On a chilly Sunday morning with the threat of Hurricane Sandy on the horizon, 23,515 runners embarked on the Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) on October 28, 2012. In the group of 23,515 runners were eight members of Team MSAA, running on behalf of the multiple sclerosis community. These eight runners, dedicated the past six months to training and preparing for the grueling 26.2 mile course, which started at the Pentagon and went through some of the most historic sites in the nation’s capital. Team MSAA for the MCM, raised almost $9,000 in support of MSAA’s mission of enriching the quality of life of everyone affected by MS. Team MSAA was comprised of individuals from across the country. You can read about them by visiting the Team MSAA page and I encourage you to do so, as their personal stories are very inspiring!

Thank you Team MSAA!  You did great work!

Here are a few pictures from race day!

Team MSAA members Joel and Shari get ready to start the 37th annual Marine Corps Marathon

Runners are getting ready to start the Marine Corps Marathon

It is easy to get caught up in everyday stress, such that when a holiday or special event approaches you may feel added stress instead just enjoying the day. Maybe today you have a child or grandchild who will be going out Trick-or-Treating or participating in a costume parade, but even if you don’t Halloween is not just for children.

Even without little ones around, you may enjoy decorating the house in spooky decor (a wonderful co-worker here at MSAA picks a theme every year and really goes to town setting up an elaborate scene on his front lawn for visiting Trick-or-Treaters—see below). We don’t all go to such great lengths, but you may enjoy baking treats or handing out candy. If you do celebrate Halloween, even in the simplest of fashions, try to take a moment just to savor the day and focus on whatever it is you love about this holiday!

* For anyone who has been impacted by hurricane Sandy, our thoughts are with you and your families at this time.

My name is Rob and I entered the world of multiple sclerosis (MS) one year ago. At the time I barely knew what MS was. I was released from the hospital in early October 2011 with a diagnosis of probable MS, which was quickly confirmed. This was terrifying news for a 26 year-old recently engaged guy, whose only other hospital stay was for having tonsils removed. During the first  few weeks, I read all I could about MS and talked to any expert that would listen. During this time the range of emotions, I felt went from being encouraged  and positive to lowest I ever felt.

In November [2011] a co-worker helped to change my life when she signed me up for a half marathon in January [2012]. I had never run a marathon before and frankly the thought of doing one never crossed my mind before that moment. With the help of her constant encouragement and the positive support of my friends and family, I trained  and completed my first half marathon, post diagnosis. I didn’t break any land speed records, but on that day I won. I successfully went from not being able to walk across a room unassisted to running 13.1 miles in the span of 2 months which made me wonder what else I could do.

During training, I began to realize that exercise no matter how light was helping me with my MS, specifically spasticity and MS fatigue. When my arms would shake or when my legs began to feel like they were rooted into the ground I stopped and rested. When I was feeling good I pushed myself. The more I trained the less symptoms I had. Even knowing this I did nothing for a month after the race and I had my next exacerbation. This one I say, my left leg and arm recovered about 95%. I walk a little funny sometimes now and the grip of my left hand is noticeably weaker. I felt fortunate that my exacerbation didn’t do more damage. I took this as a sign that I needed to be better. I had kicked around the idea of making a group promoting an active lifestyle for MS patients after the marathon and this pretty much sealed the deal.

Please note: Before beginning an exercise program patients should always consult with a healthcare provider, preferably one who has knowledge of multiple sclerosis.

With help from family and friends, particularly my beautiful wife who has been my rock and dedicated partner through all this, Active With MS is now a reality. It’s my goal now to promote an active lifestyle for all MS patients and to help the MS community as much as I can. I want to inspire and motivate MS patients to stay active and never give up. I love MSAA because I find them to be amazing advocates for us. MSAA provides many services, but I like to highlight two in particular. First, MSAA’s cooling equipment program. This program provides equipment which can be critical to a MS patient trying to lead an active lifestyle. The second one is the MRI Institute which helps to pay for expensive MRIs.

I look forward to building this group up in the years to come and raising money for MSAA through active events like runs and swims – maybe we can even throw in a bowling night.

Thank you MSAA for letting me guest blog. As I say at the end of all my posts on activewithms.com: Stay active, stay positive, go forth and beat MS.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this summer’s Swim for MS Pool Party – swimmers, supporters, family, and friends! The generous help and dedication of all involved helped to raise funds to support individuals with multiple sclerosis through the many vital programs and services offered by MSAA.

The Swim for MS Pool Party, part of MSAA’s popular Swim for MS program, took place from Memorial Day to Labor Day 2012. Pool Party volunteers hosted one-day events in their own backyard or community pool – such as swimming laps, doing cannonballs or a game of Marco Polo – and collected pledges from friends and family. A few highlights from this summer’s Pool Party:

Marcus B. from Texas completed 500 jumps in his local pool and raised $100 with his Pool Party.

Jeannie L. in Florida raised over $1,200 by organizing a Synchronized Swim for MS Pool Party for her 50th birthday!

Cody J. of Pennsylvania held a 24 Hour Swim Party and collected over $1,600 to help those with multiple sclerosis.

Coming Soon! Though the summer Pool Party may be coming to an end, be on the lookout for the new and improved year-round Swim for MS, featuring an updated design and easier ways to create, improve, and utilize your Swim pages. Check back regularly at mymsaa.org for more in the coming weeks, or sign up to be the first to know about MSAA’s brand new Swim for MS here!

On Tuesday, September 18 Cherry Hill, NJ Mayor Chuck Cahn was on hand for the official unveiling of a solar panel array that was installed at the Multiple Sclerosis Association of  America’s national headquarters located at 706 Haddonfield Road in Cherry Hill, NJ.

MSAA partnered with Independent Solar of Clinton, NJ to install a 109 kW rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) system consisting of 444 solar panels that will offset roughly 70% of the electricity used at MSAA’s national headquarters.

The system was installed via a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) between Independent Solar and MSAA. The PPA is expected to save MSAA more than $146,000 over the next 20 years with zero out of pocket expense.

On September 12, 2012, Sanofi and its subsidiary Genzyme announced that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had approved their new drug, Aubagio™ (oral teriflunomide), for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). The FDA had accepted their New Drug Application (NDA) in October, 2011. This is the ninth disease-modifying therapy approved by the FDA for the long-term treatment of MS. Of these nine, Aubagio is the second approved medication for MS that is taken orally.

This drug is an immunomodulator that affects the production of T and B cells. It inhibits rapidly dividing cells, including activated T cells, which are thought to drive the disease process in MS. It also may inhibit nerve degeneration by reducing the production of free radicals, possibly decreasing the risk of infections and other complications linked to chemotherapy-like drugs.

Aubagio has been approved in two dose levels: 7 mg and 14 mg. The medication is produced in film-coated tablets and is taken once daily, with or without food. Since the higher dose shows greater effectiveness, this dose may be more frequently prescribed. However, for individuals who may be more sensitive to the drug and experience greater side effects, the 7-mg dose may be more appropriate. The drug is expected to be available beginning October 1st.

To read more please visit the MSAA website.

Please be sure to check back, as the latest edition of MSAA’s magazine The Motivator will soon be available which will include more research news.