CUTLINE: Wanda Castro, M.D., a neurologist at the University of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington; and Lisa Gerrol, president of the National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter; pose with Oscar Nieves, Waterbury, president of Berlin-based La Puertorriquenisima, 1120 AM WPRX; and Felix Viera, Hartford, host of “Hablando En Serio,” a Spanish-speaking show featured Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to noon on WPRX. Castro, who grew up in Puerto Rico, lives in Middletown. Her great grandmother battled multiple sclerosis, a potentially debilitating disease. Castro not only treats patients diagnosed with MS but is also an MS researcher. Castro and Gerrol, who lives in West Hartford, were recent guests on “Hablando En Serio.” The pair discussed the latest therapies, MS-related research being conducted in Connecticut and local programs and services offered by the chapter to people in the state living with MS . Oscar Nieves’s late wife, Carol, battled multiple sclerosis for 25 years before succumbing to complications associated with the illness. La Puertorriquenisima is Connecticut’s leading Spanish radio station, featuring music, news and community oriented programming. The station reaches more than 300,000 Hispanics living in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Both the National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter, and La Puertorriquenisima can be found on social media networking sites, including Facebook. For more information on multiple sclerosis, its effects and the many ways the National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter, assists people in Connecticut living with MS, visit www.ctfightsMS.org.

CUTLINE: Manchester resident Karen Butler, vice president of communications with the National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter, poses with Felix Viera, Hartford, and Oscar Nieves, Waterbury. Nieves is president of the Berlin-based La Puertorriquenisima 1120 AM WPRX. Viera hosts “Hablando En Serio,” a Spanish-speaking show featured on WPRX Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to noon. Viera was recently awarded “Latina Citizen of the Year” by the Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission. Butler and Nieves guested on Hablando En Serio Thursday, Sept. 13. Nieves shared his personal account of caring for his late wife, Carol, who battled multiple sclerosis for 25 years before succumbing to complications associated with the illness. Butler, whose grandmother lived with multiple sclerosis, spoke on the effects of MS and the many ways the community can engage in the quest to help fund a cure. Tune in next month, Wednesday, Sept. 4, when Henry Rodriguez and Antonio Simoes guest to share how their participation in Bike MS is enabling them to engage in the fight against MS. Simoes, a native of Hartford, lives with multiple sclerosis. La Puertorriquenisima is Connecticut’s leading Spanish radio station, featuring music, news and community oriented programming. The station reaches more than 300,000 Hispanics living in Connecticut and Massachusetts. For more information on multiple sclerosis, its effects and the many ways the National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter, assists people in Connecticut living with MS, visit www.ctfightsMS.org. For more information on the 2013 Bike MS: Cardio Express Ride, presented by Cashman + Katz, visit www.bikeMSct.org.