cam‐
fectly. Despite ordering more potted carna‐
paign.
tions than the year before, they still were
the first to sell out. You can be sure that If you would like to volunteer next year, or
we’ll order even more of them for next year. involve your company with advance sales or
an on‐site event, please contact us via the
Thank you so much to all the volunteers on
Chapter phone number or website.
a variety of tasks including the planning,
sorting, the delivery of orders, the set up
March 1, 2010
www.MSanswers.ca
4 The Spokesmaster
The Spokesmaster
If you are already improving, then usually you
will be coping better with daily activities at
that point. “Good” inflammation helps in
repair of the myelin when the relapse
symptoms are improving, so theoretically,
steroids could be impairing the inflammation
that is trying to repair the lesion, although it
has never been proven.
6 The Spokesmaster
Visit our website at MSsociety.ca for more photos
MS Society—York East Chapter 7
Confessions of a Desperate Mser
Sue Baiden
Twenty five years ago when I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis I couldn't have
imagined I would end up as disabled as I am. I walk with a walker and get around out‐
side on a mobility scooter. I was okay for many years but the last five have been very
troubling. I am happily married and I was lucky enough to have two great daughters (17
and 12).
Recently there has been a very positive development in the treatment of MS, discov‐
ered by a researcher in Italy. He discovered a blockage in the veins of people with MS.
It is called Chronic Cerebral Spinal Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI) and affects about 90
percent of people with MS. This came to my attention on Nov. 14, 2009 through a TV
news show called W5. I watched it 5 times because I just couldn't believe that my mira‐
cle had finally happened. It showed people walking after many years of using canes or
wheelchairs. After a few days of feeling positive and relieved I started to think about
how this news may have received by the MS Society, neurologists, drug companies and
the medical community in general. I imagined a lot of meetings and realized everyone
would have to take a stand on how to proceed.
People in similar situations as myself formed websites and the communications began.
Many people have decided they are not willing to wait for this amazing treatment and
some have gone to other countries where the treatment is available – for a fee. Luckily
a vascular surgeon in Barrie, Ont. took it upon himself to get the training to do the echo
doppler on his MS patients and saw first hand how effective the angioplasty treatment
was when he performed it on six of his patients. He believes that if a patient has block‐
age in any of their veins it should be treated, just like heart patients receive treatment
for blockages. This has been met by much controversy by the medical community and
MS patients have been told to continue with their current medications and to be pa‐
tient. I was patient for six months but now I am running out of patience. I am only one
attack or fall away from ending up in a wheelchair full time and that presents a whole
slew of problems (attendant care, upgrades in mobility equipment, changes to make my
home more accessible).
8 The Spokesmaster
People are reporting a range of changes in their I don't have a lot of fight left in me but
symptoms from very small to miraculous. These with people like Dr Sandy McDonald
are the list of changes; better mobility, less (Barrie Vascular Imaging) out there fight‐
numbness, better or complete bladder control, ing for us I feel like this will happen.
improved swallowing, less or no fatigue, an over‐ I confess I have MS and I am desperate.
all feeling of wellness.
I have not written this article to get sym‐
All this information has actually brought out a pathy but to make help people under‐
lot of emotions that I have suppressed for years. stand what some people with MS are
I have coped with MS by having a positive atti‐ faced with and to explain that we are fac‐
tude, setting goals for myself and always saying I
ing to try and get the new vein therapy
am okay, accepting my mobility losses and try‐
that could change our lives.
ing to move on. Dare I dream about walking
outside again, being able to go places that I
could not access before, stay awake the whole
day, stay up past 10 pm, sit at the table and have
dinner, go to a restaurant and not have to stay
on my scooter, go out without having to think
about where the washrooms are, drive again,
get a job!
I have not forgotten about how this will affect
others; the two teenagers at the MS clinic I go to
who could no longer even speak, those who
have invisible symptoms but suffer as well, those
who are affected financially because of their in‐
ability to work, those parents who have to care
for their children with MS, those patients that
can no longer look after themselves and end up
in a seniors home, people who have to sit by and
watch their loved ones slowly deteriorate.
I also feel very lucky and whenever I feel very Sue Baiden has been a member for many years
down I always hear or see something tragic that and is also the former editor of the York East
makes me feel fortunate and it reminds me to Chapter newsletter .
suck it up and move on.
For the latest
MSsociety.ca/ccsvi
visit CCSVI news
This summer theatre lovers can do more than just catch a great performance
– they can help in the fight to end MS.
The Jersey Boys and Dancap productions have announced that they are part-
nering with the MS Society of Canada to help raise funds for the society.
Theatre goers simply have to purchase tickets giving the special offer “MS
FUND” and $5 will be donated to the MS Society of Canada.
Dancap currently has discounted tickets on sale for the Jersey Boys. The
fundraiser offer will also include any tickets purchased for Miss Saigon
which is on stage in July and South Pacific, which starts in the middle of Au-
gust.
Our chapter will once again be setting up a booth at the Markham Village Music Festival this
year on Saturday June 19th. Come join us for the best in local music, delicious international
foods and ABBA Gold Live (@ 2:30pm on Main St. Markham at Robinson St.)
Hope you all have a most wonderful summer,
The Board of Directors
MS Society of Canada, York East Chapter
The MS Society—York East chapter would like to thank The FSA Group for
their continued support and for publishing The Spokesmaster at no cost
to the chapter, the society or its members.
Disclaimer
The opinions expressed in the articles contained within are those of the authors and do not necessarily
reflect those of The Spokesmaster or of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada. Articles on products or
services are for information only and should not be seen as endorsements. Your submissions are encouraged.
12 The Spokesmaster