Linda Gallant named MS Person of the Year
A variety of special events, including two fundraisers, planned for MS Awareness Month
Local volunteers with the MS Society of Canada will be out in full force in May as part of MS Awareness Month in P.E.I.
A cornerstone of the month is the annual carnation campaign which takes place at Island stores over Mother’s Day weekend, May 10-12.
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, often disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord, which can affect individuals in such key areas as decreased motor skills and cognition.
There are now about 1,000 Islanders dealing with various levels of MS and some 7,000 Atlantic Canadians with this chronic, often disabling disease.
Canada has one of the highest rates of MS in the world and is a leader in research to improve the lives of MS patients.
This year’s global campaign, “Bringing Us Closer”, celebrates the many ways that MS research is moving forward to end the disease.
The #BringingUsCloser campaign is also about connecting people affected by MS with those involved in MS research, including scientists, students,
“It’s a chance to come together to celebrate what we’ve achieved in MS research so far and share our hopes for the future.” Ben Davis
health-care providers, fundraisers and volunteers.
“It’s a chance to come together to celebrate what we’ve achieved in MS research so far and share our hopes for the future,” says Ben Davis, president of the MS Atlantic division.
Locally, Island volunteers will be involved in a number of events during May, including flag-raisings at various municipalities. They also visited Society’s with Lt.-Gov. Antoinette Perry for a reception at Government House to mark the month.
This year, the provincial chapter of the MS Society has named Linda Gallant as the MS Person of the Year on P.E.I.
Gallant lives in Miscouche with her daughter, Danielle. She was diagnosed with MS in March 2002, six months after her daughter was born.
She is a longtime volunteer and is co-leader of an MS selfhelp group in Summerside.
The other major event for MS Awareness Month is the MS Walk which will be held on Sunday, May 27, at HMCS Queen Charlotte on the Charlottetown waterfront.
The walk registration begins at 2 p.m. and the walk starts at 3 p.m.
To learn more about the MS Society, Atlantic division’s MS Month events and activities connect at 800-268-7582 or go to info.atlantic@mssociety.ca.