mothers

Long-time chapter volunteer, Bev Mills, passed away suddenly on August 15. The office is empty without her. I received this from her son, Troy, who I work with on local advertising (Carlsbad Magazine).

On August 15, 2009 Beverly Mills, mother, grandmother, teacher and friend, passed away. She was born on July 24, 1938. Beverly dedicated her life to her children Lori Mills (Juskie) and Troy Mills and to her four grandchildren Nick and Courtney Juskie and Nathan and Morgan Mills. She was a devoted friend, touched the lives of everyone she met, and was loved by all.
After raising her family, Beverly taught at Jefferson Elementary and then at Aviara Oaks Elementary School in Carlsbad. She retired in 2001 but continued to substitute teach and volunteer at Aviara Oaks. She also volunteered for the National MS Society and read with students at Jefferson Elementary School. She spent her time with her family and friends. She would help anyone and everyone who needed her whether she knew them or not. She loved and accepted people for who they were. She was loving, giving, caring and so much fun to be with. The beach was her favorite place in the world.
The most important things in Bev's life were her family and her friends who will forever feel her hugs, see her smile, and hear her laughter. They will miss her deeply.
The charity closest to her heart was the MS Society. Donations can be made to the National MS Society in memory of Beverly Mills, 5954 La Place Ct. Suite 200, Carlsbad, CA 92008 or at www.mspacific.org.
Her family will hold a private celebration of her life. They invite anyone who knew her to sign the online guestbook at the North County Times: nctimes.com
The family requests that in lieu of flowers you take a walk on the beach, watch a sunset, and hug your mom.

I'm grateful that tomorrow I'm headed to the Midwest to care for my mom. We're having a big wedding reception at the nursing home for my brother (who got married in July) - and it's really all about Mom.

~Beth

research updates

Drug Used for High Blood Pressure Shows Benefits in Treating MS-like Disease in Mice
MS-like Disease in Mice Suppressed by Fusing Two Immune Proteins
NIH Deepens Investment in Combination Study of MS Drugs

Clinical Trials in California
This information has been provided to us by the investigators involved, and although we try to keep it current, it is possible that the trials are no longer enrolling participants. Individuals who are interested in participating in a clinical trial are encouraged to discuss the possibility with their personal physicians.

other ways to follow the chapter

www.facebook.com/mspacific
www.youtube.com/mspacific

Challenge Walk September 11-13: twitter #cwsocal, http://www.mymschallenge.com/, google group

Bike MS: twitter #bikeMSb2b, http://www.biketofinishms.com/, yahoo group

telling Mom I'll walk 50 miles for her

In the wake of my last post...
Months ago, when thinking about whether or not to take the Challenge, I consulted with my mom. Though she can't speak much anymore, she lit up when I talked about walking 50 miles for her. After I registered , I emailed my mom:
Remember me telling you about the three-day, 50-mile walk that our chapter hosts each year in September? I thought and thought and thought about it, and I decided to walk it in your honor. Three days. 50 miles. I can do it! I registered for the event and put a picture of you and I on my fundraising webpage. I have already raised $320 thanks to the generosity of friends and family. I will keep you posted on my progress.Will write more later! I love you and miss you and just wanted to let you know that I'm really going to do it! Love, Beth

I received this note in the mail a week later with a generous check:
Dear Beth, When I read your email to Karin, I felt that she was so proud of you. You should have seen her face. ...I found out that your Mom had money to give. I explained to your Mom how much she could give and we started with a dollar amount. When we reached her goal she said Yes! Yes! and beamed. She is so proud of you. Good luck! Sincerely, Kellie McKay, Life Enrichment Coordinator: Heritage of Emerson (the nursing home where Mom lives)

The Heritage has a HUGE fundraising thermometer posted on Mom's door, and they talk to her all the time about me and the Challenge Walk. What amazing support from the staff! I can't wait to go visit her the last weekend in August with my walkin' shoes on!
~Beth

ask and you shall receive

A post on the Cape Cod Challenge Walk blog I'm following called ask and you shall receive hit so close to my experience that I have to elaborate.

I thought about the Challenge Walk for a LONG time before I started talking about it with anyone. I don't like to fail... and it's a tough year to ask for donations, right? After registering and personalizing my webpage, I carefully crafted my first email plea. Within moments of sending it out I received overwhelming support and donations! Maybe my success was beginner's luck - this is my first year doing the 50-mile Challenge. In the past I've done Walk MS and never raised over $300. I exceeded $300 in my FIRST DAY fundraising for the Challenge! I'll write about my mom and her response in my next post.

So what about the people who have done the Challenge every year for 3 or 4 or even 8+ years before? They've been asking the same folks to support them, year after year. Will a tough economy reduce that support? According to the ask and you shall receive post, "It is overwhelming to see the continued support that friends and family provide each year. I actually had a huge 'a-ha!' moment when I realized that people will reach into their pockets even in these tough times."

I echo: "Friends, family, and strangers continue to support a cause which which they have a personal connection. They will also find a way to support something that makes them feel they are making a difference. I had people tell me that they set aside this money every year in anticipation of getting my email. I had no idea! We are getting down to the last weeks of fundraising. Don't be afraid to ask for support. I think that you will be surprised with people's generosity and their need to be a part of something positive."

Don't be afraid to ask for support. Send reminders! Some of my oldest friends who I never see anymore were the quickest to donate. And some of my closest friends still have not donated after multiple asks in various settings. I just remind myself - and you should too: You're giving others the opportunity to be a part of this amazing movement toward a world free of MS - of which you are at the forefront.

~Beth

walk of a lifetime

Matt Charros and his dog, Onyx, are walking from Maine to California to raise money for MS - his sister was diagnosed in 2001.

Team Enough is having a garage sale this Friday in Tustin for the Challenge Walk.

At our staff meeting this morning I gave a LONG presentation about all the fun things we're doing with facebook and youtube and twitter. Everybody seemed to appreciate the information... I was afraid I'd bore them. A little bit embarrassing that I couldn't show them our facebook page since facebook is having troubles today. Along the same lines, if you have ideas for what we should do with our facebook, send them to me! What do you want to see on all our interfaces? Research? Fundraising? Programs?

~Beth