SPRING 2014 Pacific South Coast Chapter - HAWAII OFFICE
MS Connection Newsletter
JOIN THE FUN OF WALK MS Page 4
INSIDE 03 THIS ISSUE
BIKE MS: GO BIG OR GO HOME!
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GET INVOLVED AS A VOLUNTEER
FOCUS ON HEALTH & WELLNESS
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR UPCOMING EVENTS
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MS connection: WINTER 2013
JOIN THE MOVEMENT
HOW WILL YOU SPREAD MS AWARENESS? MARCH 3-9, 2014 The goal of MS Awareness Week is to increase awareness about the disease and about the programs and services of the National MS Society. During MS Awareness Week our Hawaii team of MS advocates will be meeting with public officials and legislators of the different Hawaiian Islands. During these meetings we will share personal MS stories, discuss community growth, and participate in the signing of the proclamation. Sharing MS personal stories and discussing community growth allows the legislators and our advocates to create connections stronger than those MS destroy. Join us in creating connections: • Maui – Monday, March 3 at 10:00am with Mayor Alan Arakawa • Kauai - Wednesday, March at 1:30pm with Mayor Bernard Carvalho
Connect with us online:
• Hawaii - County - Thursday, March 6 at 10:00 am with Mayor Billy Kenoi
MShawaii.org
If you would like to learn more about our Legislator meetings and/or attend a proclamation signing in your area, please contact:
On the Cover: Friends of Laurie Weber enjoy Walk MS in Kauai
Amanda Kis, Community Development Coordinator Direct: 808-532-0808 Email: amanda.kis@nmss.org
nationalmssociety.org | 1-800-344-4867
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FUNDING THE MISSION
BIKE MS: GO BIG OR GO HOME! The 2014 Bike MS: Go! Big or Go Home ride, in Waikoloa, will take place August 2nd and 3rd, 2014. The ride will cover 115 miles of the scenic West Hawaii coastline. On August 2nd riders head North to the charming town of Hawi and back for a total of 60 miles; on August 3rd riders complete the 115 miles by going South to the Kona Commons Shops and head back to Waikoloa for a celebration party on the beach. All levels of riders are welcome! There are rest stops every 7-10 miles and SAG vehicles ready to pick you up at any point of the ride. Our Presenting Sponsor the Hilton Waikoloa offers special rates for those participating in Bike MS—a special code will be given in the rider packets. Also if you are traveling from out-ofstate, Alaska Airlines will offer a discount towards your ticket price!
National Multiple Sclerosis Society Pacific South Coast Chapter Hawaii Office 418 Kuwili Street, #105 Honolulu, HI 96817 808-532-0806 Chapter President: Richard V. Israel Editor & Design: Jessica Ishikawa Division Manager: Candice Schwalbach Š 2013 National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Pacific South Coast Chapter, Hawaii Division
Bike MS participant, Jon Knight
REGISTER TO RIDE OR VOLUNTEER TODAY! August 2 & 3 bikeMShawaii.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: WINTER 2013
SUPPORTING THE MISSION
ROCK THE WALK!
Laurie (on the left) with Joy Ortiiz-Zimmer
This is Laurie Weber’s, Co-Chair of the Kauai Walk MS: Sunset Stroll, fourth year participating in Walk MS. She is the Captain of the team “Friends of Laurie Weber.” Laurie walks “To raise awareness about MS and to support those living with MS every day.” Her sea of team shirts is a reminder of the increasing support of her and her team and of people living with Multiple Sclerosis on Kauai. Alone Laurie has raised over $5,000 since she first participated in Walk MS and just last year her team of 53 raised over $14,300! Way to go Friends of Laurie Weber! Not only does this team bring in funds but they also contribute to the wonderful prizes that support the Kauai Walk MS Lucky Hand Party and Silent Auction. Joining a team is a symbol of coming together and making connections to support the universal goal of Walk MS that is ending MS forever. To make a team for a Hawaii Walk MS event please visit www.walkmshawaii.org or by calling the office at (808)-532-0806.
CAN’T JOIN US? CONSIDER BEING A VIRTUAL WALKER! From JoAnne Sedlor
“I was diagnosed in 2008, that same year a friend of mine began to walk in Rhode Island on my behalf. It was difficult for me to come to terms with my diagnosis and although I fundraised I didn’t consider doing the walk until my friend relocated to Hawaii. I walked for the first time in 2012, not knowing what to expect and had a blast. We participated in all the fun activities as well as the walk and learned a lot about MS along the way. In 2013 it wasn’t difficult to get more folks on board. Sadly, this year I will not be able to participate but I do still plan to fundraise. So far, we’ve raised over $5,000! If you can or can’t do the walk, the donations are making a difference. I have seen the quality of treatments improve from painful once daily injections with many side effects to once daily pills with little to no side effects. I know that each year we are one step closer to finding a cure.”
SIGN UP TO WALK OR VOLUNTEER TODAY!
Visit walkMShawaii.org or call (808) 562-0806. April 12 - Honolulu • April 19 - Kauai April 24 - Maui • June 7 - Kona
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nationalmssociety.org | 1-800-344-4867
Volunteers make it happen
UPCOMING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Sam’s Club Fishnet Fundraisers & Celebrations
Retirees Volunteer Club
We have openings every weekend through March 30, 2014 and fish netting is fun for all ages. Please help us recruit some volunteers! Let Amanda Kis know if you belong to any organizations seeking volunteer hours including student clubs, military personnel, volunteer clubs, religious organizations, or any other groups that would like to volunteer.
Random Tuesday of the Month As Needed Volunteer slots available for retirees who would like to help with data entry and light office tasks. Available on a first come first serve basis as needed. Two positions are available now through August 2014.
Storefront fish netting includes asking for donations near the entrance and exit of the store as well as handing out free balloons, cupcakes, MS Awareness Ribbons, etc. Children are welcome to volunteer with a parent or guardian.
Summer College Student Internships Available Gain some real-world experience with an internship! You’ll get to work side-by-side with chapter staff to learn what makes a non-profit organization tick! It’s a great resume builder! • Marketing and Public Relations • Health and Wellness
Walk MS & Bike MS All Islands From set up crew to ticket takers, we need your help! Let Amanda Kis know if you belong to any organizations seeking volunteer hours including student clubs, military personnel, volunteer clubs, religious organizations, or any other groups that would like to volunteer. All major events require attending a pre-event volunteer meeting and will take place within a few weeks of each event. Walk MS: Oahu: April 12 Kauai: April 19 Maui: April 26 Big Island (Hilo): June 7
• Fundraising and Development
Bike MS: Big Island (Waikoloa): August 2-3
VOLUNTEER TODAY!
Please contact Amanda for more information on volunteering at amanda.kis@nmss.org or 808-532-0806.
Call us a (808) 562-0806 to get started!
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MS connection: WINTER 2013
LIVING WITH MS
FOCUS ON HEALTH & WELLNESS Please take advantage of discounted health and wellness opportunities on all islands.
MAUI • Haiku: Upcountry Fitness will be providing membership discounts as well as discounted services. To schedule your visit, please contact Lehua at 808-575-2708. • Paia: North Shore Chiropractic and Massage will be offering $10 off on first visit, to schedule your visit please contact Dr. Farrior at 808-579-9134.
KAUAI • Lihue: Hawaii Sports and Balance Center will be offering free fitness and balance assessments, to schedule your visit please contact Meynard at 808632-0033.
HAWAII • Waikoloa: Kohala Spa will be providing 15% off of services for those with an active HI state ID, to schedule your visit please contact the spa at 808-8862828. • Hilo: Mermaid Spa will be offering 15% off aroma touch technique or facials during MS Awareness Week, to schedule your visit please contact Alisha at 808-938-7658.
OAHU • Honolulu: Orthosport (Hawaii Kai) will be offering free fitness assessments as well as free fitness classes now through March 9th, to set up your appointment contact Mike at 808-3731114. • Ewa Beach: Yoga4ewa will be offering a $10 yoga class at 10:00 am on March 3rd. Participants must call 808-6891020 by March 2, 2014 before 8pm to reserve a spot for that class. Appointments must be made during MS Awareness Week (March 3-9) and you need to bring this copy of the MSConnection to your appointment for the offer to be valid.
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nationalmssociety.org | 1-800-344-4867
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT
TALK STORY GROUPS The National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s self-help, otherwise known as Talk Story Meetings are groups for individuals with MS, their families, friends, and other care partners. Members gather regularly for the purposes of sharing common experiences and concerns, providing and receiving emotional support, and obtaining information on living and coping with MS. Oahu Windward Talk Story Meeting 3rd Wednesday, 6:00pm - 7:30pm St. John Vianney Parish Community, 920 Keolu Drive, Kailua (Oahu) Parish Office Building Milton McAngus, Group Facilitator 808-728-0200 Kauai Talk Story Meeting 1st Wednesday, 5:30 - 7:00pm This group travels to different areas of the island each month. Please call Joy for more information at 808 - 635-8065. Joy Ortiz-Zimmer and Laurie Weber, Group Co-Facilitators Kauai Caregivers The group meets based on participant availability and communicates regularly through an email thread. Please contact Amanda Kis at 808-532-0808 for more information.
Maui Self-Help Group Meeting 3rd Thursday of the month Kaunoa Senior Citizens Center 401 Alakapa Pl, Paia, HI 96779 Please contact Ellen for more information at 808-250-4630. Ellen Lundquist and Joyce Macdougall, Co-Facilitators Maui Caregivers Meeting time and location will be finalized March 2014. Please contact Julie Bridle at 808-205-5132 for more information. STAY AT HOME SELF-HELP GROUP Can’t make one of the on-site meetings? This free teleconference allows you to participate in a Self-Help Group Meeting by phone with people from the West Coast of the United States. 3rd Wednesday, 10:00 am Dail 1-888-279-3775, Code: 4001# Mary, Group Facilitator from the Greater Northwest Chapter Talk Story Groups Starting Soon • Oahu Leeward • Hilo Professionally-Led • Honolulu Young Adults • Honolulu Retirees Volunteer & Talk Story Go Online! Please visit MSConnection.org to connect with other people living with MS online!
418 Kuwili Street, #105 Honolulu, HI 96817
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID San Diego, CA Permit # 451
mark your
calendars March 3-9: MS Awareness Week – All Islands 3: Proclamation Signing with Mayor Alan Arakawa 5: Proclamation Signing with Mayor Bernard Carvalho 6: Proclamation Signing with Mayor Billy Kenoi 10-12: Public Policy Conference in Washington DC
April 4: 12: 17: 19: 24:
Maui Symptom Management Honolulu Walk MS at Aloha Stadium Kauai Symptom Management Kauai Walk MS at Kapa’a Beach Park and Bike Path Maui Walk MS at Maui Community College
May 9:
Honolulu Symptom Management
June 6: 7:
Hilo & Kona Symptom Management Hilo Walk MS at Edith Kanakaole Tennis Stadium
August 2-3: Bike MS