Saskatoon Chapter Newsletter

Transcription

1 Saskatoon Chapter Newsletter Spring 2010 Edition Isabelle McCrea gets her head shaved as a part of the MS Read-A-Thon Program. See page 6 for the story! THIS ISSUE Programs & Services 2 Train the Doctors of Tomorrow 4 Upcoming Events 6 Upcoming Education Sessions 7 Contact Information 8 Facebook We are now on Facebook! Facebook is one of the most popular social networking websites in the world. It is a great place to stay informed about MS Society initiatives, meet other people who have MS or family members with MS, and show your support. Become a fan of the MS Society of Canada Saskatchewan Division today! Please share this Saskatoon Chapter Newsletter with a friend!

2 Programs Programs & Services Services Saskatoon MS Peer Support Group Living with MS is different for everyone, but we all have one thing in common: multiple sclerosis has affected our lives. The MS Support Group can help you learn more about MS, plus help you feel a kinship with those who know what it s like to live with this unpredictable disease. This monthly, free group often has a theme and a presenter to help direct conversation and questions, and to create a positive approach to learning. You ll also have time to share stories and coping strategies with people with MS and their spouses, caregivers, and close friends. A facilitator is also on hand to steer conversation and help answer any questions you may have about the disease, current treatments, and the role of the MS Society. Do you feel like you live well with MS? Drop in and tell us how you do it. Finding it difficult to cope some days? We understand. Upcoming Sessions: February 25: Tax Time: What you need to know A guest from Meyers Norris Penny is joining us. Please submit your specific questions by ing or calling Cassie Nesbitt at or cassie.nesbitt@mssociety.ca March 25: Conversations Café April 29: U of S Centre for Integrative Medicine May 27: Conversations Café All meetings begin at 7:00 pm and take place at the W.A. Edwards Family Centre, th Ave N. Topics are subject to change. Please contact Shaianne Kotlar at shaiannek@hotmail.com or Special Assistance Programs MS Special Assistance Programs provide funds to assist people with MS and their primary caregivers. For more information, or to request an application package, please call Cassie Nesbitt at

3 Recreation Subsidies The MS Recreation Subsidy Programs enable persons with MS, or their children, to enhance their quality of life by participating in social, educational, and or recreational activities. The programs allow the individuals to identify which programs they would like to participate in, while the MS Society assists with the participation costs. Through the Recreation Subsidy, persons with MS may apply for up to $100. Children who have a parent with MS, up to 18 years of age, can quality for the Children s Recreation Subsidy and apply for up to $100 per child. For more information, or to obtain your application, contact Cassie Nesbitt at MS Strength Training and Aqua-Fit Programs (YWCA) If you are living with MS and are interested in participating in a weekly Strength Training or Aqua Fitness class, please contact Cassie for times and availability. Need Income Tax Assistance? The Community Volunteer Income Tax program at the Saskatoon Food Bank and Learning Centre may be able to assist you. Please contact the Income Tax Help Office at for more information.

4 Help Train the Future Doctors of Saskatchewan Join the University of Saskatchewan s College of Medicine Volunteer Patient Program! Volunteer Patients are People of all ages and from all backgrounds who volunteer their time to help train Saskatchewan s doctors of tomorrow. Volunteer patients play an important part in the student s medical education. Without volunteer patients, the students would not have the opportunity to develop the basic medical skills. As a volunteer you will not be asked to undergo any treatment, invasive procedure or be asked to participate in anything that makes you uncomfortable. You can wear shorts and a t-shirt during the examination. Value to medical students Patients across Canada and the US now spend less time in hospitals and as a result medical colleges need alternate patients. The Volunteer Patient Program effectively fills this need and becomes a valuable part of medical school training. In addition to development of clinical skills the program provides students with the opportunity to practice their communication skills. Value to educators Provides an actual clinical setting which provides a risk-free environment to patients. Interested? Contact the UofS s Volunteer Patient Program at or volunteerpatientprogram@usask.ca 2010 Job Fair 2010 Job Fair For Work Seekers with Disabilities Friday March 12 th, 2010 Grand Gallery TCU Place 1:30pm-5:00pm This job fair is exclusively for job seekers living with a disability. It will feature employers committed to a representative workforce, as well as service providers with information on accommodations and funding. For more information, please contact Brian Campbell at (306) or bcampbell@ccrw.org

5 Fundraising Events Youth Wages War on MS! In 12 short days approximately 150 grade 4 and 5 students from Silver Spring School in Saskatoon through participation in MS Read-A-Thon raised close to $10,000 to benefit people living with MS. Their fires were fueled by enthusiastic teachers led by RAT Captain, Isabelle McCrea, who agreed to a public make-over if their $5,000 goal were to be met. The sporty new red Mohawk she now wears is a testament to her own enthusiasm and her ability to transfer that drive to her coworkers and students not only to participate in a Reading Marathon but also to generate funds to assist the MS Society of Canada to fulfill its mission. Through their efforts they have also earned $1,000 of gift vouchers to help put more books on the shelves of their school library. Silverspring has set the bar high for Saskatoon Schools registered to participate later this school year: Roland Michener, Lawson Heights, St. George and Mother Teresa. Contact Bill at or bill.schoepp@mssociety.ca to find out how you too can be involved. There is always room for more school participation. Talk to Bill about how to bring your school on board. Flower Power to End MS 2010 It s that time of year again, the MS Carnation Campaign Brighten the day of someone living with or affected by MS with a fresh bouquet of Carnations. Purchasing a bouquet helps further the research in the fight to End MS and provides services to improve the quality of life for those who are affected by MS. You can purchase bouquets for only $10 from a Carnation Coordinator in your workplace or by calling the MS Society at This year the bouquets are beautiful multi-colored carnations cradled in leather greens which will light up any room. The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada is currently looking for more Carnation Coordinators to do pre-sales in your workplace. If you would like to volunteer and help End MS please call the MS Society at For any more information please feel free to call the above number or visit our website at

6 Upcoming Events Saskatoon Chapter AGM March 3 MS WALK April 25 MS Carnation Campaign May 3-7 MS Research Luncheon June 4 (Regina) Saskatoon Chapter AGM Wednesday, March 3, :00 pm W.A. Edwards Family Centre (333 4 th Ave N) Everyone welcome! The Saskatoon Chapter Board has a few positions available, if you are interested in becoming a board member, please contact Cassie or cassie.nesbitt@mssociety.ca

7 Upcoming Education Sessions Progressive MS Education Session Thursday, April 15 th Rependa Auditorium Saskatoon City Hospital 4:00 5:30 Presenter: Dr. Andrew Kirk, Saskatoon neurologist. Register today! If planning to attend the live Saskatoon session, you must register with Cassie Nesbitt at (306) by April 7 th, Limited space available. Free Admission. This session will also be broadcast live to select locations across Saskatchewan over the Telehealth Network. CCSVI What is CCSVI? Chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) is a term used to describe a hypothetical situation in which the venous system is not able to efficiently remove blood from the central nervous system. It is stated that this is related to narrowing of small venous structures in the neck, chest and spine. Where can I learn more about CCSVI? To learn more about CCSVI visit our website: mssociety.ca/ccsvi. There is lots of great information on this issues as well as informative videos to watch. CCSVI and Multiple Sclerosis Session March 30, 1:00 3:00 pm. Rependa Auditorium Saskatoon City Hospital Presenters: Dr. Katherine Knox, Director, MS Clinic (Saskatoon City Hospital), Peter Szkup, Neuro and Interventional Radiology. If planning to attend the live Saskatoon session, you must register with Cassie Nesbitt at (306) by March 26 th, Limited space available. Free Admission. This session will also be broadcast live to select locations across Saskatchewan over the Telehealth Network.

8 Contact Information HealthLine is a toll-free telephone service providing access to health advice and information 24/7 regardless of where you live. MS Clinics Through the MS Clinics you will have access to health care professionals who can answer your medical questions. Appointments are by referral from your family physician. Saskatoon Clinic Jan Britz, RN Clinic Coordinator Saskatoon City Hospital, Saskatoon 701 Queen Street, Room 7717 (7th Floor) Phone: (306) Toll-free: Website: Saskatchewan Division Client Services Staff Saskatoon Office Cassie Nesbitt Community Resources Coordinator cassie.nesbitt@mssociety.ca Quebec Ave Saskatoon, SK S7K 1V9 Phone: (306) Toll-free: Paula Moon-Wozney Director of Client Services paula.moonwozney@mssociety.ca Return undeliverables to: MS Society of Canada, SK Division 150 Albert Street Regina, SKS4R 2N2 Place address label here