CONTENTS MS Discuss Health & Wellness Chapter Events Programs & Services Brampton/Caledon Community Events Resources Thank You Donors New Office Staff Office Hours Recipe MS Discuss The three online MS family websites that existed previously (msforkids, msforteens and msforparents) and that offered message boards, chat rooms and information on MS have been discontinued. The advent of innovative social media such as Facebook and Twitter has brought about noticeably fewer visitors to these aged websites. Visitors attempting to access the discontinued sites will be re-directed to MS Discuss (msdiscuss.com). MS Discuss has been positioned as the singular English speaking on-line discussion forum for persons living with MS. Participation on MS Discuss remains a popular destination for people living with MS across Canada and throughout the globe. MS Discuss now displays new forums for kids, teens and families. To view the additions, please visit www.msdiscuss.com Health & Wellness The latest issue of New England Journal of Medicine will publish the results of the phase III trial of the drug teriflunomide on Thursday, October 6. Teriflunomide is an oral MS therapy that reduces the relapse rate of people with MS and slows down the progression of the disease. Further studies are ongoing to determine the long term effectiveness and safety of the drug. Summary: A new oral disease-modifying therapy, teriflunomide, an agent that inhibits specific immune cells, has shown positive results in a Phase III, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, parallel group study
involving 1088 people with relapsing MS over a span of two years. In the trial, which looked at safety and efficacy in reducing the frequency of relapses and progression of physical disability, Teriflunomide was found to significantly reduce relapses by 31.2% and 31.5% on a onedaily oral dose of 7mg and 14mg respectively. The higher dosage was shown to reduce the risk of disease progression. Beneficial changes were also seen in the MRI scans of treated patients including a 70% reduction in new lesions at the higher 14mg dose. Some adverse effects included diarrhea, nausea, and hair thinning or decreased hair density. There was no difference in serious side effects between patients on the drug and placebo and there were no deaths in the trial. Further study is needed for a better understanding of the medication's long term safety profile. The authors concluded that teriflunomide is an effective new monotherapy for relapsing MS. Key messages: The MS Society of Canada welcomes the results of the study on teriflunomide and its potential to be an additional treatment option for people living with relapsing forms of MS. We will closely monitor its progress including any possible applications to Health Canada and will provide new information on mssociety.ca when available. Chapter Events Programs & Services B-I-N-G-O! Join us for Bingo every Monday afternoon from 12:30p.m-3:30 p.m. @ Bingo County Hall 190 Hwy 7 West 905-451-7771. Since Bingo is the Chapter s largest Source of income, we ask you to come and support us. Bolton Support Group Every other Thursday Time: 6:30-8:30pm Christ Church (Basement) 22 Nancy St. Bolton Brampton Swimming Program Thursday @ 10am-11am The Wellness Centre 955 Peter Robertson Blvd. Brampton, Ont. Bolton Swimming Program Every other Thursday @ 10-11am Caledon Centre Wellness Hwy #50 North, Bolton, Ontario Our Annual Christmas Party is cancelled for 2011. We are working on a Dinner or Brunch for the New Year. Information to follow.
Brampton/Caledon Community Events 2011 Santa Clause Parade-Brampton Saturday November 19 th, at 5PM Parad Theme: TWAS The Lights Before Christmas- 905-451-1122 St. Anthony s School 950 North Park Drive Christmas Bazaar & Craft Sale Saturday November 26 @ 9-4pm 905-791-9325 Christmas Bazaar St. Jeromes Church 8530 Chiquacousy Rd. Saturday November 26 @ 9-3pm 905-455-4260 Christmas Dinner & Dance Friday December 2 nd, @ The Caledon Senior Centre 6pm. Call 905-951-6114 Bolton Kinsmen Santa Clause Parade Saturday December 3 rd. Call for info 416-986-8507 If you have any community events happening please let me know. Thank you donors! Your contributions help provide services to individuals and families including educational, social and financial programs. If you would like to donate to the Brampton/Caledon Chapter programs and services, please make your cheque payable to Brampton/Caledon, MS Society New Office Staff Hello everyone, my name is Margaret. I m the new office coordinator. Along with running the office, I will also be responsible for fundraising. Anyone has any ideas or would like to host a 3 rd Party fundraising please let me know. As you are all aware our chapter runs only on donations. You have any question please call or e-mail me at margaret.schiavi@mssociety.ca Resources Canada Benefits www.canadabenefits.gc.ca 1-800-622-6232 Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefit 1-800-277-9914 Office Hours Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9am to 4:30pm Tel: 905-458-0267 Fax: 905-458-9251 CLOSED: Monday & Friday
Banana Bread Recipe ½ cup all-purpose flour mix ½ cup wheat bran 1/3- cup sugar ¼ cup ground flaxseed or flax meal 1 tsp. each of baking soda and baking powder ½ tsp. cinnamon ¼ tsp. salt 1 ¼ cup mashed bananas ¾ cup Greek yogurt 2 eggs 2 tbsp. butter, melted 1 tsp. vanilla ½ cup chopped walnuts (optional) 1/3 cup mini semi- sweet chocolate chips Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray a 9x5-inch loaf pan lightly with cooking spray and set aside. In a large bowl, combine flour, ground flax, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. In a medium bowl, whisk together bananas, yogurt, eggs, butter and vanilla. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir until moistened. Fold in nuts and chocolate chips, being careful not to over mix the batter. Spoon batter into prepared pan. Bake for about 50 minutes, or until wooden skewer inserted in center of loaf comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes. Remove loaf from pan and cool completely on a wire rack. Slice and serve or wrap lightly with plastic wrap and store at room temperature. You can do this into muffin tins and bake for 20-25 minutes or so.