MOVING TOWARD A WORLD FREE OF MS
May-June 2008
Volume 21 • Issue 3
Minnesota Chapter
Star Tribune TRAM returns to Iron Range
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his summer the Bike MS: Star Tribune The Ride Across Minnesota heads northward, taking cyclists through Minnesota’s historical Iron Range and along the scenic North Shore of Lake Superior. The 19th annual Star Tribune TRAM Ride — a five-day, 250-mile ride set for July 20 to 25 — will make stops in Grand Rapids, Chisholm, Biwabik, Two Harbors and Duluth. The National MS Society, Minnesota Chapter anticipates more than 1,000 cyclists will ride in the event and raise $1 million to help fund cutting edge research projects all around the world and support programs and services for people living with MS right here in Minnesota.
Route details
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Cyclists arrive in Grand Rapids Sunday, July 20, and begin riding Monday along the Mesabi Trail toward Chisholm. Grand Rapids, located on the banks of the Mississippi River, is the birthplace of legendary singer and actress Judy Garland. Grand Rapids was also a 2005 Star Tribune TRAM host city.
News Page 4
The Movement Page 7
Cyclists enjoy the picturesque landscape during last year’s Bike MS: Star Tribune TRAM Ride.
Tuesday, July 22, participants travel through Sturgeon River State Forest and Superior National Forest — the largest federal forest in the contiguous 48 states, which contains more than 2,000 lakes. Cyclists return to Chisholm Tuesday for a second overnight. Wednesday, July 23, Bike MS cyclists ride to Biwabik before heading to Lake Superior continued on Page 14
Corporate Spotlight Page 8
Volunteers Page 11
Can you help us? 612-335-7900 / 800-582-5296 Publication of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Minnesota Chapter 200 12th Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN 55415
Office supplies
Other supplies
n banker boxes
n first aid supplies (call
for details)
Chair Karen Larson
n black permanent
Chapter President Maureen Reeder
n CD jewel cases
n gift baskets for men
Newsletter Editor Emily Wilson
n copy paper (various
n gift certificates/prizes
sizes, colors)
E-mail editor@mssociety.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 National Multiple Sclerosis Society is dedicated to ending the devastating effects of MS. Sponsorship of society programs or events does not connote that the National Multiple Sclerosis Society recognizes superiority in products or services provided by the sponsoring entity over other entities providing like or similar products or services. To obtain an audio tape of MS Connection, call Timothy Holtz at the Minnesota Chapter. Š 2008 National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Minnesota Chapter
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The Minnesota Chapter is always looking for in-kind donations. If you are able to donate any items on the list below, please call the chapter.
JOIN THE MOVEMENT: nationalMSsociety.org
markers
n duct tape n envelopes (various
sizes)
n fishing poles
n kitchen supplies (call
for details) n Rubbermaid
containers
n school supplies
n laundry soap
Equipment
n Metro Mobility tickets
n 5 megapixal or greater
digital cameras
n toiletries (call for
details)
n CDs and DVDs
n sunscreen
n DVD player
n yellow 3M vinyl and
n mallets and hammers
polyethylene tape
n staple guns and staples n RVs for Bike MS events
Studies show that early and ongoing treatment with an FDA-approved therapy can reduce future disease activity and improve quality of life for many people with multiple sclerosis. The National MS Society’s medical advisors recommend that people with MS talk with their health care professionals about using these medications and about effective strategies and treatments to manage symptoms. If you or someone you know has MS, please contact the society at www.nationalmssociety.org or 1-800-582-5296 to learn more.
Letter from the president Researchers need you
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ne of my favorite volunteers often reminds me that people with MS can be more than just Maureen Reeder recipients of MS Society Chapter President services. They can help with the cause, too. So in this column I want to address ways people with MS, and only people with MS, can help the society. Give us your body and your mind…seriously! MS is a disease of great mystery, which may bring little comfort to those living with the disease. But the fate of the MS movement doesn’t just lie in the hands of scientists. People with MS hold the key to critical information about what causes MS, the effects of the disease over time and how MS impacts quality of life.
We need your blood
We need your thoughts People with MS can also help researchers understand the physical and emotional effects of the disease. Researchers at the University of Maryland are seeking participants for an online survey that examines how uncontrolled laughing and crying — a symptom of MS — affects quality of life. A Georgia State University study calls for people with disabilities to participate in another online survey to reveal strategies to help overcome barriers to physical activity.
We need your history The society is recruiting people for the second phase of the Sonya Slifka Study — a long-term study that has already revealed key insights about ways to better manage the disease and advocate for better access to health care for people with MS (see Page 4).
Researchers around the world are collaborating to find the genes that make people susceptible to developing MS. These studies are driven by the participation of people with MS and their family members who donate blood samples from which DNA is derived.
We need your body
We need your brain
As a person with MS, you have the power to unlock these mysteries and move us closer to a world free of MS. We need you to help us end this disease. Think about what you can do.
A study of MS brain specimens recently uncovered hundreds of proteins that may offer clues to future treatment (see Page 12). These findings confirm how important it is that researchers have MS tissues available. The National MS Society supports three MS tissue banks to collect brain and spinal cord samples from people who had MS in their lifetimes, as well as from people without MS.
People living with MS also can help propel the development of new disease therapies by participating in clinical trials, which test the safety and efficacy of new agents or regimens for treating disease.
GET INVOLVED To participate in these studies, visit the Research section of NationalMSsociety.org and click on Researchers Need You in the left-hand column. TOLL FREE NUMBER 800 582 5296
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NEWS BRIEFS
Join a national MS research effort The National MS Society is recruiting 2,500 people for the second phase of the Sonya Slifka Longitudinal Multiple Sclerosis Study — a long-term study of people with MS. Early results have already begun to help us understand the impact of MS, how to manage the disease more effectively and advocate for better access to health care. The study calls for people with MS who are recently diagnosed (since March 2007),
African American, Hispanic, or 18 to 24 years old. Participation involves an initial 45 to 60 minute telephone interview and a 15 to 20 minute interview every six months.
GET INVOLVED To learn more or participate, contact the Sonya Slifka MS Study at 800-305-8013.
MS wristbands back by popular demand
To purchase the new MS wristbands, visit www.mssociety.org or call 800-582-5296.
The National MS Society recently announced the return of MS wristbands, which are silicone bracelets used to help spread awareness about
MS and raise funds to find a cure. The wristbands, formerly red, are now available in the society’s signature orange color and include the society logo, Web site address and tagline “Join the movement.” Wristbands are available for $1 and may be purchased at www.MSsociety.org or by calling 800-582-5296.
Sign the caregiver tax credit petition online The Minnesota Chapter is working to create a tax credit for family members who care for people with disabilities. Family caregivers save the government significant amounts of money by keeping their loved ones at home and out of publicly-funded institutions. In 2006, family caregivers saved the U.S. economy an estimated economic value of $350 billion. The
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JOIN THE MOVEMENT: nationalMSsociety.org
tax credit will provide limited financial compensation (up to $2,400 per year) to family members who care for people with disabilities and/or seniors who are otherwise at risk of entering a skilled nursing facility. To help move the caregiver tax credit forward, sign the petition online. Visit www.MSsociety.org and click on Advocacy.
Two new complementary surveys — conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Acorda Therapeutics, Inc., and the National MS Society — provide groundbreaking data on the impact of loss of mobility on people living with MS, revealing challenges related to quality of life, family relationships,
NEWS BRIEFS
Study shows impact of walking impairment on quality of life, emotional health in people with MS independence, work, financial security and other areas. Findings were gathered from interviews conducted among representative samples of 1,011 people with MS and 317 care partners. To read key findings from this study, visit www.nationalMSsociety.org.
Monster® launches career program for people with MS Monster®, the leading global online careers and recruitment resource; the National MS Society; and Biogen Idec and Elan, recently collaborated to launch MS Workplace, a first-of-its-kind online initiative that provides MS-specific career advice, workplace tips, and job postings targeted toward the MS community. MS Workplace is a free, web-based resource with features
including tips for talking with supervisors and colleagues about MS and answers to frequently asked questions regarding employment and MS. The site also offers a section for employers who have an employee with MS to help them better understand the disease. To learn more, visit www.MSWorkplace.com.
Collaboration in health care could improve MS treatment A report by the National MS Society in partnership with Teva Neuroscience suggests that greater collaboration among health care professionals may lead to more effective MS management and could stem the tide of neurologists leaving the field of MS care. Among the findings, a majority of people with MS would welcome a disease-management program involving other professionals. More than 60 percent of neurologists said administrative barriers make them reluctant
to take on new MS patients, and many said they would welcome an increased role by specialty pharmacies to help provide patient education and support. Some 90 percent of managed care organizations now use specialty pharmacies to distribute disease-modifying drugs. The society will set up meetings with managed care organizations in the coming months to discuss ways to move forward. To read the Multiple Sclerosis Trend Report, visit www.nationalmssociety.org. TOLL FREE NUMBER 800 582 5296
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LIVING WITH MS
Equipment program helps make traveling a reality
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he National MS Society, Minnesota Chapter’s Equipment Loan Pool provides a way for people with multiple sclerosis to borrow various types of medical equipment such as manual or power wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, shower chairs and tub benches. This service can help people decide whether a certain piece of equipment will improve their mobility and increase their independence before making a significant purchase. Since this service is offered by other National MS Society chapters throughout the country, the Equipment Loan Pool also offers people affected by MS an opportunity to borrow medical equipment to use on vacations or other trips. Barb Peterson took advantage of the Equipment Loan Pool when she traveled to New Orleans several years ago. After contacting the Minnesota Chapter, Peterson was connected with staff at the Louisiana Chapter, who arranged for her to obtain a scooter when she arrived.
“They delivered the scooter right to my hotel room,” Peterson said. With the borrowed scooter, Peterson was able to enjoy the sights and sounds of New Orleans with ease.
Barb Peterson
If you are planning to travel in the future and would like to borrow equipment for your trip, contact the Minnesota Chapter to find out whether the chapter nearest to your destination offers an Equipment Loan Pool. Because the availability of equipment can be limited, the chapter recommends you make loan arrangements at least two weeks prior to your trip.
LEARN MORE To learn more about this service, contact Scott Ahlgren at 612-335-7967, 800-582-5296 or sahlgren@mssociety.org.
Learn more about traveling with a disability The Minnesota Chapter’s Lending Library and Web site have resources to help you learn tips for traveling with a disability including: “Barrier-Free Travel,” by Candy Harrington, editor of a leading travel magazine for people with disabilities.
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JOIN THE MOVEMENT: nationalMSsociety.org
MS Society travel opportunities: Learn about 2009 cruise offerings at www.MSsociety.org. Click on Client Programs, Getaways, Camps and Leisure, then MS Society cruises.
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Many activities took place in greater Minnesota as well including a pancake breakfast to raise funds for the Walk MS event in Fergus Falls and an MS Awareness Week kick-off event, To kick off the week, MS activists organized by the came from across Minnesota Mick Auger served as a “walking billboard” MS self-help group March 10 and 11 to the 2008 in Gaviidae Commons in Minneapolis as part of an MS Awareness Week street team. in Alexandria, Capitol Conference. Participants which included met with their legislators to musical entertainment, an MS informational advocate for improvements to accessible booth and a silent auction to raise funds for transit services throughout the state and the Minnesota Chapter. Also, the Tri-County/ a family caregiver tax credit. Perham self-help group organized a street People affected by MS shared their personal team that handed out information to local stories with media outlets throughout the businesses. These are just a few ways people chapter area including the St. Paul Pioneer in greater Minnesota spread awareness and Press, Duluth News Tribune, Rochester Post- raised funds throughout the week. Bulletin, Spring Grove Herald, Park Rapids Enterprise, and radio and television stations MS Awareness Week also received significant national attention. The Empire State Building in the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota. was illuminated Monday in honor of the week Volunteer “street teams” canvassed the and the society’s Join the Movement public Twin Cities metro area, including transit service announcement ran on a 30-by-40-foot hubs, city centers and other high-traffic digital billboard in Times Square. areas, handing out information to people passing by. Also in the metro, Fairview What did you do? MS Achievement Center attendees signed Did you do something to spread awareness bandanas as part of Bike MS Champions, about MS in your community during and team captains for Walk MS and Bike MS MS Awareness Week? E-mail your stories events gathered to network and learn new and/or photos to Jenna Washnieski at ways to maximize their teams’ success. jwashnieski@mssociety.org. ultiple Sclerosis Awareness Week took place nationwide March 10 to 17, and people throughout the Minnesota Chapter area spread awareness about the disease and engaged new people in the MS movement in countless ways.
TOLL FREE NUMBER 800 582 5296
I JOINED THE MOVEMENT
People join the movement chapter wide
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CORPORATE SPOTLIGHT
Sponsors show commitment to community This year Larkin Hoffman — one of Minnesota’s top law firms — celebrates its 50th anniversary since it was founded in 1958. Another milestone for the Minneapolis-based firm, 2008 marks Larkin Hoffman’s second year as title sponsor of the Bike MS: Larkin Hoffman MS 150 Ride. According to Larkin Hoffman President and MS 150 cyclist Peter Coyle, the firm is committed to a guiding principle — to give back to the community. “We believe community involvement is good for both the individual and the firm,” Coyle said. Team Larkin Hoffman brought 45 riders to the event in 2007 and plans to double that number for this year’s ride.
Team Larkin Hoffman showed its creativity during the best team song competition at last year’s Bike MS: Larkin Hoffman MS 150 Ride.
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JOIN THE MOVEMENT: nationalMSsociety.org
Donaldson Company, Inc., joined the Larkin Hoffman MS 150 Ride in 2002, recruiting 13 employees. The team raised $3,000 its first year. In 2008, the Bloomington-based company aims to bring 150 riders to the event and raise $125,000 to help end MS. Donaldson Company also sponsors a rest stop and recruits more than 30 employees to volunteer the weekend of the event. CEO Bill Cook has participated in the ride since 2005. Cook also hosts the CEO Challenge, a Bike MS recruitment event. Pentair, Inc., supports chapter events and programs. For several years, the company has sponsored a rest stop at the Walk MS: Christopher & Banks Twin Cities Walk presented by Anchor Bank. In addition, the Pentair Foundation provides funding to local programs that enrich the communities in which it operates. Pentair Foundation grants have helped to fund the chapter’s Chore Services program as well as Kingsley Commons — the state’s first housing development designed for people with MS. Gregory S. Anderson, a senior financial advisor with Ameriprise Financial Services, returns as a gold level sponsor of the Star Tribune TRAM Ride. Through the company’s Community Connections program, the National MS Society will receive $25 for each person who completes a consultation with Anderson and an additional $75 if that person purchases a financial plan. Sponsored by Gregory Anderson Sr. Financial Advisor
GIVING
Women Against MS luncheon to feature Sue Thomas
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he 2008 Women Against MS benefit luncheon, Aug. 7, will feature keynote speaker Sue Thomas, a nationally recognized speaker and best-selling author of the autobiography “Silent Night.” Though diagnosed with hearing loss at 18 months, Thomas didn’t let it slow her down. She was tenacious in learning to read lips and was later hired by the F.B.I. for her skill. Thomas’s work was dramatized by the PAXTV series “Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye.” After she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at age 51, Thomas became a self-proclaimed “MS warrior” and now speaks at Women Against MS events nationwide. Women Against MS is an annual event hosted by people dedicated to ending MS. The luncheon, sponsored by EMD Serono and Teva Neuroscience, also features an auction to benefit the
Minnesota Chapter Scholarship Program. The success of the luncheon depends on volunteer table hosts and sponsors. Hosts recruit friends and family members to attend “One can only and make a minimum learn lessons by embracing MS. contribution of $75. Table I don’t fight it.” sponsors are individuals and companies who purchase a table for $1,500. For more information, contact Rachel Hughes at 612-335-7965 or rhughes@mssociety.org. Women Against MS will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7, at the Depot in Minneapolis.
MS shouldn’t stand in the way of education “Although MS may make my life more difficult at times, it does not dictate the way I live. It has shown me that some of my goals may be more difficult, but that all of my goals are still attainable.” — Breanna Kochmann, 2007 scholarship recipient, sophomore at St. Cloud State University
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Breanna Kochmann
ultiple sclerosis can cause significant financial strain for families living with the disease, and in turn make college education seem like an unattainable dream for many students. In 2007, 330 students nationwide
received National MS Society scholarships, including 25 in the Minnesota Chapter area. More applications are received every year and the need for scholarship funds continues to grow. The chapter seeks to raise $100,000 to fund scholarships for local students in 2008. To make a gift to the Scholarship Program, contact Shannon Wolkerstorfer at 612-335-7928 or swolkerstorfer@mssociety.org. TOLL FREE NUMBER 800 582 5296
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ADVOCACY
15 years after diagnosis, legislator discloses MS, drives change at the Capitol
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ep. Rod Hamilton works as a pork producer in Mountain Lake, Minn., where he lives with his wife and two children. Hamilton, a Republican, was first elected to the Minnesota Legislature in 2004, but it wasn’t until 2006 when he added a new item to his public biography: He is a person living with multiple sclerosis. After his diagnosis more than 15 years ago, Hamilton told only his immediate family and supervisor at work about his MS. “I was afraid people would see it as a sign of weakness,” he said. Hamilton went for years without disclosing his chronic illness. But during his reelection campaign for the House of Representatives in 2006, Hamilton’s symptoms became more difficult to hide. During a parade, Hamilton had to use a golf cart instead of marching on foot because of fatigue. The next day at a softball game, a parent asked Hamilton’s daughter if her father was feeling O.K. Hamilton’s daughter told the parent he had just been tired. Having taught his children the importance of honesty, Hamilton didn’t like the idea of his children having to lie about his disease. “At that point I knew I needed to come out and tell everyone that I have MS,” he said. Hamilton publicly disclosed his MS at a local debate focused on human services issues.
10 JOIN THE MOVEMENT: nationalMSsociety.org
“I felt so relieved when it was over,” Hamilton said. “I didn’t have to make up excuses anymore.” This March Hamilton spoke to more than 130 people at the Minnesota Chapter’s Capitol Rep. Rod Hamilton Conference, where he emphasized the four guiding principles he follows in his daily life with MS: Listen to your body, listen to your family, listen to you doctor and smile. Hamilton recently introduced a legislative bill to cap co-payments for the MS diseasemodifying drugs at $50 per month for people enrolled in employer-based health insurance plans. The bill is in response to local health plans that have increased co-payments from $25 for a three month supply to $200 for a one month supply. While the proposed legislation may not produce results during this year’s legislative session, Hamilton is committed to advocating on this issue and serving as an activist for all Minnesotans living with MS into the future.
BECOME AN ACTIVIST Be an activist on this issue. Join the Minnesota Action Network at www.MSsociety.org.
“Get out there and volunteer — it’s quite fun, and before you know it, it won’t even feel like you’re volunteering.” –Meredith Proulx
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hen Meredith Proulx was 9, her mother was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. She attended Youth Camp, where she learned about Teen Council — a group of teens who help plan programs for other youth affected by MS.
Proulx now serves as chair of Teen Council, leading the group to reach out to other teens touched by the disease. She also volunteers with Teen Crew at Challenge Walk MS: Twin Cities, walks with Team of the Future at Walk MS: Christopher & Banks Twin Cities Walk presented by Anchor Bank and raises awareness about MS in her school. Proulx says she is motivated because she knows she is helping to move closer to finding a cure for MS and improve the lives
VOLUNTEERS
Teen motivates next generation to join the movement
of others affected by the disease. She also enjoys meeting new people. “Helping others and not expecting anything in return makes me feel proud of myself,” Proulx said. In addition to her work with the Minnesota Chapter, Proulx invests time serving on student council, playing basketball, running track and volunteering for her church, local library and other community organizations.
Meredith Proulx
Proulx is busy indeed but believes that when helping others, you have all the time in the world.
Volunteer opportunities May 10, Bike MS: Allianz Twin Cities Ride One-day bike ride that starts and ends at the Maplewood Community Center. Volunteers needed to help with route support, registration, food and more. June 6-8, Bike MS: Larkin Hoffman MS 150 Ride Two-day ride from Proctor, Minn., to the Twin Cities with an overnight at Grand Casino Hinckley. Volunteers needed at start and finish, rest stops, overnights and more.
June 14-21, Youth Camp Weeklong camp for youth affected by MS. Counselors, especially males, and nurses needed. July 20-25, Bike MS: Star Tribune TRAM Ride Five-day ride through Minnesota’s Iron Range. Volunteers needed at start and finish, rest stops, overnights and more. Aug. 16-22, MS Camp A weeklong program for adults living with MS in Maple Lake, Minn. Volunteer nurses and cabin assistants needed. TOLL FREE NUMBER 800 582 5296 11
RESEARCH
High-tech study may offer clues to future MS treatments Researchers at Stanford University, the University of Connecticut and other institutions report having uncovered hundreds of proteins that may be active at different stages of multiple sclerosis. Researchers conducted high-tech analyses of different types and stages of MS brain lesions. To validate the approach, they narrowed in on two of the proteins and blocked their activity using existing drugs in MS-models, which improved symptoms. The National MS Society and National Institutes of Health funded the study, which appeared in the Feb. 17, 2008, issue of Nature.
One course of rituximab reduced disease activity for 48 weeks Researchers report that one course of the IV drug rituximab (Rituxan®, Genentech and Biogen Idec) reduced disease activity and relapses for 48 weeks in people with relapsing-remitting MS. Rituximab depletes immune B-cells, which may play a role in the immune attack on brain and spinal cord tissues in MS. Dr. Stephen Hauser from the University of California at San Francisco
12 JOIN THE MOVEMENT: nationalMSsociety.org
and colleagues report these results in the Feb. 14, 2008, issue of The New England Journal of Medicine. Biogen Idec and Genentech supported the clinical trial. Two infusions of rituximab were administered two weeks apart to 69 people, and inactive placebo to 35 people. The primary goal of the study was to determine the drug’s effect on “enhancing” brain lesions at weeks 12, 16, 20 and 24. Other goals included the proportion of patients who experienced relapses. The number of active lesions at 24 weeks was reduced by 91 percent in the group taking rituximab versus those on placebo, and significantly fewer people in the treatment group had relapses. More infusion-related reactions occurred in the group taking rituximab. Of the 104 patients, 79 completed 48 weeks. The original results — the reduction in number of active lesions and in the proportion of people having relapses compared with the placebo group — were maintained at 48 weeks. Rituximab treatment showed benefit as early as four weeks. This suggests that the clinical benefit of depleting B-cells may not be, as once believed, to be from curbing their production of immune system antibodies. For decades, immune T-cells have been thought to be the main culprits in MS, and the rituximab study raises the possibility that interactions between B-cells and T-cells may be key to the destructive action of the immune system in MS. There is a need for larger and longer-term studies to confirm the drug’s safety and effectiveness.
RESEARCH
Research pipeline Dr. Claudia Lucchinetti — lead investigator of the National MS Society’s MS Lesion Project at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. — is focused on discovering the cause of tissue damage in MS. Understanding the disease is important to her not only as a researcher and professor, but also as a clinician. In an interview with the Minnesota Chapter, Lucchinetti explains the MS Lesion project, current investigations and what life is like outside the lab.
Q: Tell me about the MS Lesion project. A: Nearly 10 years ago the National MS Society decided analyzing lesions would be a critical step to understanding how MS affects each person differently. They developed an international collaboration of neurologists, radiologists, pathologists and basic scientists to study tissue damage and identify unique patterns of MS. Q: What are MS lesions? A: Lesions are areas of the brain and spinal cord where the myelin and nerve fibers have been destroyed. Q: What were some of the early discoveries of the collaboration? A: In initial work of the project, we noticed distinct patterns of tissue injury in the lesions. Furthermore, all lesions had the same pattern within each person, but lesion patterns differed from person to person. Q: What can these different lesions tell us about the disease? A: Different lesions may be related to differences in the genetics of the patient, or in disease type, and may help us understand why some patients respond to a type of treatment, whereas others do not.
Dr. Claudia Lucchinetti
Q: Explain some of your current investigations. A: Most treatment and research efforts have focused on damage to the brain’s white matter. One thing we are looking at is demyelination on the brain’s surface, or cortex. Damage to the cortex is believed to be an important cause of irreversible disability in MS. We are also studying differences between lesions in early versus more progressed stages of MS. We are beginning to understand more about how the disease behaves over time. Q: What has been the most exciting thing about being part of the MS Lesion Project? A: As a clinician I struggle to understand my patients’ MS each day. The MS lesion project gives me an opportunity to explore fundamental questions about what is causing tissue injury in MS with the hope of ultimately improving therapies for my patients. Q: What do you do when you’re not in the lab? A: I enjoy spending time with my husband and two young kids. I believe it’s important to have balance in work and at home and I’m in a perpetual state of trying to achieve it.
TOLL FREE NUMBER 800 582 5296 13
EVENTS
FROM PAGE 1 Thursday, July 24, for the final overnight in Two Harbors, a 2005 host city of the Star Tribune TRAM. The final leg of the ride takes cyclists along Highway 61 down the scenic North Shore of Lake Superior, crossing the finish line at the University of Minnesota Duluth campus.
Ride with us Register for the Star Tribune TRAM Ride for just $50 before June 30. A $300 minimum pledge is required. To learn more or register, visit www.bikeMS.org or call 800-582-5296.
Ride with Nick Coleman in 2008!
NEWS
Star Tribune columnist Nick Coleman is looking for people to join his Star Tribune TRAM Ride team Coleman’s Cruisers. Visit www.bikeMS.org to register and as a bonus, you’ll save $10 on your registration fee if you enter the secret word “Nick” as the coupon code.
Chapter seeks nominations for Employer of the Year
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ach year the Minnesota Chapter presents the Employer of the Year award at the MS Annual Convention to recognize employers who have gone out of their way to ensure that people with multiple sclerosis are able to stay on the job. These exceptional employers have an employee with multiple sclerosis, support and comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and take one or more actions to increase or enhance the work life of the person with MS.
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The recipient of the Minnesota Chapter’s award will be nominated for a National Multiple Sclerosis Society award. If you know of employers that follow the spirit of the ADA, please consider filling out a nomination at the Minnesota Chapter Web site. For a hard copy nomination form, contact Emily Wilson at 612-335-7931 or ewilson@mssociety.org. The nomination deadline is Friday, July 18.
CALENDAR
June 2
MS and Fitness, St. Cloud
June 6–8
Bike MS: Larkin Hoffman MS 150 Ride
June 15–20
Youth Camp, Finland, MN
June 18
Kingsley Commons Anniversary Party, Minneapolis
June 28
Moving Forward, Brainerd
July 12
Moving Forward, Stillwater
July 20–25
Bike MS: Star Tribune TRAM Ride
Telephone consultations * Telephone consultations are free and by appointment only Family attorney consultations Rod Jensen, attorney at law May 20 and June 17 Employment consultations Jennifer Johnson, tips on interviewing, resumes and more May 21 and June 18
For information or to register Programs Contact registration line: 612-335-7970 Telephone consultations Contact Sarah or Heather: 612-335-7900 Walk MS, Bike MS and motorsport events Contact Cortney: 612-335-7971
Employment discrimination/private disability consultations Denise Tataryn, attorney at law June 5 and July 3 Financial planning consultations John Robinson, C.F.P.®, financial advisor June 9 and July 14
TOLL FREE NUMBER 800 582 5296 15