Insights into life with MS

By Adrian Nieoczym - Kelowna Capital News - May 09, 2008

NewS.113.20080509000257.09_SC_MSCarnations_20080509.jpg

Tara O’Sullivan, daughter of local media personality Mohini Singh, clings to Kelowna Mayor Sharon Shepherd as she examines carnations the MS Society will be selling today and tomorrow to raise research funds.

Sean Connor/Capital News

Multiple sclerosis afflicts women three times as often as men. That’s why the MS Society’s Carnation Campaign takes place every year over Mother’s Day weekend.

“We have a couple of thousand flowers to sell,” said Myra Majeran, fundraising co-ordinator for the society’s Okanagan chapter. “Our goal is to raise funds, raise awareness and have fun.

The Okanagan chapter is participating in this national campaign for the second year in a row. Volunteers will be selling carnations Friday and Saturday at Zellers and Save-On-Foods at Orchard Park Plaza on Cooper Road, as well as at those same stores in Westbank.

On Friday only, carnations will also be available at Orchard Park Mall.

MS is a disease that attacks the central nervous system and is the number one neurological disease affecting young adults. It usually strikes between the ages of 15 and 40 and will affect one in 500 Canadians.

There is no known cause or cure, though drugs like Copaxone can help control it.

Local media personality Mohini Singh was diagnosed with MS about eight years ago. Her six-year-old daughter, Tara O’Sullivan helps Singh deal with the disease, which affects the left side of her body.

“My daughter’s totally in the loop with me,” said Singh. “She gives me my injections at night and if I have a little blood spilled, she’ll wipe it down for me. She helps me exercise every night. My daughter helps me exercise my legs. She makes me swim, she makes me ride (a bike).”

Mayor Sharon Shepherd has also signed a declaration making May MS Awareness Month.

“There’s many people in our own community who are impacted by MS, so we support any initiative by the society to bring awareness to the disease and promote fundraising,” said the mayor.

Approximately 20,000 carnations will be sold during the campaign in B.C. this year. It’s expected to raise over $100,000 across the province and $1.5 million across the country.

The money goes towards research and the MS society’s services.

As part of MS Awareness Month, on May 31, the Okanagan chapter is holding an MS education seminar at St. Aidan’s Church.

Physiotherapist Tom Gruendel will talk about rehabilitation for MS sufferers and Erika Holenski will talk about how acupuncture can help.

For more information call the Okanagan chapter of the MS Society at 762-5950.

adrian@kelownacapnews.com

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Insights into life with MS

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