Colorado Chapter Recognizes 50 Years of Service
On March 7, 1946 Sylvia Lawry officially chartered the National Multiple Sclerosis Society after her brother Bernard was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis ( MS). One year earlier, Sylvia had placed an ad in The New York Times asking “Multiple Sclerosis: Will anyone recovered from it please communicate with patient. T272 Times.” To her delight, more than 200 people had responded. But to her dismay, none had a cure. Instead, they wanted to know what she had learned so that their loved ones, like Bernard, could be rescued from MS.
Thus, Sylvia Lawry was moved to establish the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. By the end of 1947, the Society had two chapters, 750 members, $100,000 in funds and made its first research grant. Sylvia Lawry didn’t see impossible when she established the Society , instead she set out to achieve the goals of finding effective treatments and an end to MS.
1959 The Colorado Chapter of the National MS Society is established to serve the MS community.
1963 First self-help efforts established in the home of a volunteer. Today there are over 35 self help and support groups statewide.
1972 Colorado Chapter serves 2,000 people living with MS.
1976 MS Read-a-thon established with a 20-year tenure. At its peak, 36,000 children were enrolled in Colorado.
1981 First MRI pictures of the brain affected by MS are produced, revolutionizing MS diagnosis.
1983 Fort Collins office opens; merges with the Colorado Chapter in 1991, serving the northern quadrant of the state including the communities of Fort Collins, Loveland, Longmont, Boulder and Greeley.
1986 Colorado Chapter launches the MS150 fundraising bike ride in Colorado. Today, the signature bike ride, known as Bike MS, is host to more than 3,000 cyclists who ride 150 miles in two days raising nearly $3 million.
1987 The Colorado Chapter serves 3,500 people with MS.
1988 Colorado Chapter holds its first fundraising walk in Denver. Today, the signature events known as Walk MS are held statewide, with more than 10,000 walkers participating. Colorado Chapter hosts the first Dinner of Champions, originally established for the Society by Howard Cosell and Frank Gifford in 1972.
1991 The Colorado Chapter of the National MS Society merges with the MS Society of Colorado. As a result, we extended our services to 20 counties on the Western Slope, and 22 counties in the Southern region.
1993 Coloradans have access to Betaseron, the first FDA-approved drug to stem progression of MS. The National MS Society funded basic and clinical research that helped lead to the development of each of the six approved disease-modifying drugs for MS.
1996 Two more drug therapies – Avonex and Copaxone – are approved by the FDA for relapsing-remitting MS.
1997 First Women Against MS Luncheon is organized by a group of volunteers to raise awareness of MS and its impact on women. These annual luncheons have raised nearly $1.5 million to support programs and research.
1998 The National MS Society launches targeted research initiative into gender differences in MS.
1999 MS Clinic at Denver Health Center is established to serve underinsured and uninsured people living with MS. The Independent Living Empowerment Advocacy Program is launched to help people with MS remain independent. In 2008, the Care Management program expanded these services to support anyone diagnosed with MS, throughout the continuum of the disease, and anywhere in the state. Today, this program assists people with MS as they navigate the often complex and challenging health care and community resource systems. Care Management equips people with knowledge about and access to available resources and services that results in empowerment to effectively manage MS.
2000 FDA approves Novantrone for treating patients with progressive MS. Colorado Chapter serves 7,500 people with MS.
2002 FDA approves Rebif to treat relapsing-remitting MS.
2004 Tysabri initially approved by the FDA.
2005 Colorado Chapter moves the Southern Colorado office to Colorado Springs, extending services to 22 counties in the southern part of the state.
2008 Eight research projects are funded in Colorado by the National MS Society. Four MS Clinics are serving the medical needs of more than 900 patients who are underinsured and uninsured.
2009 Colorado Chapter reaches milestone – 50 years of serving and advocating for the MS community in Colorado. There are more than 9,000 Coloradans living with MS; one in every 540 people in Colorado. Colorado has one of the highest prevalence rates in the country.
LOOKING FORWARD
The Colorado Chapter will continue to provide comprehensive programs; care management, information and referral services, support and self-help groups, educational and wellness classes, and financial assistance to enhance the lives of the 72,000 Coloradans affected by MS. The Chapter remains committed to advocating for the MS community and is dedicated to raising funds to support vital research that will lead to improved treatments, the cures and a world free of MS.