FALL 2015 Pacific South Coast Chapter - HAWAII OFFICE
MS Connection Newsletter
AGENTS of change MISSION: ELIMINATE MS
September 26, 2015 Queen Emma Summer Palace
INSIDE 03 THIS ISSUE
CONNECT WITH THE CARE YOU NEED
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upcoming events
meet melissa
unlocking the mystery of memory
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MS connection: FALL 2015
JOIN THE MOVEMENT
start to finish BIKE MS = SUCCESS! MAHALO! Top Fundraisers
MAHALO! Top Teams MAHALO!
115 Miles...2 Days $70,000!
TEAM BIKEWORKS: $19,013 Team Moto: $13,120 Team Navy: $6,860 Kelsies Team : 3,620 Multiple Ferocious: $2,265
MS DINNER AUCTION QUEEN EMMA SUMMER PALACE $250 gift certificate to the Design Center
Connect with us online:
2-night stay at the Waldorf-Astoria’s Grand Wailea Resort!
MShawaii.org
On the Cover: We have a swanky event on Oahu at the Queen Emma Summer Palace.
Casey Francis: $5,000 Denice Murphy: $3,795 Monica Scheel: $3,560 David Kazanowski: $2,000 Daghild Rick: $1,860
2 day luxury driving experience
Saturday, September 26 Queen Emma Summer Palace 5:30pm RSVP today at MSauctionhawaii.org Your mission, should you choose to accept, is to eliminate MS forever at this exclusive event. Indulge yourself in a selection of swank silent auction items while you enjoy gourmet food stations sponsored by Chef Will and Gourmet Events Hawaii, amazing wines from Barefoot, and a private experience at the museum. Suit up as an “Agent of Change” and accept your mission by booking your tickets now! www.MSauctionhawaii.org. Check out a sneak peek at some of our amazing silent auction items!
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nationalmssociety.org | 1-800-344-4867
CONNECT WITH THE CARE YOU NEED EVERY CONNECTION COUNTS
Find the care you need. Get connected!
Managing MS is an ongoing process, beginning with the very first symptoms and continuing throughout life with the disease. We can connect you with highlyskilled professionals knowledgeable about MS. • Connect with MS Specialty Care-doctors, counselors, social workers, physical therapists and more! • Ask an MS Navigator for help to navigate the challenges of MS. Find personalized answers to your unique needs, up-to-date information, referrals and practical resources. • Learn more about research and clinical trials. • Advocate for better health care, research funding and policy initiatives that are important to you.
1-800-FIGHT-MS (344-4867)
National Multiple Sclerosis Society Pacific South Coast Chapter - Hawaii 950 Kamehameha Hwy., Box 822291 Pearl City, HI 96782 808-532-0806 Chapter President: Richard V. Israel Hawaii Director: Candice Schwalbach Editor & Design: Christine Wiley Associate Designer: Sheri Yee © 2015 National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Pacific South Coast Chapter, Hawaii Division
MShawaii.org
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 recommendations or prescriptions. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society recommends that all questions and information be discussed with a personal physician. The Society does not endorse products, services or manufacturers. Such names appear here solely because they are considered valuable information. The Society assumes no liability for the use or contents of any product or service mentioned.
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MS connection: FALL 2015
UPCOMING EVENTS
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT
EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Oahu Windward Talk Story Meeting 3rd Wednesday, 6:00pm - 7:30pm St. John Vianney Parish Community, 920 Keolu Drive, Kailua (Oahu) Parish Office Building
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
TALK STORY GROUPS
Making Treatment & Lifestyle Decisions: Thinking About Benefits & Risks Friday, September 4, 11:30am J. Walter Cameron Center
On summer break. Please contact the Hawaii office for more information: 808-532-0806.
Making Treatment & Lifestyle Decisions: Thinking About Benefits & Risks Wednesday, September 9, 6:00pm Kroc Center
Kauai Talk Story Meeting 1st Wednesday, 5:30 - 7:00pm This group travels to different areas of the island each month.
MS DINNER AUCTION - AGENTS OF CHANGE Saturday, September 26, 5:30pm Queen Emma Summer Palace
november is national caregiver month! We recognize the loving efforts of family caregivers all year long; however, National Family Caregiver Month, designated in November, is a special time to educate and raise awareness around caregiver issues as well as increase support for the vital role they play. Being a family caregiver is an expression of love and support for the person you care for. For more information and for valuable resources available to you, call 1-800-344-4867 and press “1.”
Kauai Caregivers The group meets at 5:30pm based on participant availability and communicates regularly through an email thread. Maui Self-Help Group Meeting 3rd Thursday of the month, 5:30pm Kaunoa Senior Citizens Center 401 Alakapa Pl, Paia, HI 96779 On summer break. Please contact the Hawaii office for more information: 808-532-0806.
Connect with other people affected by MS and share your experiences at MSconnection.org.
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nationalmssociety.org | 1-800-344-4867
community engagement
meet melissa
Melissa Michaels, raised in Detroit, Michigan, moved with her husband to Hawaii in 2012. She spent two years on Oahu before moving to Kona on the Big Island. Melissa, the community engagement specialist, has been with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society since May of 2015. Her first undertaking was the Bike MS Hawaii event on August 1 and 2. Part of her role will be working on bringing MS education programs to the islands, developing Walk MS and Bike MS, and working to establish community partnerships. Melissa received a Bachelor of Science in Mortuary Science in 2006 from Wayne State University. After several years of being a licensed funeral director and embalmer, and with a unique perspective on death and dying, she decided to change her career path to align with preventing disease and premature death and to increase the quality of life for those affected by disease or illness. In 2009, Melissa enrolled in graduate school where she received her Masters of Public Health in 2011 from Walden University. Over the years, Melissa has held several leadership roles and has experience with community engagement and development, program management, event planning, fund raising, and advocacy. She is a member of the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce, the American Public Health Association, and served as the Advocacy Chair for the American
Cancer Society’s Relay for Life in Clawson, Michigan from 20092012. Melissa enjoys hiking and camping and is an avid full and half marathon runner. Being a team member of the MS Society has been a great fit for Melissa. She is very passionate about the cause and mission and hopes to grow the MS programs on the islands and to advocate for the Society. Melissa can be contacted at melissa.michaels@nmss.org or 808-532-0806.
BOOK YOUR TRAVEL TO HELP THE CHAPTER • group and individual travel • competitive fares on most major US airlines • international travel • cruise packages, disney packages, and more!
808-591-4700 or neighbor islands at 800-253-4422
When booking, use: Loyalty Rewards #2451 or “National MS Society - Hawaii”
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MS connection: FALL 2015
RESEARCH
UNLOCKING THE MYSTERY OF MEMORY Memory challenges occur in more than half of people with multiple sclerosis, but the details on how and why have been mysterious. Microscopic connectors, or synapses, are the point of communication between individual nerve cells, and they are critically important for all functions of the nervous system, including memory. Some research has shown that synapses may be lost in some parts of the brain during the course of MS. Now, a study published in May in Annals of Neurology by Drs. Iliana Michailidou, Valeria Ramaglia and colleagues in The Netherlands and Germany, has uncovered evidence that a group of immune system proteins, called “complement,� may play a role in the loss of synapses in the hippocampus, a part of the brain linked to memory. The researchers examined samples of the hippocampus from brain tissue donated by people who had primary-progressive MS or secondary-progressive MS in their lifetimes. Compared to brain tissue donated by people without neurological disease, the investigators observed a decrease in the density of synapses in the hippocampus. Two specific types of
ON THE TRACK TOWARD TARGETED TREATMENTS complement proteins were increased in MS tissue at the site of synapses, compared to the other tissue samples from people of the same age. MS brains were also positive for proteins that indicate biological stress, but showed no signs of the type of complement implicated in some other diseases. The results of the study suggest a role for specific components of complement activity in synaptic loss in the hippocampus in people with MS. In light of the important role the hippocampus plays in memory, this study also suggests that complement activity may contribute to cognitive problems experienced by people with MS. If these results are confirmed and refined through additional research, it is possible that in the future, therapies that target the complement system may be useful for preventing or treating memory problems in people with MS. Visit www.nationalMSsociety.org/cognition to learn more about MS-related memory issues or cognitive challenges. n
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nationalmssociety.org | 1-800-344-4867
SUPPORT FOR YOUR MS IS LOOKING UP The Above MS™ program from Biogen™ is here for you with tips, tools, and inspiration for your multiple sclerosis (MS)—and so much more. There are many benefits to joining the Above MS program. As a member, you’ll get extra help from those who understand MS, including: • One-on-one MS support over the phone • A community of peers • Tips from people living with MS who are also experts in a relevant field, like cooking and exercise • Information about Biogen relapsing MS treatment options • Financial and insurance support, if eligible • 24/7 support from Nurse Educators Please keep in mind that your doctor is always your primary resource when it comes to your MS and your treatment.
Get extra support from the Above MS program. Sign up now at AboveMS.com or call 1-800-456-2255.
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