What a weekend! We saw many familiar faces this year at the Fifth Third River Bank Run and met some new friends as well. The team pulled together and ran a great race with several picking up personal records! The rain held off and the temperature stayed cool, creating the perfect backdrop for our participants. Plus, our small but dedicated team raised $2,000 for the fight against multiple sclerosis… and we’re still counting! Well done and congratulations to all!
It’s events such as these that continue to be the driving force of change for those living with multiple sclerosis every day. In March, the FDA approved the tenth disease-modifying treatment for relapsing MS, a twice a day oral medication named Tecfidera. This first-line defense therapy showed huge promise in clinical trials with significant reductions in MS relapses, disease activity in MRI scans, and disease progression. Also this year, researchers and clinicians from around the globe gathered together to discuss key challenges and strategies relating to progressive forms of multiple sclerosis. This International Progressive MS Collaborative was formed by the U.S. National Multiple Sclerosis Society and its counterparts in Canada, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. The goal of the two-day summit was to identify priorities and formulate a road map for battling Progressive MS. This is exciting news and our runners’ hard work and dedication makes these strides forward possible!
Overall, we continue to be humbled and thrilled to be part of a larger group of incredible charities all working together to make positive change in West Michigan and beyond. The Alzheimer’s Association, Make-A-Wish, the American Cancer Society, Paws for a Cause, Home Repair Services, the United Way, Rays of Hope International… what an incredible group of passionate individuals! We look forward to an even deeper collaboration in 2014 as we return to our third year as a charity partner for the 37th annual River Bank Run. A round of applause for our participants, donors, sponsors, supporters, and (of course) Fifth Third Bank… we can’t do what we do without you!
Until next year…
