National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Pacific South Coast Chapter

We serve 45,000 people affected by MS in San Diego, Orange and Imperial Counties, providing education, family programs, emotional support, aquatic exercise, equipment loans and fund $50,000,000 annually in research.

Why do we exist?

Multiple sclerosis interrupts the flow of information between the brain and the body and it stops people from moving. Every hour in the United States, someone is newly diagnosed with MS, an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system. Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted, but advances in research and treatment are moving us closer to a world free of MS. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with more than twice as many women as men being diagnosed with the disease. MS affects more than 400,000 people in the U.S., and 2.5 million worldwide.

MS stops people from moving. The National MS Society exists to make sure it doesn’t. We help each person address the challenges of living with MS. In 2010 alone, through our 50 state network of chapters, we devoted over $136 million to programs that enhanced more than one million lives. To move us closer to a world free of MS, the Society also invested over $50 million to support 440 research projects around the world. We are people who want to do something about MS NOW. Join the movement at nationalmssociety.org.

The mission of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society is to end the devastating effects of MS.

Founded in 1946, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society supports more MS research, offers more services for people with MS, provides more professional education programs, and furthers more MS advocacy efforts than any other MS organization in the world.

We do this through the extensive research we support to find the cause, cure and improved treatments of the disease; the comprehensive services we provide to people with MS and their families; the professional education programs we offer to assist health care providers better serve their MS patients; and through our advocacy efforts on state and federal levels to encourage public policies supportive of the needs of people with multiple sclerosis. This is why we at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society are here.

Our chapter is dedicated to serving 45,500 people affected by MS throughout San Diego, Orange and Imperial Counties. At the current time we are in need of additional funds to help with our respite care program- - in which family caregivers are eligible to receive respite/in-home services that the family may not otherwise be able to afford.   Respite care grants are offered to families in need for up to $300 per month for one year.

What have you accomplished?

In our fiscal year 2010, the Pacific South Coast Chapter provided public education about MS through programs, special fundraising events or media coverage to an estimated 45,000 people. Forty-four-hundred people attended one of our 68 programs, professionally-led support groups or physical wellness classes and even more received our services.

A critical part of our fight to improve the lives of people with MS is our Respite Care Program – short term, temporary care provided to people with MS in order for their families to take a break from the daily routine of caregiving. James and Lee are just one family we were able to help this year:

James, age 66, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1981. James lives with his wife, Lee. Aside from her hours spent at work (she’s the provider for the house), Lee spends every waking moment caring for James and the household. Several years ago, Lee contacted the Chapter for assistance in caring for James. After more than two years on the waiting list, Lee recently began participating in the Respite Care program. Lee and James feel that respite care is an essential part of the overall support they need in order for James to continue to live at home.

2010 Programs Highlights and Successes

- Four issues of MSConnection, our quarterly newsletter, were sent to over 16,000 distinct mail recipients and 22,000 email recipients.

- Our direct assistance programs provided over $210,000 for; educational scholarships, the purchase or modification of adaptive equipment, summer energy assistance and emergency in-home services to allow 700 recipients to remain independent.

- Primary caregivers were relieved by 4,500 hours of free in-home assistance through our Family Respite Care program.

- One-hundred-and-eight people utilized the chapters durable medical equipment loans for items such as canes, walkers, wheelchairs, scooters and more when their insurance did not support these items.

- Transportation assistance was provided to 215 people through vouchers for accessible shuttles, public transportation or rental of accessible vans.

- Six hundred personal visits by 65 Angel Visitation volunteers provided emotional support and companionship to 60 individuals with MS who were isolated.

- MS Clinics at 47 affiliated centers offered specialized multidisciplinary care including diagnosis and second opinions.

- 4300 people with MS and their relatives and friends attended a Chapter-sponsored program last year.  Programs included varying educational programs on topics such as, physical health classes, employment education seminars, programs for newly diagnosed clients, family fun events and many others.

- The Chapter invested over $21,000 in individual counseling services which provided over 700 hours of counseling and professional emotional support to people with MS. 

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