Making Our Mark Against MS

Transcription

1 Making Our Mark Against MS ANNUAL REPORT 2007

2 The Greater Delaware Valley Chapter: Making Our Mark Against MS 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 through our 50-state network of chapters. We fund more MS research, provide more services to people with MS, offer more professional education and further more advocacy efforts than any other MS organization in the world. The Society is dedicated to achieving a world free of MS. Since 1954, the Greater Delaware Valley Chapter has been at the forefront of providing help and hope for local people living with multiple sclerosis and those who care for them. 2 We are one of the largest National MS Society chapters in the nation, serving 18 counties throughout southeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey, and one of the most successful in offering educational programs and direct services to meet the needs of people affected by MS.

3 Year in Review: Fiscal 2007 The fiscal year that ended on September 30, 2007 was one of the most remarkable in the long history of the chapter. The chapter raised $11.5 million, a marked increase over the prior year that allowed us to keep pace with the expanding needs of our clients and increase our funding of medical research. Research: Increasing Knowledge, Advancing Toward Cures Finding better treatments and, ultimately, a cure for multiple sclerosis is fundamental to everything we do. To advance this vitally important goal, we support cutting edge researchers who apply their expertise in diverse areas: neurological science, immunology, genetics, virology, basic sciences and clinical medical rehabilitation. Major accomplishments in 2007 included: Nationally, we invested more than $46 million in 440 new and ongoing MS research projects as part of an international effort to prevent, treat and cure MS This financial support includes 15 ongoing research projects at four Philadelphia-area hospitals, with a total commitment of $8 million Several large-scale clinical trials in different forms of MS were launched, including an oral medication trial and a multi-center trial of the pregnancy hormone estriol in women with early relapsing-remitting MS The chapter is well on its way to fulfilling its $2 million commitment to the Promise: 2010 initiative to finance under-explored research areas Researchers realized significant advances in both clinical and laboratory studies in MS. In addition, more than 130 clinical trials are under way around the world, and still other experimental drugs are expected to reach clinical trial stage by the end of the decade 3

4 Programs: Knowing More, Connecting More Education is essential to enhancing the quality of life of people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Our programs promote physical, emotional and family health, as well as social and recreational support. Some of the major accomplishments in 2007 included: MS Conference & Expo, which attracted more than 1,500 people, making it the largest gathering for people living with MS in the world A record-number of professional education sessions for local neurologists, general practitioners, nurses and other health-care providers More than 33 self-help groups throughout the region, part of a national network of more than 1,800, including new specialized groups for caregivers, parents with MS and professionals with MS More than 60 workshops, teleconference series, conferences and weekend programs, serving about 3,500 clients and their families Services: Reaching out, Reaching Up With a full range of support services, the Greater Delaware Valley Chapter ensures that members know they can turn to us to move forward in their lives. Our direct services allow local people living with MS to remain in the community and maintain their greatest level of independence. Support successes in 2007 included: Introduction of a nutritional counseling program, Healthy Eating, Healthy You, that served more than 40 individuals A 50% increase in local college scholarships to support 10 additional students who have MS or a parent with the disease, part of a program that provided assistance to 332 students throughout the country 4

5 An expansion of our medical transport program, which now provides transportation to neurology appointments and four other medical appointments annually Increased participation in our emergency financial assistance program, which provided a total of $20,000 in grants to people in crisis Expanded collaborative activities with a growing list of clinical partners, including Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital, St. Luke s Hospital, Children s Hospital of Pennsylvania, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Moss Rehabilitation Hospital, Lehigh Valley Hospital, the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and other leading health organizations to ensure effective use of resources and provide the best possible assistance for local people living with MS Development: Making the Most of the Movement As the pace of scientific study advances and the chapter increases its commitments to those living with MS and their families, our needs for funding also grow. The chapter s development team celebrated a record-breaking year in 2007 as we attracted more than 25,000 participants and volunteers to our events. Successful 2007 campaigns included: City to Shore MS Bike Tour reached new heights with a 20% increase in fundraising to hit $5 million and an additional 1,000 cyclists to attract 7,000 participants MS Walk attracted a record-breaking 13,000 participants who raised $2.6 million MS Challenge Walk saw a 25% fundraising increase to $650,000 The Major Gifts initiative continued to increase its impact by raising nearly $400,000 Finally, we would like to acknowledge the many individuals and families who helped further our mission through the Society s Tributes/Memorials and Legacies/Bequests programs; your thoughtfulness and support in contributing nearly $300,000 is greatly appreciated 5

6 Finance: Making the Most of Every Dollar The Greater Delaware Valley Chapter appreciates the generosity of its donors and takes every step possible to ensure that funds are used responsibly and effectively as we work to create a world free of MS. We consistently keep our expenditures below the recommended standards for nonprofit groups, and the Greater Delaware Valley Chapter has received a four-star rating from Charity Navigator for exceeding industry standards and outperforming most charities in its cause. Net Assets to Reserves 3% Management & General 6% Fundraising 10% Programs and Services 43% National Research & Programs 38% STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS FISCAL YEAR 2007 Special Events (net of benefit to donor expenses of $1,449,456) Individual & Corporate Support Legacies & Bequests Interest & Investments Total Income $8,180,675 $1,374,301 $182,548 $303,160 $10,040,684 FUNCTIONALIZED EXPENSES FISCAL YEAR 2007 Programs and Services National Research & Programs Fundraising Management & General Net Assets to Reserves Total Expenses For complete financial information, please call the chapter at $4,342,599 $3,819,805 $972,029 $615,269 $290,982 $10,040, % 38.04% 9.68% 6.13% 2.90% % 6 A copy of the official registration and financial information for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater Delaware Valley Chapter may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free within Pennsylvania Registration does not imply endorsement.

7 Board of Trustees Fiscal Year 2007 OFFICERS: Jeff A. Petty, Chair Linda J. McAleer, Special Advisor Larry Kane, Vice Chair Daniel S. Ojserkis, Esq., Chair, Governance Committee David N. Schlesinger, Treasurer Bradley J. Korman, Secretary MEMBERS: Stephen A. Albertini Michael A. Bogdonoff, Esq. Marc Brownstein Frank R. Calzaretta Nate Cohen Phillip D. Cooper Patricia V. Counsellor, RN, MS Roger J. Dennis Brian DiDonato, Chair, Promise 2010 Campaign Patrick J. Eiding Howard K.Goldstein, Esq. Laura Grossi-Tyson, Esq. Rhonda Karp, EdD Robert B. Kimmel Linda G. Kraemer, PhD Research Advocate Bradley A. Krouse, Esq. Charles D. Kurtzman Nicholas J. Maiale, Esq., Chair, Investment Committee Lenore Millhollen William T. Monahan James L. Murray, Esq. Trena Pelham, MD Louis R. Pichini, Esq., Chair, Audit Committee A. M. Rostami, MD, PhD Frank C. Sabatino, Esq. Molly D. Shepard Judith A. Spires Renaat Van den Hooff Col. Michael L. Warner CHAPTER PRESIDENT John H. Scott 7

8 About MS Multiple sclerosis interrupts the flow of information from the brain to the body and 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. Studies show that early and ongoing treatment with an FDAapproved therapy can reduce future disease activity and improve quality of life for many people with multiple sclerosis. National MS Society medical advisors recommend that people with MS talk with their health care professional about using one of these medications and about strategies and effective treatments to manage symptoms. If you or someone you know has MS, please contact the Society today at nationalmssociety.org or FIGHT-MS to learn about ways to help manage multiple sclerosis and about current research that may one day reveal a cure. 1 Reed Street, #200 Philadelphia, PA telephone fax pae@nmss.org 8www.nationalMSsociety.org/pae