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A Charity Footprints powered Global Virtual Walkathon is Underway to Raise Money and Awareness for Multiple System Atrophy (MSA)

A Charity Footprints powered Global Virtual Walkathon is Underway to Raise Money and Awareness for Multiple System Atrophy (MSA)

The MSA Coalition has embarked on a partnership with Charity Footprints Inc. and other MSA charities to recruit a team of 250 walkers and fundraisers for its Global MSA Walkathon. The goal of this virtual charity walk is to cover 52,000 miles and raise $250,000 between March 15, 2019 which is during MSA Awareness Month and October 3, 2019, which is World MSA Day. Team members track their steps via a wearable fitness tracker or a smartphone app while walking locally at a time and place of their choosing.

CHARLOTTE, NC – The Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) Coalition today announced that a multi-charity collaborative effort is now in progress to recruit at least 250 walkers around the world. Using an innovative Virtual Racing platform from Charity Footprints Inc., the team of walkers track their daily steps via a wearable fitness tracker or a smartphone app. In real time, participant steps are being tracked on the Global MSA Walkathon Map. The goal is to walk 52,000 miles around the world while raising $250,000 by World MSA Day, 2019. Along the way, the team will virtually visit important MSA research centers, treatment centers, and other MSA charities. The walk will begin on March 15, 2019 to commemorate MSA Awareness Month. Walkers can begin signing up for the virtual event on March 15, 2019.

“The walkathon is viewed as a critically important event for bringing MSA charities together on a global awareness initiative. As a rare disease, the best way to build awareness for the plight of those affected by it, is to activate the MSA community as a whole into a unified event,” stated Don Crouse, Vice Chairman of the MSA Coalition. “In partnership with Charity Footprints and other MSA charities we are able to create one strong voice to inform the world about Multiple System Atrophy. At the same time, we are hoping to recruit new advocates and fundraisers so that we may be able to increase our impact on improving the quality of life for those affected by MSA. Our goal is to continue building hope that someday disease altering treatments and a cure are found.”

The following MSA charities are collaborating in this Global MSA Walkathon: MSA Trust (UK), MSA-AMS (Belgium), MSA NJ (USA), Cure MSA (USA), the Rex Griswold Foundation (USA), Blandford-Rees Foundation (USA), and Move Over MSA (USA).

“AMS-MSA Belgium is looking forward to the Global MSA Walkathon virtually visiting us. The walkathon is an important awareness initiative as we continue to fight multiple system atrophy,” said Ritje Schouppe-Moons, Chief Executive of the AMS-MSA Belgium, organizer of the yearly’JiePie Award for MSA Research’ and Spokesperson for World MSA Day, observed on October 3rd. “Collectively we count miles/kms walked and attempt to circle the globe. All to symbolize our unity in the fight against MSA. We continue to be committed to working collaboratively with our MSA colleagues on important initiatives that lead to the advancement of knowledge around understanding MSA and supporting those living with MSA, their families, and care partners. We very much appreciate the collaborative team-building efforts of the MSA Coalition in this regard.”

“MSA NJ is very excited to be a part of this amazing team of MSA stakeholders. The fundraising and awareness generated for multiple system atrophy will certainly help the cause.” said Kymberli Roemer, Chairperson of MSA NJ. “The MSA Coalition has been a leader in facilitating collaboration among MSA charities. The Global MSA Walkathon is is an excellent example and we hope it becomes an annual event that truly makes a difference. We are proud to be a part of the team and hope to see New Jersey well represented among the walkers and fundraisers.”

The Global MSA Walkathon is being powered by Charity Footprints, an innovative platform designed to promote fitness and encourage charitable giving. Because MSA is so rare it is very difficult to organize in-person charity walks and other live fundraising events. We are confident that this virtual event will motivate people to become MSA advocates and fundraisers, and will provide a jolt of energy to new volunteer recruitment. A key feature of the platform is that it allows people to gift registrations to other family members, friends and colleagues – through a Pay-It-Forward integration. MSA strikes in the mid-part of life with a typical onset age of 45-65 years. As such, the MSA Global Walkathon offers an opportunity for younger generations to fundraise in honor or memory of a loved one with MSA.

“Charity Footprints is thrilled to be the official technology partner of the Global MSA Walkathon,” said Rahul Razdan, the Chief Executive Officer of Charity Footprints Inc. “It is extremely rewarding to see our platform being used by an ultra rare disease community to build awareness and collaboration on a global scale. Multiple System Atrophy Coalition is our first non-profit partner to undertake a walk around the world and we wish them nothing but success. We will be cheering loudly as they near their fitness and fundraising goals!”

A successful Global MSA Walkathon will allow the MSA Coalition to increase its funding for worldwide initiatives to better understand and treat Multiple System Atrophy. Over the past 4 years, it has awarded $1.6 million to fund 36 research grants from around the world aimed at identifying diagnostic biomarkers and potential treatments. The Coalition has been the primary sponsor of multiple International MSA Congresses, the American Autonomic Society Congress, and the European Federation of Autonomic Societies Congress, and has awarded travel grants to many young MSA investigators. The MSA Coalition is currently developing a new research program to better target its funding efforts towards meaningful progress in improving diagnosis and treatment options.

“We are extremely excited to embark on this unifying walk around the world. The MSA Coalition prides itself on our strong track record of working collaboratively with MSA charities, researchers, autonomic centers of excellence, and corporations. Since hosting the 1st Global MSA Advocacy meeting last year, we are eager to maintain momentum on joint activities for the MSA cause. Our walk will highlight our collaborations as we “virtually” visit each partner in the fight against MSA,” said Dr. Cyndi Roemer, Chair of the MSA Coalition. “Another very exciting aspect of the Global MSA Walk-a-thon is its potential appeal to multi-generational participants. One of our hopes is to see the parents, siblings, children and grandchildren of multiple system atrophy patients walking and fundraising for the MSA community. Together, we can make progress as we enhance quality of life, while building hope for those living with MSA.”

Join the Global MSA Walkathon or support it with a donation! The Global MSA Walkathon is also seeking corporate sponsors and has several sponsorship packages available.

12 Days 12 Ways

12 Days 12 Ways

12 More Days until the end of our Holiday Hope Campaign! Here are 12 Ways to Give to The Multiple System Atrophy Coalition this Holiday Season!

With the end of our Holiday Hope for MSA Campaign fast approaching, the MSA Coalition is within striking range of raising over $1 million overall in fiscal year 2018. The $1 million mark is very important to achieve as it will enable us to be officially monitored by Charity Navigator and will open up more opportunities to receive grants from other private and government organizations.

Below are 12 ways you can help the MSA Coalition achieve this major financial milestone which will allow us to better pursue our mission of improving quality of life while building hope for those living with MSA.

1. Donate on CROWDRISE! Remember All Crowdrise Donations will be MATCHED! https://www.crowdrise.com/holiday-hope-4-msa

Go a step further and Join the Team to Create your own Crowdrise Awareness and Fundraising Page! EMAIL the link to all your friends and ask for their support. Easily track who gives to your page and followup with thanks.

2. Donate on FACEBOOK! https://www.fb.com/fund/MultipleSystemAtrophyCoalition

Go a step further and Start your own Facebook Fundraiser! Click the blue INVITE button individually for everyone in your Facebook friends list and SHARE, SHARE, SHARE!

3. Donate on the MSA Coalition’s WEBSITE! Add a tribute to a loved one, designate your gift to research, education or where the need is greatest: https://www.multiplesystematrophy.org/donate-now

4. Donate with a CHECK or MONEY ORDER! Make it payable to: MSA Coalition, 7918 Jones Branch Drive, Suite 300, McLean, VA 22102

5. Donate to the MSA Coalition PAYPAL GIVING FUND! PayPal will add 1% to your gift and there are no fees! https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/74271

6. Donate via the COMBINED FEDERAL CAMPAIGN! Federal employees and retirees, please note our CFC number is 42606.

7. Donate STOCK or Donate by BANK WIRE TRANSFER! Just email our treasurer for assistance with these options. clanger@msacoalition.org or phone 866-737-4999

8. Arrange Now to LEAVE A LEGACY! Remember the MSA Coalition in your will: https://www.multiplesystematrophy.org/fundraising/planned-giving

9. Donate your USED CAR! https://www.multiplesystematrophy.org/fundraising/car-donation/

10. Send a HOLIDAY GREETING CARD!

https://www.justgiving.com/givecards/charity/us/2069234

11. Send or Post a PURPLE HEART in tribute to your loved one at the MSA Coalition Wall of Love. https://www.givinggrid.com/ajketo/

12. Post a PHOTO of your loved one at the MSA Coalition Angels and Warriors Page. https://www.givinggrid.com/tmxovc/

10 Evaluation Criteria for Selecting a Nonprofit to Support

10 Evaluation Criteria for Selecting a Nonprofit to Support

Are you looking to evaluate which multiple system atrophy (MSA) nonprofit to support with your donation or fundraiser? Even for such a rare disease, you do have choices. Our goal with this blog post is not to instruct you to donate to the MSA Coalition. Rather, we are going to answer the 10 evaluation criteria suggested by the American Endowment Foundation. We encourage you to contact us if you have any questions. We also encourage you to ask these same questions of any other MSA nonprofits you are evaluating. By understanding each MSA charity’s mission, goals, governance, programs, and accomplishments, you can best put your MSA designated funds to work in a manner that suits your desires.

Ten Criteria for Evaluating MSA Nonprofits

1. Look at the charity’s mission and determine if this is important to the donor.

The Multiple System Atrophy Coalition is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization founded in 1989. It has a 30-year history of devotion to improving the quality of life and building hope for people affected by MSA. The MSA Coalition developed its four-pillar mission in 2011:

  • Providing patients and caregivers with trusted and compassionate emotional support.
  • Educating patients, care-partners and healthcare professionals with credible, critically important, and relevant information.
  • Funding patient-centric collaborative research aimed at alleviating symptoms, slowing disease progression, and discovering a cure.
  • Building a sense of community by connecting and unifying people affected by MSA.

2. Look at the outcomes. For instance, how many people has the organization helped, and has that increased or decreased over time? Given the size and budget, is that number reasonable?

Due to the nature of rare disease it is difficult to pinpoint how many people the MSA Coalition has helped. The MSA Coalition has more than 20,000 followers on Facebook and 10,000 e-newsletter subscribers. Additionally, more than 20,000 people visit the MSA Coalition website each month. Of great importance, the MSA Coalition hosts an annual patient and care partner conference, educating families about MSA and providing an opportunity to connect with others living with this disease. More than 230 people attended the 2019 conference in person and and over 3,000 people have watched the virtual educational videos from that conference. In fact, the MSA Coalition has been live streaming its conference since 2013 with thousands of online viewers each year. A big part of our mission is providing a trusted sense of community for those affected by MSA. We believe our programs are effectively reaching the MSA community.

Another major part of our budget is multiple system atrophy research funding. Over the past few years, the MSA Coalition has Dr, Gregor Wenning's Multiple System Atrophy Research Labpartnered with the National Institutes of Health to fund the Global MSA Registry (GLOMSAR). GLOMSAR collects data for a natural history study and enables patients to be readily available for upcoming MSA clinical trials. Additionally, the MSA Coalition Research Grant Program has funded 40 research grants to date. There are 20 published peer-reviewed articles that have arisen from our research grants so far and many have been presented at scientific conferences. While it is too early to measure, the hope is that these and future funded studies will begin to positively impact the medical outcomes of those with MSA.

3. Review the financial information. Is it transparent and recent? Are the expenses in line with the budget? Has the budget increased or decreased in recent years? If applicable, how has the organization adjusted to a decrease in government funding? Look through the current Tax Form 990 and also verify its tax-exempt status.

The MSA Coalition publishes all of its annual Tax Form 990s. We encourage all interested supporters to carefully review these documents and to contact our treasurer, Carol Langer, with any questions.

While the MSA Coalition has not been directly impacted by reductions in government funding, rare diseases including MSA cannot count on the government to sufficiently fund much-needed research. As such, grassroots fundraising is a critical component to ensuring that MSA research continues to be funded. Since 2013, the MSA Coalition has funded 40 research grants totaling more than $2 million at 29 renowned MSA research institutions around the world. Additionally, in 2019, the MSA Coalition launched a parallel research grant program focused on larger grants that foster international research collaboration targeting genetic and environmental causes of MSA, biomarkers for earlier diagnosis, and treatments.

A sustainable and increasing revenue stream will ensure that the MSA Coalition can continue to fund important research as recommended by its Scientific Advisory Board.

Verify the MSA Coalition’s tax-exempt status. Please use our Tax ID number, 74-2926378 to search.”

 

4. Talk or meet with the organization’s leadership if the donation is significant enough. Has there been much turnover of key staff members? How can the donation be best utilized? Who will be the primary contact person for the donor?

We encourage any donor to call and ask questions about The MSA Coalition. The all-volunteer board of the MSA Coalition has had very low turnover. We encourage donors to earmark donations “as needed,” however donors can also restrict funds to “research” or “education.” Please call the MSA Coalition at (866) 737-4999 to be connected with the right volunteer to discuss your questions.

5. Identify who is on the Board of Directors. Are there many or few board members? Are they business or community leaders? Especially if a donor is considering joining a board, she or he should meet with some board members.

The MSA Coalition Board of Directors is 13 members strong. Most board members have a strong personal tie to multiple system atrophy, having lost a loved-one to the disorder. The MSA Coalition also has an active MSA patient representative as well as a MSA caregiver representative on the Board. There are board members with medical and doctoral degrees, IT, business and financial backgrounds, educators, business executives, and journalists.

6. Evaluate the main supporters. Are there many funders or few? Have key funders been involved for some time? Does the donor know any supporters?

While the MSA Coalition receives the majority of our revenue from grass-roots fundraising within the MSA community, it does have large donors and several corporate sponsors. As an example of our large fundraising base, in 2017 over 1,800 donors participated in our year-end giving campaign on CrowdRise. The MSA Coalition has received grants from Lundbeck USA to support the past several annual MSA Coalition Patient & Family Conferences. Other grants have been received from Biohaven, Biogen and AstraZeneca. These organizations and individuals also have provided funds to support the MSA Coalition Research Grant Program: MSA Trust, Cure PSP, MSA NJ, Move Over MSA, the Rex Griswold Foundation, Patrick Costigan, and the Blandford-Rees Foundation.

7. Discuss with the leadership how the donor can be most helpful in addition to financial contributions.

The board members of the MSA Coalition will be happy to discuss your interest in volunteering your time. Please visit our Contact Us page and visit our Board of Directors page to learn more about each volunteer board member.

8. Visit the organization if possible or volunteer to really get to know the people and quality of the work.

As a virtual organization run by volunteers, the MSA Coalition does not currently have offices you can visit. However, an excellent opportunity to volunteer and meet our Board of Directors is at our annual Patient & Family Conference. This conference is the world’s largest get-together of MSA patients, their families, volunteers, other MSA charities, companies, healthcare professionals, and MSA researchers. It is an excellent place to evaluate and see first-hand the work being done.

To get a sense of our annual conference format, view our recorded MSA annual conference sessions, which were also live streamed. Of course, our board members are always just a call or email away if you want to communicate with us!

9. Determine that the organization has a very good reputation.

Our long-standing, highest-level ratings with GuideStar, and Great Nonprofits help validate our reputation as a trusted and credible MSA nonprofit. Additionally, begining in 2029, the MSA Coalition received a perfect rating from CharityNavigator, one of the most trusted charity watchdogs in the industry and is the only MSA charity to be covered by them. More importantly, our credible patient/care partner support services and regular educational programming provide those affected by MSA with an important sense of community and the tools to better advocate for their health.

The MSA Coalition’s renowned Scientific Advisory Board and MSA Research Grant Program continuously receive praise from the research community and scientific conferences for the work we are doing. At the American Autonomic Society Scientific Sessions, presenters continue to acknowledged the MSA Coalition for funding that is leading to important breakthroughs. Dr. David Robertson has praised our research grant application and review process as being as sound as that of NIH.

As a testimony to our reputation, the MSA Coalition is the only multiple system atrophy charity to have invited representatives on the Coalition of Patient Advocacy Groups (CPAG) and Rare Disease Clinical Research Network – Autonomic Disorders Consortium (RDCRN-ADC) at the NIH. This important alliance has successfully secured governmental research grants for MSA, including funding for the Global MSA Registry (GLOMSAR).

The MSA Coalition’s research funding is acknowledged in many published scientific peer-reviewed articles. We have sponsored travel grants for more than 30 young investigators who’ve presented their MSA work at prestigious scientific conferences such as the International Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorder Society Congress, the American Autonomic Society Congress, the International Congress on Multiple System Atrophy, and the Society for Neuroscience. Additionally, the MSA Coalition has more than 800 researchers and healthcare professionals who have opted into our research and healthcare provider database to stay abreast of opportunities to apply for research grants and young investigator travel awards.

The MSA Coalition works collaboratively with other MSA and related organizations. In 2018, we organized and hosted the 1st Global MSA Global Advocacy Meeting Hosted by MSA Coalition March 2018MSA Advocacy Meeting, bringing together MSA organization leaders from around the nation and the world and established the Global MSA Advocacy Consortium. The meeting, led by Cyndi Roemer, Chair of the MSA Coalition, featured lecturers by the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) on how to build a consortium and by the Michael J. Fox Foundation on their research grant program. The following nonprofits and foundations were invited attendees: MSA Trust (UK), MSA-AMS (Belgium), MSA NJ, Defeat MSA, the MSA Shoe, Cure MSA, the Rex Griswold Foundation, Blandford-Rees Foundation, Move Over MSA, the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, CurePSP, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, and NORD.

The MSA Coalition also encourages all charities, foundations, and large individual donors to partner with the MSA Coalition’s Research Grant Program. This partnership helps ensure synergy with limited research monies and access to expert scored research grant applications. The following groups and individuals have contributed substantially to past MSA Coalition grant programs: MSA Trust, Cure PSP, MSA NJ, Move Over MSA, the Rex Griswold Foundation, Patrick Costigan, and the Blandford-Rees Foundation.

10. Feel confident that contributions and efforts will be appreciated and utilized effectively and efficiently.

The MSA Coalition is overseen by a dedicated all-volunteer Board of Directors. Begining in June of 2020 the MSA Coalition enered a partnership with MCI USA to provide full time staff to the MSA Coalition. The MSA Coalition has always sent acknowledgements to donors and recognized fundraisers in its monthly newsletter and social media. Now with full time staff, including an executive director, the charity is striving to improve outreach to its constituents.

The MSA Coalition places a great deal of pride and emphasis on transparent governance and financial reporting. In addition to our audited financial reports mentioned above our Board of Directors sign ethics and conflict-of-interest statements each year. Through our 13-member independent Board of Directors, our Scientific Advisory Board, and our new Medical Advisory Board, we follow a system of checks and balances to ensure no one person has undue influence over important decisions. Additionally, our newly formed General Advisory Council involves experts and volunteers in a variety of professions to assist with our work to ensure we are doing the best job possible in building and implementing our programs.

As you evaluate the MSA Coalition, you will see low operating costs and a track record of funding meaningful programs designed to enhance quality of life, while collaboratively building hope for those living with multiple system atrophy.

Giving Tuesday – A Critical Day for Multiple System Atrophy Research

Giving Tuesday – A Critical Day for Multiple System Atrophy Research

If you want to have the biggest impact possible in the quest to find better diagnostic tools, treatments and hopefully a cure for multiple system atrophy #GivingTuesday (November 28, 2017) is the most important day of the year!

100% of every dollar raised, matched, and won on #GivingTuesday will go directly into the MSA Coalition Research Grant Program! If you help us fundraise the total could reach $200,000 or more!

Don’t stay on the sidelines during this critical day!

Read on to learn more….

History of Giving Tuesday

#GivingTuesday has been celebrated each year since 2012, on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving (in the U.S.). It symbolizes the start of the Holiday giving season, which for most charities represents the time of the year when the biggest portion of their donations are received. The MSA Coalition has participated each year through its partnership with the CrowdRise Holiday Challenge. Last year the MSA Coalition raised more than 10% of its total revenue for the year on #GivingTuesday.

The CrowdRise Holiday Challenge, A Great Event For MSA

This year’s CrowdRise Holiday Challenge runs from November 21 – January 3, 2018. It is being

The Multiple System Atrophy Coalition's 2017 Holiday Hope for a Cure fundraiser on Crowdrise

Join The MSA COalition’s 2017 Holiday Hope For A Cure Team

sponsored by the Newman’s Own Foundation and is offering $500,000 in prize money to the top charities. The winner of the 6-week challenge will receive $150,000 and the top 10 causes will receive prize money. There are also bonus prizes throughout the Challenge with another $100,000 being distributed. Plus, there are separate prizes for #GivingTuesday totaling another $100,000. The top 3 causes will receive grand prizes.

Who wants to see a significant portion of these awards coming into the MSA Coalition for research, education and awareness initiatives?

If you are saying “Me! Me! Me!” read on…

Why the MSA Coalition Needs You on Giving Tuesday

We all know multiple system atrophy is a very rare and little known disease. Because of this it is very difficult to motivate outsiders to give to the MSA cause, let alone to fundraise. Grass roots, at least for now, is our single most effective way to raise money. That means, we need YOU to participate.

Last year (2016), the MSA Coalition had 100 families actively participate in the CrowdRise Holiday Challenge. On Giving Tuesday we raised just over $90,000, which was good enough for third place for the day. Unfortunately, two other charities did better and the Coalition did not win any of the prize money for the day. On the bright side, The MSA Coalition maintained its third place status throughout the CrowdRise Holiday Challenge and in the end secured the Third Place prize of $25,000 which was added on to the Challenge total of over $300,000 raised for MSA.

That’s right, with just 100 families participating the MSA Coalition raised over $300,000 dollars in 6 weeks and added another $25,000 in prize money to that total. Imagine what we could do if 200 families participated! What about 300, 400 or even 500! This is why we need you!

1: Sign Up to Help Us Raise and Win Money This Holiday Season

Joining our team is easy and will only take a few minutes

MSA Coalition 2017 Holiday Hope For A Cure Team Members

2017 Holiday Hope for a Cure Team Members

Join the MSA Coalition’s 2017 Holiday Hope for a Cure Team

2: Like and Follow The MSA Coalition’s Facebook Page for Volunteers

Don’t fundraise alone! Become a part of the MSA Coalition team of fundraising volunteers. We

Diane & Elaine Offer Hope & Advocacy for those with MSA

will post lots of great tips, updates and key dates to help make your fundraiser a success! Likewise, share your ideas, questions and success stories to help the whole team become better!

Like The MSA Coalition Volunteers Facebook Page

3: Sign Up for Special Giving Tuesday Newsletters

  • How to Set Up a CrowdRise Holiday Challenge Fundraiser
  • Tips on Fundraising Easily and Successfully
  • Success Stories From Other MSA fundraisers
  • Alerts About Key Fundraising Dates and Bonus Challenges
  • Fundraising Updates

If you are on the fence or nervous about fundraising, sign up for our newsletter and select the Holiday Challenge under fundraising as an interest. It is not a commitment to fundraise, it is only a commitment to learn more!

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Giving Tuesday – A Critical Day for Multiple System Atrophy Research

Multiple System Atrophy – A Devastating Diagnosis

by Cyndi Hungerford (in memory of Mark J. Hungerford)

WE NEED YOUR HELP TO REACH OUR GOAL! and to Defeat Multiple System Atrophy!

Our story began with odd symptoms in 2008 when my husband Mark thought he was walking funny in his boots then on a motorcycle run he nearly lost control of his bike going around a corner. Knowing something was wrong, we started seeing doctors. Doctor after doctor, test after test we were told there was nothing wrong. Finally, after being very persistant for an answer we got a diagnosis of Cerebellum Ataxia. Knowing we could live with that we would just have to adjust our lives to handle the condition.

markhungerford-1 markhungerford-2 markhungerford-3

Then he started developing new symptoms. He became very dizzy, had double and blurred vision, digestion problems, swallowing problems, dysfunctional bladder and then ended up with a permanent Foley catheter. He lost his ability to walk, talk, write & had constant headaches. Pain in his legs all the time on a daily basis with severe edema! Low blood pressure that was hard to regulate causing him to nearly pass out upon standing, then severely high blood pressure, difficulty breathing, severe Sleep Apnea causing him to stop breathing 19-24 times an hour and the list goes on and on.

Finally his doctor said there was something else going on so there were more tests and then they found it in his brain scan. The doctor explained to us the Cerebellum in the brain should be thick & dense, about the size of a large grapefruit, but this disease causes it to shrink and at his diagnosis it was the size of a 50 cent piece causing his body to fill the empty space in his head with spinal fluid making his head feel sloshy all the time. He couldn’t handle sudden movements at all. He had MSA, Multiple System Atrophy, a cruel degenerative disease with NO CURE!!! We wanted a second opinion so we went to Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN. After 2 days of nonstop tests we got the same news… MSA!!! In the spring of 2013 our whole world changed with this diagnosis!!!

We were devastated!! My husband was a strong man with his whole life ahead of him yet he lost everything, his hopes, his dreams, his dignity. He was completely dependent on me. I cared for him every day 24/7 until October 18th, 2016 when he made his final home in Heaven. We need answers about how to find this earlier and understand it so we can know how to treat it and STOP THIS DISEASE!!

We need a cure for multiple system atrophy!!!!

Please continue reading about what we are hoping for during the MSA Coalition’s Holiday Challenge Fundraising Campaign. PLEASE DONATE TO CURE Multiple System Atrophy!!!! PLEASE HELP US SO WE DON’T LOSE MORE LOVED ONES TO THIS DISEASE… IT COULD EASILY BE YOU OR A LOVED ONE… PLEASE HELP!!!! ANY DONATION COUNTS… IT ALL HELPS!!

>>>>>>> GOD BLESS YOU ALL <<<<<<<<<

* HAPPY HOLIDAYS *

Start your own CrowdRise Holiday Challenge MSA Fundraiser! It is very easy and takes about 10 minutes!!!!