This will be Pivotal Wellness's first year participating in the Walk MS in Fort Collins but is joining the fund-raising efforts this year to support our front desk manager Erin and her family. Since his first seizure and subsequent diagnosis of MS in the early 1990s the life of Erin's father David Jarrett and his family was never the same. His quality of life is no longer about striving to do more and be at optimal health but in the attempts to slow the deterioration of his ability to participate in what most consider everyday functions. Although his body is failing him, his spirit is still as playful as ever continuing to write poetry as he did in high school, although now through dictation, under the pen-name Piccolo. It is in honor of her father that Erin participates in this fundraiser and we in the Pivotal Wellness family support this effort and would appreciate your support as well.

Team Webpage:

http://main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/pivotalwellness

Ways you can participate in the 2011 MS Walk with Pivotal Wellness under team Piccolo

1. Full Participant: Join team Piccolo, donate, and walk with us on May 7th.

2. Financially Support: Donate to the Pivotal Wellness team Piccolo but do not walk on the 7th.

3. Emotionally Support: Support by coming on May 7th and walking with team Piccolo.

MS Walk Event Details

Date:  Saturday, May 7, 2011
Location:  Edora Park 
Address:  1801 Riverside Ave., Fort Collins, CO 80525 
Registration Opens:  7:30 a.m.
Walk Begins:  9:30 a.m.

Walk Route

Start Line and festivities are located in Edora Park. The Walk is approximately three miles following the beautiful Spring Creek Trail to Orthopaedic and Spine Center of the Rockies and looping back to Edora Park. There will also be a one mile option. Be sure to stop at the rest stops along the way for treats, entertainment, and most importantly, Mission Moments.

Entertainment & Attractions

Breakfast provided by Perkins Restaurant and Starbucks coffee. After the walk, enjoy a custard courtesy of Culver's. KISS FM will play tunes keeping walkers and volunteers moving and energized!

Kid’s Korner - Kids, be sure to stop by the Kid’s Korner to make your mark on MS. A special craft activity and treats will be available.

Pooch's Place - Stop by and get a treat for your dog and compete in the Doggy Duds contest! Has your pup Joined the Movement? Is his/her new favorite color orange? Add a smile to the day and enter your canine companion dressed in his/her most creative costume in the first ever Doggy Duds contest. Winner receives a fabulous prize - more details soon!

Team Village

Participating in Team Village is an amazing way to acknowledge your team's accomplishments and celebrate with your friends, family and co-workers.

Multiple Sclerosis: Just the Facts

What is multiple sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, unpredictable disease of the central nervous system (the brain, optic nerves and spinal cord). It is thought to be an autoimmune disorder. This means the immune system incorrectly attacks the person’s healthy tissue. MS can cause blurred vision, loss of balance, poor coordination, slurred speech, tremors, numbness, extreme fatigue, problems with memory and concentration, paralysis, blindness and more.

Who gets MS?

Anyone may develop MS but there are some patterns. At least two to three times more women than men have been diagnosed with MS. Colorado has one of the highest prevalence rates of MS in the country.

How many people have MS?

Approximately 400,000 Americans have MS, and every hour someone is newly diagnosed. Worldwide, MS affects about 2.1 million people.

What are the typical symptoms of MS?

Symptoms of MS are unpredictable; they can vary from person to person, and from time to time in the same person. For example: One person may experience abnormal fatigue and episodes of numbness and tingling. Another could have loss of balance and muscle coordination making walking difficult. Still another could have slurred speech, tremors, stiffness and bladder problems. Sometimes major symptoms disappear completely, and the person regains lost functions. In severe MS, people have symptoms on a permanent basis including partial or complete paralysis, and difficulties with vision, cognition, speech and elimination.

What causes the symptoms?

MS symptoms result when an immune system attack affects myelin, the protective insulation surrounding nerve fibers of the central nervous system. Myelin is often compared to insulating material around an electrical wire; loss of myelin interferes with the transmission of nerve signals. Myelin is destroyed and replaced by scars of hardened “sclerotic” tissue. Some underlying nerve fibers are permanently severed. The damage appears in multiple places within the central nervous system, giving the disease its name.

National MS Society Facts

The National MS Society is a driving force of MS research and treatment to stop disease progression, restore function and end MS forever. The Society supports and funds a comprehensive research agenda worldwide, drives change through advocacy, facilitates professional education, and collaborates with MS organizations around the world. Through its 50-state network of chapters and the combined efforts of volunteers, donors, researchers and health care professionals, the Society provides significant outreach, education and support to individuals and families who are impacted by the disease.

Where does the Society get its money?

The Society depends on support from members, friends, corporate partners and the public at large. The Society’s total revenue in 2009 was $209 million. This sum is a combination of all revenue including individual gifts; membership dues and contributions; legacies and bequests; special events; corporate contributions and investments. Approximately one percent of the total comes from Federal grants and five percent from pharmaceutical companies in the form of grants and sponsorships.

How does the National MS Society spend its money?

The Society’s nationwide network of chapters is the lifeblood of MS research, providing major support for research programs. No less than half of all the unrestricted income that the chapters share with the national office goes to MS research.

-Approximately 80% of Society income is devoted to research and service programsthat enhance the lives of people with MS and their families, while 20% is invested in support services such as fund-raising and Society management.

-It costs the Society approximately 16 cents to raise a dollar.

-At least sixty cents of every dollar stays in the chapter for local program use.