MS Carnation Campaign – May 10 to 13

Did you know? Women are more than three times as likely to develop MS as men.


Many Canadians living with MS are mothers, which is why every year the MS Carnation Campaign takes place over the Mother’s Day weekend. From Thursday, May 10 to Sunday, May 13, thousands will be showing their dedication by selling carnations on street corners, in malls and other public places. Be sure to celebrate Mother’s Day and MS Awareness Month by picking up a carnation for a loved one this weekend.

We are seeking friendly, outgoing and committed volunteers to sell flowers during our annual  MS Carnation Campaign. If you’re interested in volunteering, please contact Mark.Teeple@mssociety.ca or 416-922-6600 ext. 3157.

May is MS Awareness Month!

As we enter MS Awareness Month this May, we remember that MS is a complex disease that affects every person differently. While the majority of people living with MS are diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), more than half will develop secondary-progressive MS within 10 years of their diagnosis; and 90 per cent will develop progressive MS within 25 years of their diagnosis.

This year, we are dedicating MS Awareness Month to raising awareness about progressive MS. To further our knowledge about progressive MS, the MS Society of Canada and Multiple Sclerosis Scientific Research Foundation are funding a $3.8 million collaborative grant to investigate the complex interplay between degeneration and inflammation in multiple sclerosis, research which may have special relevance for those with progressive forms of MS. There has never been a more hopeful time in Canadian MS research.

There are many ways you can highlight MS Awareness Month throughout the month of May:

• Update your Facebook status and timeline cover to promote MS Awareness Month.
• Read and repost important May Awareness Month press releases from the MS Society of Canada.
• Launch a “Dress for MS Day” in your office by wearing “MS” red and making a donation to the MS Society of Canada.
• From Thursday, May 10 to Saturday, May 12 be sure to use the power of the flower to end MS with the MS Carnation Campaign! Just in time for Mother’s Day, you can buy your mother or loved one a carnation from one of our volunteers.
• Visit your local Mr. Lube on Saturday, May 12. For every oil change done that day, $5 will be donated the MS Society of Canada in support of their Founder’s Day Campaign.
• On May 30, acknowledge and celebrate World MS Day.
• Join the MS research teleconference taking place May 31 at 6:00 pm ET.

Since the 1970s, we have observed May as MS Awareness Month to raise awareness on behalf of people affected by MS.  Thank you for continuing to lend strength towards our efforts to end MS.

Fundraising Tip #5 – Create a video message to spread the word

With millions visiting YouTube each day, why not try creating a brief video message to tell viewers why raising money for the 2012 MS Bike Tours is important to you! Post the video to your social media accounts or forward your message on by email. It has been proven that people who use social media channels for fundraising raise six times as much as those who don’t! You can also play the video at social gatherings to show friends and family your dedication to help end MS.

Register for the 2012 MS Bike Tours Today!

 

 
Join the movement to end MS and participate in the largest cycling series in North America. Funds raised* from the MS Bike tours help to provide services and programs for those affected by MS and support research to end the disease.

Find out more about the MS Bike Tour and register at http://www.msbiketours.ca/.

* All registered cyclists must meet the $250 fundraising minimum.

Prince Edward County - July 8
Grand Bend to London - July 28-29
Acton to Waterloo - August 18-19
Niagara - August 26
Toronto - September 9
 

Raise $250 online and receive a $10 RONA gift card!

 

For a limited time only, receive a $10 RONA gift card when you raise funds of $250 or more online between Wednesday, April 25 and May 2nd!*

So, if you’re only starting out with your fundraising, you can receive this prize just by reaching your fundraising minimum!

Good luck on your fundraising and be sure to keep checking the blog for more fundraising tips and incentives! Let us know how you’re doing by sharing on our Facebook or Twitter page!

Register today and join the largest cycling series in North America at msbiketours.ca!

*Fundraise $250 online, between April 25 and May 2, 2012, over and above any previously raised funds in order to be eligible for this incentive. Limit one $10 gift card per registered MS Bike Tour participant.

National Volunteer Week

    

 

In honour of National Volunteer Week, we would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our amazing volunteers for supporting the work of the MS Society and donating your time to help end MS. We greatly appreciate everything you do to help make a difference in the lives of those living with MS. Your dedication and hard work never goes unnoticed.

For more information about volunteer opportunities, please contact: Nicole Dube at volunteer@mssociety.ca or 1-800-268-7582 ext. 3111.

  

Fundraising Tip #4 - Host a Pancake Breakfast!

 

Planning a pancake breakfast at a community centre -or another community-oriented location -is a great way to increase your fundraising for the 2012 MS Bike Tours! Providing a nice warm breakfast at a reasonable price will allow people to get involved within their community while donating to an important cause.

You can easily spread the word about your pancake breakfast fundraiser by handing out or posting flyers at your location of choice, advertising the event on your social media accounts or calling your local newspaper to extend an invitation and inquire about free listings.