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Join us in saying a fond farewell to MSA Coalition Board Treasurer, Carol Langer. As her ten-year tenure on our board of directors comes to a close this year, we want to reflect on all she has done for our organization and the MSA community.

Carol with her husband Rob, who was diagnosed with MSA in 1998

An active member of this community for over twenty years, Carol joined The MSA Coalition board in 2013 bringing her executive level leadership skills and accounting background to the role of Treasurer. Professionally, Carol trained as a CPA who first worked in public accounting and later rose to become a senior financial executive for technology companies until she retired in 2000 to care for her husband Rob who was diagnosed with multiple system atrophy in 1998.

Upon her appointment as Treasurer, Carol went to work immediately to implement improvements to the MSA Coalition’s accounting procedures and remained laser focused on ensuring financial stability and transparency of the organization. Carol prepared annual budgets and kept a close eye on expenses while supporting the steady expansion of the MSA Coalition’s programs in support, education, research and advocacy.

As our organization adopted online fundraising, Carol made sure we were properly registered in all required states. Under her direction, annual external audits were arranged, further strengthening the MSA Coalition’s reputation for sound financial management. Indeed, her attention to detail and firm commitment to transparency have helped the Coalition earn the highest recognition for excellence from charity watchdog organizations, most notably being a Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator.

Carol’s remarkable ability to manage our financial affairs helped with the steady growth of the MSA Coalition. When the time came for us to move to the next level of hiring resources to carry out day-to-day operations that were being handled by a few volunteers, Carol worked hard to find the best alternatives to professionally staff the organization. Her efforts led us to contract this work to a management company, which helps ensure our organization will remain sustainable for many years to come and be able to deliver the kind of excellence our MSA community deserves.

“As Carol concludes her role as Treasurer for the MSA Coalition, I extend my sincere appreciation for all she has done,” shares Cyndi Roemer, Chair of The MSA Coalition. “Her commitment to this organization and the community has surpassed her role as treasurer. During her time on the Board, Carol has actively contributed to the growth of the organization through our important work on policy development, her financial guidance, and her service on many committees including strategic planning, research, and support services. But even more notably, Carol has shared her knowledge and experience as a care partner to support others as their loved ones battle MSA. She has presented at conferences, facilitated support groups, interacted on social media, and connected with the community significantly to provide the support so desperately needed when living with a rare disease. She was always ready to help and though she is leaving her role on the Board, I know she will stay connected and committed to this community. Many thanks to Carol, for her time, passion, and commitment.”

Carol represented the MSA Coalition at many scientific conferences including the Global MSA Roadmap Meeting, American Academy of Neurology, American Autonomic Society and International MSA Congress. She was also invited to represent the MSA Coalition as a member of the Neurogenic Orthostatic Hypotension Advocacy Working Group where she served for several years. At our annual conference, Carol often led the care partner breakout sessions and her presentation known as “It Takes a Village” was so popular that she was asked to repeat it several times as well as to record it for future viewers.

Carol at the American Academy of Neurology Congress 2017 – with Dr. Jerome Lisk

Carol at the American Autonomic Society Congress 2019 – presenting the Don Summers Memorial Travel Award

Carol at the Neurogenic Orthostatic Hypotension (NOH) Advocates Working Group Meeting 2018

 

Carol appearing on the WWLP TV show “Mass Appeal” in 2016 along with MSA patient Pam Maheu.

Pam Bower, Vice Chair of the Coalition reflects on meeting Carol for the first time many years ago. “Carol was actually a member of the MSA community for many years prior to her board service. I first got to know Carol when she joined an online support group for MSA not long after her husband Rob was diagnosed in 1998. As a member of that group, Carol took a great interest in helping MSA patients and their care partners find needed resources and support. She started an in-person support group in Boston and facilitated a monthly care partner webinar for over 10 years. She also gave interviews to local TV networks to raise awareness of the disease. Many times, Carol was there alongside MSA families to personally accompany them at doctor’s appointments to help explain the disease. I greatly admire Carol for her leadership skills and strong work ethic but most of all for her deep compassion for others. I will certainly miss working alongside her on the board but our friendship will continue for a lifetime”.

Carol lives in Boston with her beloved cat Keiko and spends her summers enjoying the beach and entertaining family and friends at her home on Nantucket. She is an avid fan of live theater and serves as a trustee of the Huntington Theatre Company. She also serves as Chair of the Neuroscience Advisory Committee for Beth Isreal Deaconess Medical Center. Carol has an A.B. from Boston University in English Language and Literature and an M.S. from Northeastern University in Accounting.

Our organization owes Carol a huge debt of gratitude that we will continue to pay by dedicating our work to bettering the lives of MSA patients and their families and building hope for the future. Carol, we cannot express our thanks to you enough for all you have done for the MSA community. We wish you all the best in this next phase of your life.

A Brief Message from Carol Langer:

I will be leaving the board of directors at the end of December after 10 years of service. As I reflect on my time with the MSA Coalition, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to give back to the amazing community that helped my late husband Rob and me navigate our journey with MSA. I am honored to have worked with a dedicated team that has accomplished so much, from funding over $3 million in research to holding successful patient and care partner conferences that educate, provide emotional support, and help build community. In my role as treasurer, I am also proud that we have built a financially stable organization that will carry our mission forward in the coming years and help the MSA Coalition accomplish even more.


Watch the presentation “IT TAKES A VILLAGE”: A description of Carol’s personal journey through multiple system atrophy with her husband, and how they built their care team and includes guidance on interaction with friends, family and professionals and links to many different helpful resources.

Honor Carol With A Donation to Her MSA Coalition Facebook Fundraiser

Or Donate With A Check by Mail:

The MSA Coalition
7918 Jones Branch Drive, Suite 300
McLean, VA 22102