Physical activity guidelines for adults living with MS

As announced in the Fall/Winter issue of MS Canada magazine, the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) has released Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines for Adults with MS. The MS Society recommends these guidelines for those living with mild to moderate MS who want to pursue physical activity.

You can see the summary below:

Be sure to visit mssociety.ca/physicalguidelines for advice on getting started, more detailed guidelines and frequently asked questions.

Make MS Bike part of your holiday celebrations

The holidays are a time for generosity, when our hearts turn toward family, friends or even strangers in need. Participation in the 2013 MS Bike season is one great way for you to make a difference in your community – here are some ways for your family and friends to join in the season’s goodwill.

 

• Ask friends and family members to join your MS Bike team. Over the holidays, family dinners and get-togethers with old friends help us reconnect with people we don’t spend enough time with throughout the year. Why not ask them to join you at a 2013 MS Bike event as a team member, volunteer or cheerleader? A shared commitment will help you to stay in touch, and you can look forward to seeing one another at your community’s event come spring.
• In lieu of gifts, request donations to help you reach your fundraising goal. We’ve all had the awkward and frustrating experience of searching for that perfect gift for the person who has everything. Save your friends, family and co-workers the trouble and request donations to your personal online fundraising page instead of traditional gifts. A donation is a quick, easy and meaningful show of support.
• Teach children about the importance of giving. As a family, make a donation to your children’s aunt, uncle, sibling or friend who is participating in the MS Bike Tour. Explain the importance that your contributions will make to supporting people affected by MS.
• Spread the word. As people look for ways to give back to their communities during the holiday season, make sure they’re aware of your mission. Add a link to your personal fundraising page to your email signature and advertise your progress toward your fundraising goal on your social networks.

Can you think of any other ideas about how to make the 2013 MS Bike season part of your holiday celebrations? Tell us about them on Facebook or Twitter.



Four key winter cycling tips



Now that winter weather seems to have arrived for good, it can be tempting to put your bike into storage for a few months. By following these tips, however, it’s possible to keep your bike out of hibernation for at least a little while longer – and maybe even through the whole winter!

1. Weatherproof your bike. Sloppy, slushy winter conditions can take a toll on your bike. Snow, sand and salt can corrode chains and cables, so make sure you check them regularly. Installing fenders and washing your bike regularly can help reduce damage, but some experts even recommend using an older, less-valuable bike in the winter to avoid damaging your cherished ride. Make sure you’re using thick, heavy-duty tires appropriate for road conditions and consider studded tires – though not in urban areas where they’re banned.
2. Pay extra attention to safety. Visibility becomes a challenge in winter riding – fewer daylight hours and high snow banks or falling snow can make it harder for people you share the road with to see you. Wear a reflective vest as you ride, and consider installing a set of lights on your bike. Snow build-up on urban roads can encroach on or even completely erase your bike lane. Be especially cautious when interacting with automobile traffic – drivers may not expect to see a cyclist on the road in December!
3. Dress the part. You’ll want to stay warm without losing body heat due to evaporating perspiration. Ideal winter biking clothing includes a bottom layer that wicks away sweat, a warm, insulating middle layer and a weatherproof outer shell. Also be sure to protect your extremities – wear a hat, gloves and foot protection.
4. Warm up. Before going out in the cold, make sure you do a short warm-up to get your muscles ready. Cold temperatures can constrict blood vessels, reducing blood flow.

Keeping your bike on the road in the winter is a great way to have fun and stay fit, and will also make sure you’re prepared for the 2013 MS Bike season.

Registration is now open for the two-day MS Bike – Grand Bend to London at msbiketours.ca. Online registration for the one-day Tours opens December 10.

You can find many more great winter cycling tips in the articles below:

        Bike All Winter: 6 Crucial Tips to Get You Through The Coldest Months
        Embrace the Season: 5 Tips for Winter Cycling
        42 Tips To Help You Ride Your Bike All Winter

Registration for the 2013 MS Bike – Grand Bend to London is now open!

 

 

The day you’ve been waiting for has finally arrived – online registration for the 2013 MS Bike – Grand Bend to London is now open at msbiketours.ca! Join us on July 27 & 28 for this unforgettable two-day Tour – the largest MS Bike event in Canada.

If you’ve already pre-registered you will receive a confirmation email soon, but it’s time for the rest of you to gear up to make a difference in the lives of people affected by MS. Don’t let event day sneak up on you - the earlier you start the more momentum you’ll have by the time the big day arrives.

And be sure to spread the word to your family and friends by sharing our content on Facebook and Twitter. 

Listening to People Affected by MS survey now available

Earlier this month we told you about Listening to People Affected by MS, a new initiative that seeks to better understand the quality of life for those affected by MS. Through a poll, focus groups and a nationwide survey, we want to hear from you – people living with MS, awaiting diagnosis or friends, family and caregivers of people with MS – about the impact of multiple sclerosis on your quality of life.

 

The survey is now available online at mslistening.ca! When you have a few minutes, please take the time to fill out the survey and spread the word to family or friends who are also affected by MS. With your help, we can enrich our understanding and make improved mission-related decisions.

25-25-25 registration discount!

 

Need a little extra motivation to register for the 2013 MS Bike Tour?

Starting on Sunday, November 25, 2012, and continuing for 25 days, your registration fee for the two-day* Grand Bend to London Tour (July 27-28) will be just $25. Take advantage of this record 25-25-25 deal at msbiketours.ca!

*In 2013, Acton will host an exciting one-day Tour. Visit msbiketours.ca for details.

Research and treatment timeline: 30+ years of MS milestones

The recently released fall issue of MS Canada contains a timeline illustrating an amazing thirty years of MS research developments.

“While there is still a long way to go in understanding multiple sclerosis and finding a cure, we are pleased to look back on the important advancements that have been made to broaden our understanding of this complex disease and improve quality of life.”

You can find a detailed version of the timeline at mssociety.ca/researchtimeline.

Consider using the information to expand your MS knowledge and to educate friends, family and potential donors about the importance of your fundraising efforts in the upcoming 2013 MS Bike season.

Thanking our top fundraisers at the Celebration of Champions

 

 

On the evening of November 9, we were joined by many of our top fundraisers from the 2012 MS Walk and 2012 MS Bike Tour at our annual Celebration of Champions dinner, held at Toronto’s Delta Chelsea hotel.

At the dinner we honoured many dedicated teams and individuals who worked tirelessly over the past year to raise money in support of those living with MS.

Thank you very much for your spectacular fundraising efforts. You can view photos from the event on our Flickr page.

Rider Profile: It’s only getting better for Team Captain Keefe Valladares

When Keefe Valladares and his colleagues at Bombardier wanted to help members of their community, they decided to form a team and register for the MS Bike Tour for the first time. “We wanted this to be a team event and an opportunity to get to know one another outside of work,” says Keefe. “We also wanted to support a good cause, and the MS Society was our choice.”

His nine-member team participated in the inaugural MS Bike Tour – Prince Edward County on July 8, 2012.  Together, they raised more than $7000 for people affected by MS through a $1000 gift from their employer, Bombardier Transportation, 50/50 draws, jeans day in their office and reaching out to friends and family.

“What I really stressed to anyone I asked for donations, is that people with MS are not the only ones being affected by this disease; the people around them are impacted as well. By raising funds, we are also supporting their loved ones,” says Keefe.

As a relatively new cyclist, Keefe found the Tour to be a positive experience.  “We were lucky to have had great weather.  Prince Edward County is a short drive away from Kingston, but it was great to get out and see a different area,” says Keefe.  As for the future, he has already lined up cyclists for next year’s Tour, adding, “next year will only get better!”

Are you looking forward to the 2013 MS Bike season? Tell us why on Facebook or Twitter!

Website for young people with a connection to MS

Have you checked out http://someonelikeme.ca/ or http://commemoi.ca/ recently? These websites feature blogs, forum posts and stories from young people (15-35) who live with or have a personal connection to multiple sclerosis.

Check out Loribelle’s recent post on the word “hope,” or Mike’s story of moving forward toward his goals despite obstacles. Questions and comments are always welcome, so join the community!

Get ready…registration opens soon!

Wow, it’s November already! Where did October go? Here at the MS Society we spent the month preparing for the 2013 MS Bike season, and are excited to announce that online registration will open November 15 on msbiketours.ca.

By mid-November our website will be updated with details about the six events in Ontario. If you haven’t already, it’s time to start thinking about recruiting your team, choosing your team name and organizing creative fundraisers. For team tips, visit teamms.ca.

We’re excited about what will be another great MS Bike season, and we hope you are too! Spread the word to family and friends through our Facebook and Twitter pages, and stay tuned for more updates and tips.

We want to hear from you.

Here’s a new initiative that might be of interest to many of our readers.

From the newest edition of the MS Ontario newsletter:

Listening to People Affected by MS is a new initiative that seeks to better understand the quality of life for those affected by MS. Through a poll, focus groups and a nationwide survey, we want to hear from you – people living with MS, awaiting diagnosis or friends, family and caregivers of people with MS – about the impact of multiple sclerosis on your quality of life.

 

What are your priorities and needs in order to live well with MS? What are the barriers that prevent you from  living a full life? What supports are most helpful, and what are your biggest worries? With your help, we can enrich our understanding and make improved mission-related decisions.

Visit mslistening.ca for more information and an FAQ. We look forward to hearing from you!