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Southern California & Nevada Chapter

National MS Society Southern California & Nevada Chapter

2 National MS Society Southern California & Nevada Chapter

NationalMultiple SclerosisSocietySouthern California &Nevada Chapter Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that affects the central

nervous system by disrupting the flow of information from the brain to the body. It has no known cause and no known cure. Symptoms vary from person to person, making it hard to diagnose. MS generally strikes in the prime of life—ages 20-50—and women are diagnosed with MS two to three times more often than men.

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Chances are you know someone living with multiple sclerosis.

We are here to help everyone affected by MS.

MS stops people from moving.We exist to make sure it doesn’t.

What is multiple sclerosis?

We are a collective of passionate individuals who want to do something about MS now—to move together toward a world free of multiple sclerosis.

Every year we help more than 19,000 people affected by MS in Southern and Central California and Nevada move their lives forward. We raise funds locally to support the Society’s cutting-edge research and to provide comprehensive programs and support services for people living with MS, their family members, friends, employers, caregivers and health care professionals.

About the Southern California & Nevada Chapter

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I had tears in my eyes when I crossed the finish line at Walk MS this year! The walking poles you gave me allowed me to do the WHOLE three miles! I am going to suggest the walking poles class to my support group and plan to be there myself because I can’t wait to see what else they can teach me about my new walking poles!

Empowering the MS community through educationEDuCAtion

Community Programs, Workshops and Seminars: Meet experts in the field of multiple sclerosis, ask questions, make connections with your peers and empower yourself with knowledge.

Teleconferences: Access new research, treatment options and resources without ever leaving home.

Online Classes and Webinars: Classes and webinars when it’s convenient for you—live or recorded.

Health and Wellness: Wellness and fitness classes to help you develop healthy habits and take greater control of your well-being.

We offer a variety of programs to inform, educate and empower you.

- r.r. Care Management Client and Walk Ms Participant

We‘re committed to empowering you to live a healthy productive life. Our programs inform, support and offer the education you need to live well with MS.

Find local programs and support services to fit your needs: nationalmssociety.org/CalServices

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Available at any stage for any need at any time

ConnECting you to rEsourCEs:

our ExPErts

Our MS Navigators are experts in multiple sclerosis. They have answers, solutions, resources and referrals for people living with MS, their family members, friends, employers, caregivers and health care professionals.

We are here for everyone affected by MS, whatever your situation, no matter how small your question or where you are in life. We are here to support you. Our MS Navigators are available to assist you at any stage with any need at any time.

• Newly diagnosed• Community resources• Secondary and Progressive MS• Treatment options• Current MS research• Health care referrals

• Financial assistance• Local social services• Learning opportunities• Emotional support• Crisis counseling• Advocacy and more!

Answers, solutions, resources and referrals for people living with MS.

MS Navigators are available for personalized assistance through our Information Resource Center Monday – Friday 7AM - 5PM (MST)

Information. Education. Support.Any stage. Any need. Any time.

1-800-FIGHT-MS (344-4867)

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Access to professional staff to help you along the wayrEsourCEs

Care Management: We will work with you to understand where you are now, where you want to be in the future, and how to get there.

Healthcare Professionals: Resources and tools you can use.

• Insurance questions• Social Security Disability applications• Affordable adaptive equipment• Home accessibility• Planning for the future• Employment support• Caregiver respite I called the National MS Society and

spoke with an MS Navigator to get some information about going back to work. They gave me great information about a vocational rehab program. It felt good that I could talk to somebody that could give me the information that I always needed. It guided me in the right direction.

Are you a healthcare professional? Visit the MS Clinical Care Network

nationalMSsociety.org/MSClinicalCare

• Discipline-specific information with hyperlinks to journal citations

• Updates on the latest treatment options• Fellowship and training opportunities with

a calendar of continuing education events• Consultations• Quick access to information and research

for patients- Carlos national Ms society member and volunteer

Financial Assistance: Let us connect you to the resources you need to stay independent, safe and healthy.

• Temporary Home Care• Durable Medical Equipment• Physical or Occupational Therapy Evaluations• Cooling devices and equipment

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Connecting you to the MS communityConnECt

Social Programs: Get connected with your peers, share your connections or just hang out.

Support Groups: Bringing people together to share stories, ideas and inspiration.

MS Connection: An online social network where thousands of people support one another and explore the issues that shape your world. Get connected today at MSconnection.org

stAy ConnECtEDfacebook.com/MSSouthernCal

follow us @MSSouthernCal

youtube.com/MSSoCalChapter

MSconnection.org

Supporting one another and exploring the issues that shape your world.

Visit nationalmssociety.org/cal for more information and to find a social program or support group that’s right for you.

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Pursuing promising researchrEsEArCh

The National MS Society mobilizes people and resources to move research forward by relentlessly pursuing prevention, treatment and a cure. Our goal is simple: stop disease progression, restore function and end MS forever.

Research sponsored by the Society has led to major advances in our understanding and treatment of MS. Since its founding in 1946, the Society has invested more than $761 million to advance MS research and has been at the core of virtually every major breakthrough in treating and understanding the disease.

• Earlier treatment through faster more accurate means to diagnose MS

• The FDA approval of ten disease-modifying therapies• Breakthroughs in identifying which genes are involved in MS

No Opportunity Wasted.The National MS Society supports and funds research activities spanning ALL research stages. Our unique approach drives the pursuit of all promising avenues that can impact those living with multiple sclerosis. We must all be leaders in achieving our $250 million fundraising goal to move MS research further and faster than ever before.

Now is the time to make things happen. Join us.

Accelerating progress to:

There are more potential therapies in development now than at any other time in history.

Generous funding, extensive collaboration and our commitment to research have resulted in immense progress:

NOW. No Opportunity Wasted. Used with permission from NOW, Inc. and in partnership with Phil Keoghan, tireless advocate and MS Champion.

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Raising our collective voice to drive changeADvoCACy

Real people have a real impact on reforming legislation and the policies that affect our lives. Advocacy successes happen when people with MS speak out on issues important to them and progress in public policy is made when citizens and legislators work together to identify needs in their communities and to address them in a positive way.

Become an MS Activist and raise awareness about MS. Share your stories with our public officials and legislators, educating them about how legislation and funding impacts the MS community.

nationalMSsociety.org/CAL

BE An ADvoCAtE1-800-FIGHT-MS

Creating legislative and regulatory changes that benefit people affected by MS.

My work in advocacy is a gift. I feel so empowered to be able to lobby for important issues like better healthcare and more research funding on behalf of all of us living with MS.

- Mary Ann southern California & nevada Chapter Ms Activist

National MS Society Southern California & Nevada Chapter 9

Passionate people moving toward a world free of MSvoluntEEr

• Event support: Bike MS, Walk MS, Challenge Walk MS and MuckFest MS

• Self-Help Group Leaders• Practical support such as household repairs or chores• Peer support online or by phone• Administrative assistance • Internships • Professional opportunities• MS Activists and more!

Volunteers are the key to our accomplishments. Each volunteer plays an important role in the success of our events, programs and services.

Opportunities that meet your schedule, skills and interests.

We offer a wide range of opportunities:

29,OOO hOuRS

=TO THE SOCAL & NEvAdA CHAPTEr

Every year 2,OOO volunteers contribute

16 FULL-TIME EMPLOyEES

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raising critical funds to move lives forwardDonAtEYour financial contributions help fund cutting-edge research, drive change through advocacy, facilitate professional education, and provide programs and services to help people with MS and their families move their lives forward.

Direct your giving to support your passion:

• Make a one-time or recurring gift • Leave a legacy (bequest, annuity, insurance, planned gift)• Participate in our events• Form a team for one of our signature events• Become a corporate sponsor • Give at your workplace• Organize a DIY fundraiser with friends, colleagues, family• Offset expenses with in-kind products and services

Thank you for all of the help you have provided me over the years. I continue to use the Reho cushion for my scooter and hands-free telephone that you provided last year. Someone still comes once a week to help me around the house. I am extremely grateful.

Leveraging your giving to make the greatest impact.

Sign up for one of our signature events or make a contribution at nationalmssociety.org/Cal

- nancy g.

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MuckFest MS: a mucky romp through mud and obstacles in support of a world free of multiple sclerosis. This course features a gauntlet of muck-filled mazes, pits and craters with over twenty gigantic steel obstacles.

Bike MS: a two-day inspirational ride covering 160 miles through rolling hills and captivating scenery. Imagine the sense of accomplishment you feel as you cross the finish line.

Challenge Walk MS: a three-day, 50 mile excursion down the Southern California Coast. Enjoy an all-inclusive weekend filled with fun, laughter, hope and inspiration.

I participate in Walk MS for several reasons. I walk to say thank you to the National MS Society for all its support through my journey. I walk so future generations won’t have to know what Walk MS is because there will be a cure. MS will be a thing of the past. Lastly, I walk because I can. And if the day should ever come that I can’t, then I’ll roll.

Michelle vondran, team steel strong

Mobilizing people who want to do something about MS nowEvEnts

SouthernCalifornia 2013

Walk MS: a remarkable achievement with more than 250,000 walkers in more than 600 cities across the U.S. that raises essential funds for MS research and services.

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Los Angeles Chapter Headquarters5150 W. Goldleaf Circle, Suite 400 Los Angeles, CA 90056

Channel Islands Office1921 State Street, Suite A Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Inland Empire Office3110 East Guasti Road, Suite 320Ontario, CA 91761

Kern County Office1800 30th Street, Suite 105Bakersfield, CA 93301

San Joaquin Valley Office7472 N. Fresno StreetFresno, CA 93720

Northern Nevada Office4600 Kietzke Lane, Suite K-225Reno, NV 89502

Southern Nevada Office2110 E. Flamingo, Suite 214Las Vegas, NV 89119

nationalmssociety.org/Cal

1-800 FIGHT MS (344-4867)

Southern California & Nevada Chapter

S TAy C O N N E C T E d

We have offices across Southern and Central California and Nevada with professional staff who know your community. Get connected today.