Multiple Sclerosis Association Marks 35 Years of Service

The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA), based in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, celebrated its 35th anniversary May 19 at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

During the gala, MSAA honored Jack Burks, MD, for his dedicated service to MSAA and the MS community. The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America also honored MSAA volunteers who go above and beyond the call of duty.

Founded on June 6, 1970, MSAA has been a part of the MS community for three-and-a-half decades. Today, MSAA offers a wealth of programs and services which include: MSAA's extended-hour and bilingual toll-free Helpline (800.532.7667); extensive information and support available through a series of publications, MSAA's newly redesigned website, and an extensive lending library. Other services include an equipment distribution and loan program; a program offering cooling garments to assist with symptom relief; financial and advocacy assistance for diagnostic and follow-up MRI scans; home modifications for increased accessibility and safety; regional support groups; events; and a national networking program. These programs are free and focus on MSAA's mission of easing the day-to-day challenges of individuals with MS and their care partners. All 50 states have a region dedicated to providing various programs and services to clients.

As a part of the 35th anniversary celebration, MSAA will be honoring Burks, who joined MSAA earlier in the decade and currently serves as vice president and chief medical officer. Burks oversees all medical information written and distributed by MSAA and writes a column for MSAA's magazine, The Motivator. Burks was instrumental in MSAA forming the Healthcare Advisory Council, which comprises healthcare professionals from several disciplines. This is a group dedicated to addressing MSAA's work as it relates to the different areas of medical treatments, information, and the development of an optimal overall healthcare plan.

In addition to his role at MSAA, Burks is a clinical professor of medicine in neurology at the University of Nevada School of Medicine in Reno and a member of the Medical Advisory Board of the National MS Society. He has edited two textbooks on MS, and in the 1970s, he established the Rocky Mountain MS Center in Colorado, one of the nation's first comprehensive MS centers.

MSAA will also be honoring volunteers from each of its regions during the 35th Anniversary Gala. These volunteers are MSAA clients, and they have been an inspiration to the many individuals they help, MSAA said. They are: Shirley Spencer, Northeast Region; Betty Halley, Midwest Region; Vicky Stanfield, Southeast Region; Judy Baker, South-Central Region; and Char Kaber, Northwest Region.

The 35th Anniversary Gala is being partially funded by these corporate sponsors: Teva Neuroscience; Berlex; The Heritage Company; Serono Inc./Pfizer Inc.; The Wheelchair Man Company; Direct Mail Processors; Raffa & Associates P.C.; TeleResponse Center Inc.; EU Services; and Creative Direct Response.

Multiple Sclerosis Association Marks 35 Years of Service

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Multiple Sclerosis Association Marks 35 Years of Service

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