Congratulations May 30th Walkers!

Yesterday, the communities of Belleville, Brockville, Kingston, Napanee, North Bay, Sudbury and Thunder Bay made steps matter in the fight to end MS. 1500 walkers joined together to raise a total of $282,000, bringing the Ontario fundraising total to over $6 million!. Be sure to check out our Flickr page for photos from these walks; they’ll be posted soon!

Congratulations and thank you to all the walkers, volunteers, and supporters for your passion and dedication in the fight to end MS. The 2010 MS Walks have been an immense success we can all feel proud of, and it could not have been done without each one of you!

Remember that you can continue to collect donations and submit pledges up to four weeks after your MS Walk. We look forward to seeing you again at next year’s MS Walk!

To view the results in your community, visit us online.

WANTED: Your Favourite MS Walk Pictures!

Thanks again to everyone who made the Ontario MS Walks such a success. Together, we raised over $5.6 million in the fight to end MS. Congratulations!

Now it’s time to share your favorite memories from your MS Walk with friends and fellow walkers. Whether it’s a team pose as you prepared to start, a funny moment as you walked, or celebratory hugs as you crossed the finish line, share them with us on Facebook. If you haven’t already done so, join the MS Walk Facebook Page, select a few of your most memorable pictures, and upload them directly to the Photos section under Fan Photos.

Thanks again for your continued support. We look forward to seeing you again at next year’s MS Walk!

Follow Us on Twitter!

Looking for an additional way to receive instant, concise information about the MS Walk? Join our community of more than 800 followers on Twitter, where we regularly tweet about Walk updates, links to helpful fundraising advice, and upcoming events and opportunities.

You can help us develop a more dynamic Twitter community by posting questions, updates on your own progress, inviting friends to follow, and sharing our news through re-tweeting. Twitter is also a fantastic way to fundraise and excite your family and friends about the MS Walk!

Start tweeting today at http://twitter.com/mswalk.

Fundraisers: Educate Your Donors!

There’s still time to fundraise for the May 30th MS Walks!

One of the most powerful ways to connect with potential donors is to educate them about the cause you support. As you speak to family, friends and coworkers about your participation in the MS Walk, you may encounter several questions about multiple sclerosis, and how their contributions can make a difference. You can strengthen your request for donations by informing them about MS, its symptoms, and how it affects individuals and their families who live with MS. Prepare to educate them by visiting http://www.mssociety.ca/en/information/faq.htm.


Reminder: you can submit pledges up to four weeks after the MS Walk to qualify for prizes. Happy fundraising and good luck!

Only two weeks left until the last Ontario 2010 MS Walks

Belleville, Brockville, Kingston, Napanee, North Bay, Sudbury and Thunder Bay walkers are getting ready to make every step matter in the fight to end MS on May 30th. For event details, visit http://bit.ly/mscomms.

MS Society supporters have raised more than $5.6 million so far this year in Ontario. The funds contribute to MS research and improving the quality of life of those living with the disease.

Have you met your fundraising goal yet? There is still time to fundraise! Check out our list of fundraising tips to help you meet and exceed your goals at http://bit.ly/FundTips.

Visit us again next week for more fundraising tips and updates as we get ready to take our final steps this year for MS. Happy fundraising!

Duet for One Opportunity

A special treat for MS supporters and theatre lovers!

After performances in London’s West End and Broadway, Toronto’s Tarragon Theatre welcomes the production of Duet for One. Based on a true story, Duet for One celebrates the inspiring life of Stephanie Abrams, a beautiful, brilliant and renowned concert violinist who battles multiple sclerosis at the height of her career.

Join the Tarragon Theatre for a special preview performance on May 27th at 8pm, where 50% of box office proceeds will be donated to the MS Society of Canada.

If you prefer to attend another performance, identify yourself as an MS Society supporter when buying tickets and $1 from each ticket purchased will be donated to the MS Society.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity! Share these news with friends and visit http://bit.ly/Duetfor1 for more details as the performance date approaches.

Impromptu MS Walk in Paris

CNN reports an exciting display of support for MS even in challenging and unexpected circumstances.

Missy Sternlic, an American living in Paris, became another frustrated, stranded traveler when she learned her flight back to New York would be cancelled due to the ash cloud from the Icelandic volcano explosion in April.

Her disappointment grew when she realized she would miss the MS Walk in New York that raises awareness and funds for multiple sclerosis research and support in the United States. Having been diagnosed with MS three years ago, Missy felt compelled to contribute to fundraising efforts. She had an idea, and she phoned a friend.

With the support of her family and friends, twenty-four hours later she organized her own “MS Walk in Paris”. “I quickly e-mailed a bunch of my friends [who] I knew were also stranded and got an incredible response and incredible support,” Missy says. “I think people got really excited about being able to do something positive in this crazy time.” About 100 marchers joined Missy’s Walk on April 18th.

Inspired?

You may pledge an MS Walk participant at https://msofs.mssociety.ca/2010walk/lookup.aspx?L=2, or pledge the MS Walk at http://msofs.mssociety.ca/2010WALK/Sponsor.aspx?&PID=1203491&L=2.

You may still register for MS Walks in some communities--- see a schedule of upcoming walks at http://mssociety.ca/ontario/scwalkCommunities.htm#FutureEvents If you’re already registered, find out how to jump-start your fundraising at http://bit.ly/FundTips.

Happy Mother's Day, from the MS Society

The MS Society of Canada would like to wish all mothers a very happy Mother’s Day. Around the world, Mother’s Day recognizes the love and support our mothers show us every day.

Today we salute all mothers who live with multiple sclerosis, facing the symptoms themselves or caring for a loved one in need. In Canada, women are three times as likely to be diagnosed with MS as men, many of them mothers.

In honour of mothers everywhere, and those who walk, fundraise, educate or support the MS Society and their communities, thank you and happy Mother’s Day!

May is MS Awareness Month

During the month of May we will be out on the streets and in your community, increasing understanding and knowledge about multiple sclerosis. Our aim is to engage supporters and inform the public about our efforts to end MS.

In addition to public awareness activities, the MS Society will be holding their annual MS Carnation Campaign. Volunteers will be in your community, selling carnations and raising funds for MS research and services.

Check out the following activities happening during May:



 Fundraising events like the MS Walk and the MS Carnation Campaign are taking place in various cities across Canada.
 On May 5, MS Society volunteers will present carnations to Members of Parliament as they enter the House of Commons with advocacy meetings taking place on both May 5 and 6.
 A special radio program focused on MS and supported by Novartis will air locally and live on the Internet on AM740 on May 8, 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m ET.
 Also on May 8, Mr. Lube will be donating $5 from every oil change to the MS Society.
 A special teleconference will take place on May 27 giving participants the opportunity to ask Dr. Ruth Ann Marrie, director of the Winnipeg MS clinic, questions about MS.
 Downloadable MS awareness posters are available at www.mssociety.ca/en/media-downloads.htm
 World MS Day will be recognized around the world on May 26. To celebrate, host an MS Global Dinner Party. Proceeds support research projects in both Canada and abroad.

Get involved! Contact Clarinda Brandao for more information about supporting our fundraising efforts or volunteering at one of our events.

Teams joined together to end MS

This year over 2,400 teams, consisting of 4 or more participants,* came together in communities across Ontario to participate in the 2010 MS Walk. There is nothing better than showing team spirit and camaraderie during the MS Walk. Many teams this year wore bright coloured t-shirts and fun hats. We even had a team with a mascot!

Walking as a team is a great way to share your stories, celebrate your accomplishments and win great prizes. 2010 was a great fundraising year and we couldn’t have done it without our Teams!

* You must be part of a registered team in order to qualify for the prizes and incentives.

Congratulations Timmins and Sault Ste Marie on Making the 2010 MS Walk a Great Success!

On Sunday May 2nd, around 400 walkers from the Sault Ste Marie and Timmins area came together in support of the 2010 MS Walk. Participants raised a combined total of $56,000, bringing the fundraising total in Ontario to over $5.6 million – and we couldn’t have done it without your steps.

Huge congratulations to all the walkers and volunteers at this year’s event. We hope you enjoyed your event day and feel proud of the contribution you have made to those living with MS. Your dedication has helped make the walks in Sault Ste Marie and Timmins a big success!

Keep up the great work fundraising and participating in the movement to end MS. We look forward to seeing you again at the 2011 MS Walk!