Swim for MS Update – May 2013

Posted on May 15, 2013 by MSAA

Summer is almost here! Start to plan your summer Swim for MS event today!

Looking for some ideas for your summer Swim for MS, consider these options:
1.    Host a summer pool party for Memorial Day weekend!
2.    Set a goal to swim 500 laps throughout the summer to raise $1,000!
3.    Create a pool volleyball tournament with your friends!
4.    Participate in Swim for MS and pledge to swim 100 laps and improve your fitness by the end of summer!

MSAA’s Special Swim for MS May Prize…is a Modify Watch!
Anyone who registers for Swim for MS will be entered to win a Modify Watch! Modify Watches are interchangeable watches allowing an individual to mix-and-match faces and straps to create the “Mod” that best suits you! Browse the Modify Watches blog for more information on their nonprofit collection and how to purchase a “Together” watch.

Please note: participants must register during the month of May 2013 (5/1/2013 through 5/31/2013) in order to be eligible. The winner will be announced via email in the June 2013 edition of the Swim for MS News e-newsletter.

The May 2013 Winner is…
Missy Franklin Autographed Photo:
Congratulations to Laurieann Hart for raising $1,220 through Swim for MS in the month of April!

Four Days Left

Posted on April 26, 2013 by MSAA

As April comes to a close, so does MSAA’s partnership with Modify Watches. In a previous post we announced for the month of April MSAA is the beneficiary of Modify Watches’ “Together” watch.

Modify will be donating $20 to MSAA for EVERY “Together” watch sold during April (even for members of their Mod of the Month Club who are receiving a 20% discount). If you would like to purchase a Together Watch to support MSAA visit Modify’s Non-Profit Collection.

Please share with your friends and family today! Support MSAA today with the Modify “Together” watch!

Swim for MS Updates – April 2013

Posted on April 17, 2013 by MSAA

MSAA is excited to share several updates on Swim for MS.

National Volunteer Week and Global Youth Service Day

Are you looking for a way to get involved with a great cause or receive volunteer hours? National Volunteer Week is April 21-27 and Global Youth Service Day is April 26-28! The theme this year is Celebrating People in Action.

How You Can Get Involved

During National Volunteer Week or Global Youth Service Day, take the pledge to Swim for MS and spread awareness in your community! Here are some ideas:

Pledge to swim 100 laps or jump 250 cannonballs and raise $250.
Pledge to distribute 50 Swim for MS brochures in your community*.
Pledge to ask 10 local stores to post a Swim for MS flyer on their window or on a wall*.
Contact your local community pool and set up a one-day Swim for MS event, such as pool volleyball, a team relay race, or a pool party.

*If you will be distributing flyers or posters, please submit this form. MSAA will contact you within 24 hours.

Pura Vida Bracelets

MSAA has partnered with Pura Vida Bracelets for MS Awareness! For each bracelet purchased, Pura Vida will donate $1 to MSAA. To get your Pura Vida Bracelet, please visit this link.

CaféPress

Swim for MS has a CaféPress site! Here, you can spread awareness by purchasing a Swim for MS hat, backpack, sticker, car magnet, and more! To view our Swim for MS shop, please go to CafePress.com/SwimForMS!

MSAA’s Partnership with Fitter and Faster

The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) is pleased to announce its new partnership with Fitter and Faster Swim Tour to help promote Swim for MS. Fitter and Faster Swim Tour (FFT) organizes and plans professionally managed swim clinics across the United States to teach and inspire swimmers of all ages and skill levels.

Serving as a distribution sponsor for Swim for MS, FFT will promote it partnership with MSAA to all those who attend their 2013 national clinic tour through flyers and onsite announcements, include the Swim for MS name on each participant’s identification wristband and post ongoing updates on Swim for MS activities to Facebook and Twitter.

And the April Winners are…

Missy Franklin Autographed Photo:
Congratulations to Jacob for raising $1,485 through Swim for MS in the month of March!

Disney One-Day Park Hopper Passes:
Congratulations Matt and Hannah for winning two Disney one-day park hopper passes!

Multiple Sclerosis Association of America Teams Up With SwimOutlet.com To Promote Swim For MS

Posted on February 13, 2013 by MSAA

The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) is pleased to announce its new partnership with SwimOutlet.com, the web’s most popular swim shop, to help promote the charity’s national fundraiser, Swim for MS. Serving as the distribution sponsor for Swim for MS, SwimOutlet.com will feature promotional information and ongoing updates on swim events through newsletter articles, targeted email campaigns, and posts on social media including Facebook and Twitter.

Supported by national sponsor Genzyme Corporation, Swim for MS is a unique fundraiser in which volunteers are encouraged to create their own swim challenge while recruiting online donations from supporters. Swim challenges can range from swimming laps for pledges to jumping cannonballs for cash. Swim for MS appeals to swim enthusiasts of all ages, social and community groups, students seeking volunteer service hours, and families enjoying their backyard pool. For more information and to register, visit SwimforMS.org.

“We’re incredibly pleased to support the MSAA by spreading the word of their Swim for MS initiative,” said Rob Penner, VP, Sports Marketing at SwimOutlet.com. “Together with the help of the aquatic community, they can continue to improve the lives of the MS community through their wide-range of services and programs.”

Adding additional awareness and excitement to the fundraiser, MSAA has enlisted the volunteer support of four-time Olympic gold medalist Missy Franklin to serve as the Swim for MS Ambassador. Franklin is featured in a series of flyers, brochures and a new national television public service announcement, encouraging individuals to participate in this exciting fundraiser which supports vital programs and services for the multiple sclerosis community. Starting in March, MSAA will award the top fundraiser of the month with an autographed photo of Missy, providing the minimum amount raised is $500.

“Swim for MS provides an individual or group the opportunity to combine one’s love of swimming with giving back to the community,” states Franklin. “Start your Swim for MS campaign today and make a difference!”

About SwimOutlet.com
SwimOutlet.com is the largest online specialty store for aquatics in the United States. The online retail store grew out of a dedication to providing the best goods and services to anyone interested in aquatic activities and sports. SwimOutlet.com has the largest selection for swimming, water polo, fashion, beach and surf! In addition to having an extensive selection and the lowest prices, SwimOutlet.com offers phenomenal customer service and fast shipping. The company has won the hearts of over two million happy customers who’ve helped spread the word on where to find the best deals. It has quickly developed into the web’s most popular swim shop! For more information, visit http://www.swimoutlet.com.

Ramapo College Swim Team Dives Into Action for the MS Community

Posted on January 31, 2013 by MSAA

Please take a moment to view this video the Ramapo College of New Jersey Swim Team made for their Swim for MS event! If you are in the Mahwah, NJ area on Saturday, February 2 stop by the college to cheer on the team in their final home swim meet of the season at 2 pm!

Swim for MS Update

Posted on January 25, 2013 by MSAA

Don’t miss your chance to be a part of the action!

Dive into Swim for MS today!

MSAA is pleased to announce a new prize for participants in the Swim for MS program: beginning in March, the top fundraiser for the previous month will receive an autographed photo of Missy Franklin! (Our first monthly prize will be awarded in March to the participant who has the highest Swim for MS fundraising total for the month of February.)

Missy Franklin MSAA Swim for MS Ambassador

Sign up today to begin your Swim for MS and your chance to win an autographed photo of Four-time Olympic gold medalist and MSAA Swim for MS Ambassador Missy Franklin!

About Swim for MS

Swim for MS is a national fundraiser in which volunteers are encouraged to create their own swim challenge while recruiting online donations to support MSAA and the MS community. You can participate individually or recruit other swim enthusiasts to form a team.

Participation as easy as 1-2-3!

Create your swim activity
Set your challenge goal
Recruit online donations

To register, please go to SwimForMS.org. After you complete your registration, select “Access your Participant Center Now” to create your online fundraising page! To inspire you, please check out our Swim for MS Profiles for examples of how to create your Swim for MS challenge

New Swim for MS Website Launches!

Posted on November 12, 2012 by MSAA

It’s Finally Here!

MSAA has launced our brand-new Swim for MS website! Check it out by visiting SwimForMS.org!

If you haven’t heard, Swim for MS is a national fundraiser in which volunteers are encouraged to create their own swim challenge while recruiting online donations to support MSAA and the MS community. You can participate individually or recruit other swim enthusiasts to form a team.

It’s as easy as 1-2-3!

Create your swim activity
Set your challenge goal
Recruit online donations

With our new and improved Swim for MS, you will now receive a Swim for MS Welcome Kit (coming soon) in the mail after completing your registration, which includes:

One Swim for MS t-shirt
One Swim for MS towel
20 Swim for MS wristbands

To register, please go to SwimForMS.org. After you complete your registration, select Access your Participant Center Now to create your online fundraising page! To inspire you, please check out our Swim for MS Profiles for examples of how to create your Swim for MS challenge.

Thank you for your support, and happy swimming!

Rock Out MS and Sharkfest San Diego

Posted on October 10, 2012 by Rob

After carefully mapping out the direction of Active with MS, I finally decided the first event I wanted to do to inspire MS patients to be active would be an open water swim and that swim would go to benefit MSAA. After going to a MSAA event in San Diego, I learned MSAA was recruiting volunteers for a swim fundraiser. I grew up a swimmer, I love open water races, it was too perfect to not participate. After looking at the list of local races for the year in San Diego I decided on participating in Sharkfest on October 14^th, a race that goes from the San Diego Convention Center to the Coronado Side of the Coronado Bridge, a distance of a little over a mile. While this should be a fun event for people to go to I really wanted to create an additional event that would allow me to meet more new people and have fun with my family and friends. To accomplish this I am putting together a benefit concert on October 12^th to serve as the main fundraiser for my swim.

The concert will be at Robbie’s Roadhouse Bar and Grille located at 530 N. Coast Hwy 101 Leucadia, California 92024. The talented Jesse Cox Syn-Drum will be providing live music from 6:30-10:30 and there will be a silent auction. In addition the restaurant will be donating a portion of the money spent on food and drinks to the cause as well. If you are in the area come by and say hi and join in on the fun. I’m really looking forward to this event, I’m expecting a lot of people and I really want this fundraiser to be successful for MSAA. If you can’t make it please still consider donating to my race at

http://support.mymsaa.org/site/TR/Swim1Mile/General?px=1548101&pg=personal&fr_id=1100

MS will never get the better of me, I am determined to stay strong and beat it. I hope you feel the same way. I have MS right now but I still believe there is a chance that one day I won’t. In the meantime I will continue to stay active and create events like these for MSAA and hopefully find more people to join me.

No matter how you help the MS community, thank you. Stay active, Stay positive, Go forth and beat MS.

http://activewithms.com/

Getting Started

Posted on September 14, 2012 by Shawn

My husband Bob and I started planning the “Big Hike” over a year ago, and while there were many starts and stops we are finally on our way. We spent many months planning the logistics of the hike, securing funds and training. There are so many things to think about. I know that my family has finally accepted my decision. They were concerned about my hiking solo, which not something I would have done, as I know my limitations. Then, there were concerns on being out in the “wild” for such a long period of time (at least two months). My mom, especially, didn’t realize that wild to me is being back on the streets of New York City. I do love New York but I am so accustomed to being out west that NY was analogous to “wild” for me.

My family has always been behind me, in spite of my seemingly strange adventures. Moving to Costa Rica; to Italy; studying art; becoming a banker; and a plethora of diverse changes I’ve made throughout my life.

We had a deadline for funding of August 21, 2012. About a week before the deadline I received an email from Liz Mares. She was hiking the Arizona Trail, solo, in September. I immediately reached out to her and asked if she would consider hiking with another hiker.

It turned out that we had a lot in common and our hiking pace was symmetry. Liz is an RN and also an artist. She’s from Ohio, where Bob is from and lives in Arizona now. She had Lymes Disease, and is sometimes affected, and I have MS.

Our fundraising efforts had been slow but gently it was trickling in enough to start us out, with the hopes of donations during out hike (insert link to donation page). To make sure we were able to start the journey, we dug into our own pockets the initial amount needed to begin. While Liz and I will be on the trail, my husband Bob, will be providing support by following us in a supply vehicle and posting up dates on our progress. I am also excited that my dad, of 73 years, will be joining us for three weeks! We’ve also been offered help from Trail Stewards, friends, family, and other avid hikers. And, my mom’s efforts will be in helping us fundraise, and moral support.

With so many blessings and the support of my loving and also patient husband we can now embark on this journey. Our first day on the trail was September 11. I will do my best to provide updates through my blog (Hiking for Multiple Sclerosis) and this one provided by MSAA. I hope that you will find my story inspiring and please feel free to comment or leave words of encouragement! I will do my best to respond when I can.

Saddle up for a Texas-sized adventure for MS

Posted on August 24, 2012 by John MSAA

Join us for the 4th Annual MSAA Lone Star Roundup Cattle Drive

September 20 – 23, 2012

You, your friends, and your family may have walked for MS. You may have ridden a bike for MS. You may have even participated in Swim for MS. MSAA now invites you to add a horse into the mix and join us for an adventure of a lifetime – all while benefiting those who have MS!

When: September 20 – 23, 2012

Where: The Beaumont Ranch in Grandview, Texas

(just a few minutes south of Dallas/Fort Worth)

The Fourth Annual MSAA Lone Star Roundup Cattle Drive is ready to roll! This four-day, three-night western adventure returning to the beautiful Beaumont Ranch will be the most fun you have ever had for a good cause! All money raised will go to support the many programs and services MSAA offers to help people affected by multiple sclerosis.

“The MSAA Cattle Drive is a chance to fulfill a life long dream, meet some great folks, enjoy some wonderful Texas hospitality, get some fresh air and exercise, chow down on superb Texas grub…and still know at the end of the day, I am helping to make life a bit easier for all of us that live with multiple sclerosis.”

- Linda Martin, diag: RRMS – 2000

All levels of riding experience are welcome for this event:

Never been on a horse? We’ll teach you everything you need to know to get on and stay on!
An expert rider? We’ll turn you loose in the Texas back country for some challenging riding and herding.

To learn more about the Lone Star Roundup, including information on your meals, accommodations, and how you can register, please visit this link.

Any questions, please call (800) 532-7667, ext. 137 to talk to Becky Remington, the “Trail Boss” for this event.

Or, if you can’t attend and wish to make a gift to support MSAA and the MS community,

please visit support.mymsaa.org/lonestarsupport.

Yee Haw! Hope we see you there!