MS Challenge Talk - Stories of living with multiple sclerosis & fundraising for a cure on Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Didn’t attend the Jumpstart Your Fundraising meeting on January 26? Not a problem! We recorded the best advice, inspiration, and success stories for how you can fundraise toward a cure for multiple sclerosis.

In this audio recording, you’ll hear from Sue McCook about how to recruit restaurants and bars to your fundraising efforts; Ann Scannell about her team’s fundraising efforts; and Steve Urquhart about corporate donations and company matching.

Stay tuned for more episodes of MS Challenge Talk!

Didn’t attend the Jumpstart Your Fundraising meeting on January 26? Not a problem! We recorded the best advice, inspiration, and success stories for how you can fundraise toward a cure for multiple sclerosis.

In this audio recording, you’ll hear from Michael Derick about why he does the walk and how to recruit for your team; Ken Gagne on how to expand your fundraising network; and Donn Hockman on how to host sustainable fundraising events.

Stay tuned next week for more excerpts from this MS Challenge Walk brainstorming session!

Welcome to MS Challenge Talk, a weekly audio recording that introduces you to the people and stories behind MS Challenge Walk.

This week, host Ken Gagne speaks with walkers and crew who participated in their first-ever MS Challenge Walk in 2012 about what brought them to the cause, how they trained for the undertaking, and their experiences on the trail. Those who spoke to Ken en route to the finish line include Rebecca Urquhart, Ashley Doyle, Trevor Fairbaugh, Rose Milefsky, Jodi Dwyer, Anne Marie Rogers, Colleen Fitzpatrick, Tigger, Sarah Matera, and Emily Flanders.

Welcome to MS Challenge Talk, a weekly audio recording that introduces you to the people and stories behind MS Challenge Walk.

This week, host Ken Gagne speaks with Carolyn Rossi, captain of Walk With Wheels. When Carolyn was diagnosed with MS thirteen years ago, her friends wanted to do something to help. But how could she let them do something she wasn’t willing to do herself? She signed up for MS Challenge Walk — and has been tackling it from her red wheelchair every year since. The only help she accepts is knowing her husband is on bicycle crew and her son Ethan is cheering her on; with that support, she tackles every hill herself, refusing to lie down on the job, determined to see a day when there is no more need for this event.

This is the final episode of MS Challenge Talk. Thank you to all our guests and listeners for having been a part of this wonderful series of interviews!

Welcome to MS Challenge Talk, a weekly audio recording that introduces you to the people and stories behind MS Challenge Walk.

This week, host Ken Gagne speaks with Sara Bromley, captain of Sara’s Steele. Sara participated in her first MS Challenge Walk in 2011. Despite being an employee of the National MS Society’s Connecticut chapter, she tackled the event with the same training and fundraising requirements as any walker. In this interview, hear her speak from the three perspectives of a patient with MS, a walker, and an NMSS employee.

Welcome to MS Challenge Talk, a weekly audio recording that introduces you to the people and stories behind MS Challenge Walk.

This week, host Ken Gagne speaks with Debra Flanagan of Jerry’s Jems. Deb walks every year in honor of her father, who has lived with MS since before Deb can remember. In this interview, she talks about what is "normal" for a family with MS, what she gets from her NMSS family and on Facebook that she can’t find anywhere else, and why Jerry’s Jems doesn’t feel competitive with other teams — because we’re all on the same team: “The ultimate goal is getting rid of MS. Getting a cure. Getting it gone — donezo — complete — put with the dinosaurs — seeya later.”

Also this week, hear from Brenda Barbour, the NMSS Greater New England Chapter’s Associate Vice President of Volunteer Development, in an excerpt from last week’s crew meeting as she prepares her volunteers for an amazing event.

Welcome to MS Challenge Talk, a weekly audio recording that introduces you to the people and stories behind MS Challenge Walk.

This week, host Ken Gagne speaks with Judy Lecesse of Cocktails for a Cure. Having previously served on the crew as a member of the “lunch bunch”, Judy is making MS Challenge Walk 2012 the first time she’ll join her team’s walkers in strolling 50 miles across Cape Cod. How does she go from no required fundraising to $1,500 minimum? By selling jewelry! Listen to her sales pitch and the interactions she has with her family-based team in this interview.

Also check out the travel & information guide for details about the walk weekend and its logistics!

Welcome to MS Challenge Talk, a weekly audio recording that introduces you to the people and stories behind MS Challenge Walk.

This week, host Ken Gagne speaks with Jodi Dwyer, captain of The Bean Team. When Jodi was diagnosed with MS just a few years ago, she immediately became an activist, walking the one-day Boston walk and becoming a crew captain at the MS Challenge Walk, where she organized events under the Big Top Tent. This year will mark her first as a walker. In this interview, Jodi discusses why she wasted no time in becoming involved in the NMSS, and how she and her team are transitioning from six miles to fifty.

Remember to submit your mandatory online housing form, which is due today!

Welcome to MS Challenge Talk, a weekly audio recording that introduces you to the people and stories behind MS Challenge Walk.

This week, host Ken Gagne speaks with Kim Tynan, captain of Gordon’s Team, and her husband Tim. When Kim’s brother was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, the family rallied by signing up for the first MS Challenge Walk in 2002. The intervening decade has seen the team and family grow in ways they never expected, with the spirit of the event becoming a part of their lives throughout the year. Learn why the Tynans look forward to being a part of the MS Challenge Walk family every September in this interview.

Welcome to MS Challenge Talk, a weekly audio recording that introduces you to the people and stories behind MS Challenge Walk.

This week, host Ken Gagne speaks with John Keefe, known to many as "The General". With his military garb and drill sergeant-like demeanor, The General (or sometimes "Sarge") has been rallying the troops of MS Challenge Walk for more than a decade. In this interview, John commends walkers for not resting on the sidelines and instead doing something to find a cure for his bride’s MS, and reflects on the heroes who have inspired him along the trail and the unique challenges that caretakers experience.