The Greater Illinois Chapter is fortunate to have many volunteers who are dedicated to furthering the mission of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Below are some of the amazing volunteers whom we would like you to meet. We hope that by reading through their stories, you will be inspired to Join the Movement!
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Kim Albin
In 2007, Kim was named “Advocate of the Year” and was honored at the National MS Society convention in Dallas. Moreover, in 2009, she received the Greater Illinois Chapter's Volunteer of the Year Award.
We are incredibly fortunate Kim is dedicated to the Greater Illinois Chapter and to the cause of creating a world free of MS. In addition to lending her talents to the Volunteer Development Committee, Kim is also a member of the Board of Trustees for the Greater Illinois Chapter, where she champions the Women on the Move luncheon, among other responsibilities.
After Kim’s diagnosis in 1998, she was forced to leave her corporate career, but she immediately became involved and active in all things MS. First, she established a support group in Carol Stream, Ill., distinguishing a local need for herself and for others affected by MS. Then, after returning to college and earning her political science degree from Benedictine University, she naturally gravitated to an advocacy role in the chapter. In 2008, Kim took her very personal cause a step further by creating the Cure MS Foundation (http://www.curemsfoundation.org/). Her foundation's annual fundraiser is a vehicle she uses to support others living with MS, the Greater Illinois Chapter’s goals and our mutual quest to find a cure.
In 2009, Kim received the Volunteer of the Year Award.
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Deanne Basofin
Deanne Basofin began her professional career as a social worker, a job that would eventually overlapped into her volunteer efforts. Deanne also was a semi-professional violinist and violin teacher, and she worked in public relations. Then in 2001, she was diagnosed with MS and became involved with the National MS Society by attending a support group in Evanston, Ill. In 2007, the group’s facilitator asked Deanne to co-facilitate their group, and today she’s the group’s lead facilitator. Aided by her social work background and commitment, Deanne runs a high-quality group that allows for sharing and problem solving. She also brings in guest speakers.
In addition to being an excellent facilitator, Deanne has served as co-facilitator for the Greater Illinois Chapter’s Relationship Matters Workshop for two years. Her observation skills, sensitivity to clients and her awareness of “group flow” has been invaluable to the workshops.
Deanne received the 2010 Support Group Facilitator of the Year Award.
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Rep. Patricia Bellock |
Reprensentative Patricia Bellock
Rep. Patricia Bellock (24th Legislative District and the 47th Representative District) has served in the state legislature since 1999, and has championed healthcare, developmental disabilities, and mental health issues since first being elected. As a community leader, she regularly speaks and gives presentations to young people with disabilities throughout the Chicagoland area.
The Chapter Illinois Chapter’s first meeting with Rep. Bellock was five years ago and has been a friend to the Chapter ever since. With her empathetic and down-to-earth approach, she asked good questions about the Chapter’s agenda such as why she should sponsor the bill and what the advantages are for people with disabilities.
This past year she supported the bill for Safe Handling of Patients in Nursing Homes as well as a bill supporting Gas Station Accessibility for People with Disabilities. Every year, Rep. Bellock along with Rep. Sandra Pihos, promotes the Women’s Health Fair at Yorktown Mall in Lombard. In her community, she has also worked behind the scenes in getting a railway underpass that was much needed by local residents. Rep. Bellock has received over 20 awards for her work in many different areas and she is a valuable ally for people with disabilities. Representative Patricia Bellock received the 2012 Legislator of the Year award.
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Ron Bernstein |
Ron Bernstein
Ron Bernstein actively participates in numerous fundraising activities on behalf of the National MS Society. Ron’s connection to MS is through his wife Susan who lives with MS. Susan’s parents Dolly and Merwyn Dan were long-time major donors to the Greater Illinois Chapter and now live in Florida and are supporters of their local chapter.
Ron has served as the Secretary on the Board of Trustees since 2005 and he is Chair of the Audit Committee. Ron is also on the Cohn Weil Golf and Bridge Committee. Cohn Weil consistently raises over $500,000 for the fight against MS. For Cohn Weil, Ron, his wife Susan and his mother Jan, work hard year-round to secure donations and to coordinate items on the day of the event for the silent auction.
Ron also participates in Walk MS North Shore with his wife and kids. He enjoys spending quality time with Susan and their three children Nikki, David and Danny, and gets them involved volunteering with the chapter as well. Ron is an incredibly helpful individual and is a great advocate for the Chapter. Always reliable, he never turns down an opportunity whenever he is needed. Ron Bernstein received the 2012 Chairman's Award.
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Tracy Butler |
Tracy Butler, ABC7 Chicago
Tracy Butler has been the meteorologist for ABC 7 News This Morning and ABC 7 News at 11 a.m. since 1995. She joined ABC 7 in 1994 as a weekend weathercaster. Tracy also co-hosts ABC 7's broadcast of the Chicago Air and Water Show, as well as the "Chrysler All-Star Shoot-Out," a celebrity golf tournament that airs throughout the summer. From 1993 to 2002, she filled in for weather anchors Spencer Christian and Tony Perkins on ABC's Good Morning America.
Tracy’s connection to MS is through her mom who is living with MS. Tracy has been involved with the National MS Society through one of the Chapter’s premier events the Women on the Move luncheon where she was served as emcee for three years.
Tracy is a sealed member of the National Weather Association and the American Meteorological Society. She was named "Woman of the Year" by the Executive Women's Golf Association and won the Illinois Treasurer's Public Service Award in 2000. She promotes the creativity of children through her Weather Sketcher's Club, which encourages children to send their weather-related drawings for a potential airing on ABC 7 News This Morning. Tracy Butler received the 2012 Public Education Award.
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Tom Berry and Carly Comiskey
Carly Comiskey grew up with a mother diagnosed with MS. As a student at Eastern Illinois University, she met Tom Berry, whose mother also lived with MS. That commonality prompted the two college friends to create a small, annual on-campus fundraiser, which raised $5,300 during their time in school. After graduating, Carly returned home wanting to continue their efforts. She found a local venue – 115 Bourbon Street – to host the “Raising Awareness” event, featuring live bands and raffles. With the help of family and friends and the sponsorship of the Young Irish Fellowship of Chicago, Raising Awareness is now in its ninth year, attracting between 400 and 500 guests annually. Donations increase each year, too — in 2009, Raising Awareness raised $25,000. “We don’t have big corporate sponsors, it is literally all family and friends that donate to the cause,” Carly says.
Raising Awareness also offers an opportunity for individuals in the MS community to connect. “It’s kind of a great networking opportunity for people,” Carly says. “There are a lot of people younger than me affected by MS, and a lot of them find answers and solace from others at the event.”
Tom and Carly received the 2010 Community Event Volunteer of the Year Award.
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Tim BivinsTim Bivins
The MS Activists presented many of our legislative plans to Senator Tim Bivins (R-45th District) which he supported and assisted in getting them passed through the Senate. Senator Bivins and his wife, Terri, who lives with MS, have volunteered at the Walk MS event in Rockford for the past two years and have helped make these events successful. Senator Bivins and his wife have been so gracious with their time and effort at the Walk and with the promotion of the event. Senator Bivins has a strong motivation to help others and to create a world free of MS.
John Boden, Jr.
“I try to encourage people to ‘Join the Movement’ by making sure that they have a good experience at the events and letting them know how important their participation is in order to ‘Create a World Free of MS!’”
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John Boden, Jr. |
John has been a volunteer with the National MS Society since 2005 and a member of the chapter's Volunteer Development Committee since 2008. He strives to attend as many MS events -- both chapter and community -- as possible to extend his gratitude to all involved. He has become the spokesperson for explaining how essential volunteers are to making events successful. He always has a smile and has encouraging words to say. John cherishes seeing the joy on children’s faces, waving those orange pom-pons at events and the relationships that he has formed with chapter staff.
In 2008, John was selected for the chapter’s Volunteer of the Year Award.
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Diane BowenDiane Bowen
When Diane Bowen was diagnosed with MS in 1983, there were no peer support programs available at the time to help her during this new challenge. Diane feels that a support program would have been a resource that would have been helpful for her, so since 2005, Diane has volunteered her time with a peer support program. Diane has also assumed the volunteer role of coordinator for this program, keeping records for the program and assigning clients to volunteers. Diane has come full circle from someone newly diagnosed with MS, to a peer support volunteer, to an administrator of the program. Her dedication to the program and the mission to end MS truly shows through her volunteer efforts in the Peer Support Program.
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Buddy and Kelli Brouder
Buddy and Kelli Brouder are a husband and wife team—captains of Walk MS Team Bud—at the West Suburban Walk MS site, and they have a personal connection to MS. This dynamic duo first got involved with the chapter in 2009, when they raised $6,000 in less than a month. At this year’s Walk MS event, their ambitious drive and unwavering determination garnered them over $41,000 by doing what they do best – having a good time! They hosted, for example, their first Team Bud “Walk on the Wild Side” fundraiser, which alone raised over $22,000. In 2010, Buddy and Kelli received the Rookie Fundraiser of the Year Award.
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Scott Burstein
Scott Burstein has participated in MS events for six years. At his first event, he completed a 30-mile lakeshore ride, raising $1,500. Then he joined the Bike MS: Tour de Farms ride in 2006 as an individual rider, and the following year he started the Psyclomaniacs team. In the past six years, Scott has individually raised over $74,000, and his team has raised almost $150,000 in four years. The Psyclomaniacs are an incredibly enthusiastic team, and their roster, now at 52 cyclists and 447 supporters, continues to grow each year.
In 2009, Scott showed true commitment to the cause: Even though he was out of the country during Bike MS, he was still one of the top three fundraisers for the event, bringing in nearly $18,000.
In 2010, Scott received the 2010 Excellence in Fundraising: Bike MS Award.
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Brad CofoidBrad Cofoid
For 11 years Brad Cofoid has been leading up a team of more than 20 cyclists under the name “The Room Place Riders” riding through the cornfields and roads of DeKalb and surrounding counties while raising money and awareness for multiple sclerosis. His team has cumulatively raised over $61,000 in the past three years. Brad not only has the ability to motivate others to participate in Bike MS, but he inspires people to donate to the cause. This year, Brad individually rose over $7,000 for Bike MS and has once again qualified himself to be a member of the elite club of the Top 150 Bike MS Fundraisers known as the Gold Spokes Club. He is a true advocate and leader in the fight against MS and embodies all the core values of fundraising: commitment, leadership, integrity, excellence and most importantly, teamwork.
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Carly Comiskey and Tom Berry
Carly Comiskey grew up with a mother diagnosed with MS. As a student at Eastern Illinois University, she met Tom Berry, whose mother also lived with MS. That commonality prompted the two college friends to create a small, annual on-campus fundraiser, which raised $5,300 during their time in school. After graduating, Carly returned home wanting to continue their efforts. She found a local venue – 115 Bourbon Street – to host the “Raising Awareness” event, featuring live bands and raffles. With the help of family and friends and the sponsorship of the Young Irish Fellowship of Chicago, Raising Awareness is now in its ninth year, attracting between 400 and 500 guests annually. Donations increase each year, too — in 2009, Raising Awareness raised $25,000. “We don’t have big corporate sponsors, it is literally all family and friends that donate to the cause,” Carly says.
Raising Awareness also offers an opportunity for individuals in the MS community to connect. “It’s kind of a great networking opportunity for people,” Carly says. “There are a lot of people younger than me affected by MS, and a lot of them find answers and solace from others at the event.”
Carly and Tom received the 2010 Community Event Volunteer of the Year Award.
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Charles W. Connors, Sr.
Charles (Chuck) W. Connors Jr. is a University of Illinois graduate who went on to receive a degree in law from DePaul University. He is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association as well as the U.S. Patent Bar. Always driven, Chuck is the chairman and CEO of the international refractory ceramics company Magneco/Metrel. He uses his considerable business knowledge and many connections to help find a cure for MS.
Despite his many professional successes, Chuck might say his greatest achievements are his four children, Charles, Jr.; Susan; George and Colleen. Colleen's diagnosis 16 years ago sparked his personal and family's involvement with the National MS Society.
Chuck sites on both the National MS Society Board of Trustees and the Greater Illinois Chapter Board of Trustees. He is a past chapter chairman and currently chairs the chapter's Governance and Donor Development committees, and his family has donated more than $130,000 to fund two National MS Society clinical fellowships at the University of Chicago, which Chuck describes as "the most fun I ever had" in making a donation.
In 2009, Chuck received the chapter's Lifetime Achievement Award. Chuck is truly a champion for a cause, and this is evident in his energy and passion for finding a cure and for inspiring others to Join the Movement
against MS. In 2010, the chapter bestowed Chuck with the Chairman's Award.
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Rep. Jerry Costello
U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D – 12th District) was a county bailiff, deputy sheriff, director of court services and probation and chief investigator for the Illinois State Attorney's office before entering the House in 1987. He is known for his tireless work on behalf of transportation, labor and agriculture—central issues to his district. The congressman also has a strong record of fighting for the health and welfare of his constituents, and specifically for people with MS. Congressman Costello is a member of the Congressional MS Caucus, and he and his staff do their best to be available for the Society and people with MS.
This past year, Congressman Costello helped pass the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which eliminates pre-existing condition restrictions and lifetime caps, lowers out-of-pocket costs and eventually closes the Medicare Part D coverage gap—helping many with MS in the process.
In 2010, Congressman Costello received one of the chapter's 2010 Legislators of the Year Award.
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Ellen Crawley
For years, ABC7 Chicago has utilized its broadcast talent and extensive media capabilities to educate the public about what it means to live with MS. ABC7 Chicago on-air personalities and journalists such as Kathy Brock, Tracy Butler, Ron Magers and Jerry Taft have actively participated in chapter events and have graciously donated their time and talents to create awareness about MS and to help us create a world free of MS. Ellen Crawley spearheads these efforts and is an active and valued member of our Board of Trustees.
For MS Awareness Month, Walk MS, Women on the Move and other events, the commitment ABC7 Chicago has shown to the National MS Society continues to be a source of inspiration to our chapter and to the thousands of individuals currently living with MS in Illinois.
In 2010, Ellen received the 2010 Public Education Award.
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Dr. Joy DerwenskusJoy Derwenskus, D. O.
Dr. Joy Derwenskus is a physician at Northwestern Medical Center for Comprehensive MS Care and is an Assistant Professor of Neurology at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University. She completed a two-year fellowship in MS through the National MS Society at the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York.
Dr. Derwenskus has been with Northwestern for seven years and 100 percent of her clinical practice is in MS. In addition to her work, she created an educational support group for young professionals, which sponsors experts on MS from around the country. Dr. Derwenskus is also a member of the Society’s Clinical Advisory Committee and has been a frequent speaker at the Chapter’s annual Research Symposium.
Dr. Derwenskus has also participated in Chapter fundraising events such as the MS Stair Climb and Walk MS. Patients rave about her and she rarely declines an offer to help with a patient education program for the Society. She has a great visual presence and is very eager to work with the Society. Dr. Derwenskus’ specialty is among a very small group of physicians, so the Society is very lucky to have her involved and dedicated. Dr. Joy Derwenskus received the 2012 June Golin Service Award.
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Donna Fatigato
Donna Fatigato
Donna Fatigato has been instrumental in the growth and success of the Cure MS Foundation since its inception in 2008. This program channels funds to the National MS Society and has been influential to the Financial Assistance Program. Donna took it upon herself to organize and run a charity golf outing the 1st year and established one of its key fundraisers, the “Spring into Fashion” luncheon and fashion show, which she envisioned, funded and organized with incredible results. Since becoming involved with fundraising efforts, she has also attended the “Women On the Move” luncheon and formed a Bike MS team that raised over $1,000 her first year. Donna has been responsible for raising close to $20,000 and continues to be one of our most valuable volunteers.
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Rep. Esther Golar
State Representative Esther Golar (D – 6th District) has represented her constituents on Chicago’s South Side, since 2006. Golar was the chief sponsor of our accessible parking legislation this year and has supported our issues consistently over the years. As chairperson of the Illinois House Disability Services Committee and as a member of the Health Care Availability and Access Committee, Golar is very aware of the challenges encountered by Illinois’ chronically ill or disabled citizens, including those with MS. She is committed to addressing those issues on an ongoing basis, and we look forward to continue working with her on identifying solutions.
Golar’s other House committee assignments include: Elementary & Secondary Education; Judiciary II - Criminal Law; Medicaid Reform, Family & Children; Public Policy & Accountability (Chairperson); Enhancement of Criminal
Penalties; Charter Schools; Medicaid Reform Subcommittee (Sub-Chairperson); Constitutionality and Redundancy; and Expansion of Sex Offenses (Sub Chairperson).
Rep. Golar received one of the chapter's 2010 Legislators of the Year Award.
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Michelle Hedl
Michelle Hedl, diagnosed with MS in December 2004, wasted no time before joining our movement, and formed her Walk MS team by spring 2005. Her positivity and encouragement have driven family, friends and co-workers to participate in Walk MS, Bike MS: Tour de Farms and other Greater Illinois Chapter fundraising events, and in less than six years Michelle has raised over $80,000 individually and her team has raised $132,000!
In addition to being an amazing fund-raiser, Michelle is also a wonderful activist, having spearheaded a letter-writing campaign to share her story and drive public awareness toward the National MS Society. Michelle has consistently shown true commitment to the cause, even when faced with a breast cancer diagnosis last winter. Michelle has persevered, participating in Walk MS and staying involved with the Society, embracing and contributing to the camaraderie and sense of community provided by Walk MS. Michelle is truly a remarkable volunteer and team captain.
Michelle received the 2010 Excellence in Fundraising: Walk MS Award.
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Gene Keck |
Gene Keck
Gene Keck is a volunteer co-facilitator of one of the new programs in the Chapter, Meeting the Challenges of MS, a five-session problem solving workshop for family and friends who are caring for a loved one living with MS.
Gene is a family support partner himself for his wife Donna and has been the facilitator of the Aurora Friends and Family Support Group for several years. Gene provides a consistent presence throughout all the workshops, offering technical assistance, oversight of supplies, handouts, and serves as a personal support contact to new participants. Without his assistance, it would not have been possible to do as many workshops as are now being offered. Gene has been supported and helped with all of these projects by his wife Donna, who also facilitates the Aurora MS Support Group.
Gene has also been a long-standing member of the Support Group Leadership Advisory Council, a volunteer support group facilitator network that assists staff in coordinating and planning the growth of support groups. As part of his role on the Council, Gene has mentored family and friends groups, another part of the Chapter’s efforts to increase resources available to families. Gene Keck was awarded the 2012 Support Group Facilitator of the Year.
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Joe Keefe and Ben Roberts
Joe Keefe and Ben Roberts began volunteering in 2007 when they started their Multiple Sclerosis Pub Crawl fundraiser. They feel they “have the opportunity to honor those affected by MS by bringing together family, friends and supporters of a great cause,” says Ben Roberts, whose father lives with MS. The throughout the day of the pub crawl, Joe and Ben sell raffle tickets for prizes that have been donated by friends, family, local restaurants, boutiques and other shops. In the 4 years of the pub crawl, the two friends have averaged about 250 participants and raised approximately $25,000.
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Carolyn Keith
Diagnosed with MS in 1993, Carolyn Keith has been dedicated for years to volunteering and raising money in support of the Society’s mission to find a cure and to address the challenges of people affected by MS. For more than seven years now, Carolyn has volunteered weekly as accounts payable clerk for the Finance Department at the Greater Illinois Chapter’s main office. She says she appreciates how well the Society stretches every penny – her eyes are the last to see each payables check that leaves the office. Carolyn also enjoys helping Society staff each year with counting the cash turned-in from the various Walk MS sites.
Carolyn has been fundraising for the Society since 2000, when she did her first Walk MS at the North Shore site. She has done eight Twin Cities Challenge Walks (three days, 50 miles) since 2002, personally raising more than $89,000 thus far, which she has split 50/50 between Greater Illinois and Minnesota Chapters. Realizing that event participants on teams have more fun, Carolyn founded the C.O.W.s – Committed Outsiders Walking (against MS) – in 2005. The C.O.W.s, a team of Challenge Walkers and crew members, all of whom hale from outside the Twin Cities area, met online initially and have grown into great friends. The other C.O.W.s have raised an additional $58,000 for the Minnesota Chapter. The C.O.W.s made a music video for the 2010 Challenge Walk team night. Enjoy it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB4zlROYPpE. Carolyn also keeps a lively blog on her Challenge Walk Personal Page each year, chronicling her six-month Challenge Walk training seasons.
Carolyn received the 2010 Volunteer of the Year Award.
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Sylvia Kemp |
Sylvia Kemp
Sylvia Kemp began volunteering with the society in 2011 as a support group leader. She also first participated in Walk MS - South Suburbs in 2011. In 2012, she became a first time team captain for MS Mission Possible. MS Mission Possible is a MS Support Group for South Suburban Chicago Region and that has members from Frankfort, Illinois to Northwest Indiana, who gather once a month.
Sylvia has become very active with the organization and really gets people going and fundraising for MS. In 2011, as part of the Cardinal Fitness Team she individually raised $6,075. For fundraising at Walk MS this year, her team ranked fourth overall and personally she ranked second overall. She set goals for her Walk MS team this year and continually outpaced them. For the Walk MS - South Suburbs 2012 she raised $23,312 individually and $36,494 as a team, which consisted of 46 members.
She is very vocal within her community and has really stepped up becoming a team captain this year. She has also held four fundraisers on her own to spread awareness. One of her fundraisers was a comedy show that raised nearly $6,000. She is a great leader and her willingness to get out in the community has been unbelievably inspiring to boost people’s spirit and raise awareness and funds. Sylvia Kemp was awarded the 2012 Excellence in Fundraising, Walk MS.
Team Kroeschell
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For the past 8 years, Ed Swietek and Kathy Santangelo have led a volunteer group from Kroeschell Inc., also known as "Team Kroeschell,” who make delicious lunches possible at one of the rest stops at Bike MS: Tour de Farms. Team Kroeschell started out as a fundraising team of riders in 2003, and supplied the volunteers necessary to man the rest stop in Waterman. In the following years at Bike MS, Team Kroeschell began grilling burgers, hot dogs, and veggie burgers to feed both riders and volunteers, and in 2007, they became the official lunch stop for the event. Year after year, this volunteer group has grown as they have gathered their employees, family and friends to form this army of volunteers to grill and serve hungry riders during Bike MS weekend. The National MS Society is truly grateful for the Kroeschell's dedication of their time and energy for these events. The Society looks forward to many more years of partnership with Team Kroeschell because we are in it together to beat MS!
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Patricia Kroll |
Patricia Kroll
Patricia Kroll has been living with MS since 2008. She became involved in the National MS Society as the receiver of calls from the Peer Support Program. In 2010 she became a Peer Support Volunteer herself, knowing from first-hand experience just how helpful it is to talk to someone else with MS when newly diagnosed.
In the three years Patricia has done Peer Support Volunteer work, she has offered an empathic and action-oriented approach to her callers. Not only does she offer understanding, but she has gathered excellent resources on her own time, as well as what she has received through training. This past year, she also conducted one of the in-service teleconferences for other Peer Support Volunteers based on the resources which she collected.
Other volunteer roles Patricia has assumed include co-facilitating an MS support group this year, starting an events/resource newsletter that she shares with both support group and peer support members, and administering aspects of the Health Education Volunteer program, including setting up appointments in skilled nursing facilities for volunteers to present the in-service to staff (Providing Quality Care to Persons With MS). Patricia has also assisted with acquiring sponsors for the Chapter’s annual Penikoff Research Symposium. She has offered the best of herself in order to improve the lives of those living with MS. Patricia Kroll was awarded the 2012 Peer Support Group Facilitator of the Year.
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Rep. Lou Lang
Representative Lou Lang (D-16th District) has been a long-time supporter of issues important to persons with multiple sclerosis and other disabilities and chronic conditions. Representative Lang’s support dates back to 2002 with the addition of multiple sclerosis to the income tax check-off list and more recently with his sponsorship of our safe patient handling legislation that passed unanimously in May of this year. Since he was first elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in1988, Representative Lang established himself as one of the Legislature’s most outspoken leaders. Representative Lang has stood by Illinois' working families, supported increases in minimum wage, worked to expand family and medical leave, and opposed efforts to weaken worker compensation laws. The Society is grateful to have a representative who is supportive of issues that will benefit people living with MS and other disabilities.
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Sen. Terry Link |
State Senator Terry Link
Sen. Terry Link (30th Senate District) has served in the state legislative since 1997. He currently serves as the Illinois Senate’s Majority Caucus Whip, chair of the Senate’s Committee on Gaming and vice-chair of both the Local Government and Financial Institutions Committees. Sen. Link also serves as a member of the Committee on State Government and Veteran’s Affairs and the Legislative Ethics Commission. He is the sub-chairperson of the Subcommittee on Public Safety and a member of the Committee of the Whole. Sen. Link was recently appointed to the board of the Illinois Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan (CHIP). During his tenure in the Senate, he has been a champion for legislation for the environment, economic development, tax fairness, health care, and human services.
Sen. Link’s connection to MS is his wife, Susan McCall Link, who lives with multiple sclerosis. He is a very caring person and a great advocate for our cause. The Society is very fortunate to have him as our district Senator. When the Society reaches out to Sen. Link, he readily accepts the call or makes arrangements to meet. He is also known for attending MS Action Day where he listens and discusses recent bills or topics and reviews requests for his support. He was invited to a group meeting at the MS Action Day dinner and he took time out of his schedule to show up and speak in front of the group.
Sen. Link takes time out of his day to make appearances and listen to organizations like the National MS Society. He has been a great leader in advancing issues important to persons with MS, including sponsorship of our Illinois lottery ticket legislation. Whenever we need him, he is there for us. Sen. Terry Link was award the 2012 Legislator of the Year award.
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Laura MachonisLaura Machonis
Ever since the first walk and her diagnosis in 1997, Laura Machonis and her family have been actively volunteering for and participating in Walk MS. Laura’s creativity is what inspired her to combine a hobby she loves with her fundraising efforts, and thus, “Crop for a Cause” was created. Laura’s fundraising extends throughout the year with multiple crop events and she makes sure every single penny raised at the event goes directly to the National MS Society. After the overwhelming success of the initial event, Laura went on to form a team for Walk MS, “Crop for a Cause: Making MS a Memory” and now has over 140 people on the team. In raising $143,562.34 since 2007, she is the #1 team at the Northwest Walk site and the fifth top fund raising team for the entire state of Illinois! Laura has truly embraced her leadership role in her team’s fundraising efforts and as a contender in the fight against MS.
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Sen. Edward Maloney
State Senator Edward Maloney (D – 18th District) has responded to the needs of the Society and people living with MS by, for example, co-sponsoring bills that led to an Illinois Lottery ticket for MS research, more reliable accessible parking, insurance coverage of prescribed physical therapy and an MS license plate. Maloney also voted in favor of crucial stem cell research.
Maloney began his career as a legislator in 1992 when he was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives. He served as a House member from 1992 to 1993, ran for the Illinois Senate in 2002 and has served as senator for the 18th District from 2003 until present. Maloney also chairs the Senate’s Higher Education committee and is a member of these others: Committee of the Whole; Labor Appropriations II; Consumer Protection; Redistricting; Deficit Reduction; and Subcommittee on Special Issues.
Sen. Maloney received one of the 2010 Legislators of the Year Award.
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Terry Mazurkiewicz |
Terry Mazurkiewicz
Terry Mazurkiewicz was diagnosis with MS in June 2011. Before he was diagnosed he was involved with the Society by making a donation after hearing about MS from a co-worker. After being diagnosed, Terry created his own Walk team in 2012, Multiple Strengths, which participated in McHenry County.
Terry has been actively involved in the Society and has gone above and beyond to be very supportive and positive toward facing MS. He has ups and downs from MS, but prides himself in never missing work and other obligations, which is one of the reasons why he is this year’s Rookie Fundraiser of the Year. His outlook on every situation has allowed him to excel with the MS Society. Also he has been able to use his background in sales and marketing, by giving him a chance to use his skill set for a good cause.
His hope is that through his efforts it will inspire others to get involved. He has been able to spread awareness through his connections and has had a lot of success in fundraising through Facebook. Throughout fundraising for the Walk, he was shocked by the generosity he received from his family, friend and even strangers and people he has done business with. He will continue to raise money to find a cure and won’t let MS catch up to him. Terry Mazurkiewicz receive the 2012 Rookie Fundraiser of the Year award.
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Neil H. Pliskin, Ph. D.
Dr. Neil Pliskin has assumed a very important role in the Greater Illinois Chapter as its resident expert on cognition and MS. Since joining the chapter’s Clinical Advisory Committee in 2006, Dr. Pliskin has brought his expertise to hundreds of people with MS through chapter-sponsored programs and through his role as an ad hoc adviser to the staff of the chapter’s Financial Assistance Program. Dr. Pliskin has presented on the topic of cognition and MS for teleconferences, at a women's health program, at the annual Research Symposium and as the keynote speaker for the 2009 Support Volunteer Retreat. He also has been very actively involved in the chapter’s support groups.
In addition to working directly with the Greater Illinois Chapter, Dr. Pliskin works with many neurologists at comprehensive care centers, performing neuropsychological assessments for their patients. It is through neuropsychological assessments that many people living with MS learn to identify and adapt to their cognitive changes, enabling them to continue being productive. Dr. Pliskin also trains graduate students to work with MS clients, and many students who have worked as interns in the chapter’s Programs and Services Department have also had subsequent training in Dr. Pliskin's clinic. (Training professionals in allied health fields is an important strategic goal for the Society.) Dr. Pliskin has had a broad impact on the delivery of behavioral health care to people living with MS through direct services, education, consultation and chapter volunteerism.
Dr. Pliskin is a professor of clinical psychiatry and neurology, chief of the neurobehavior program and director of neuropsychology at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He also co-directs its Center for Cognitive Medicine.
Dr. Pliskin is the recipient of the 2010 June Golin Service Award.
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Kim Polka and Team KPMGKim Polka and Team KPMG
KPMG has been involved in the Bike MS: Tour de Farms event for the past 9 years. In the past 5 years, KPMG has raised over $70,000 for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Team KPMG couldn’t be the success that it is without the leadership of Kim Polka, who has been participating for 10 years. Not only does Kim lead the local KPMG team for the Greater Illinois Chapter, but for the past four years, she has served as a National Team Captain providing advice and guidance to other KPMG teams across the country. Team KPMG team has become a leader in Bike MS due to their innovative and unique ideas in fundraising. They work together to put on a variety of events such as Blue Jeans Fundraisers at the office, garage sales and parties with donation jars at the food tables. Overall, team KPMG exemplifies excellence through all aspects of the Bike MS event in their commitment to the mission, their leadership on a national level, their integrity fundraising and of course their teamwork in getting the job done.
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Paul PurcellPaul Purcell
Paul Purcell is actively involved in the MS community through his work with the National MS Society, Myelin Repair Foundation and by raising over $1.5 million for MS research from an event known as Drive for Breakthroughs, which he co-founded. Recently, Paul has been involved with the Greater Illinois Chapter and its newer support group for those in their 20’s and 30’s called Empowered Living. Members of Empowered Living have enjoyed various events, made possible by The McNamara Purcell Foundation’s contributions, where neurologists and other speakers have come to discuss life after diagnosis. With his encouragement for people to take control of their health with professional health services and discussions of proactive lifestyle management, members of Empowered Living have taken steps to be better advocates for their health.
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Purple People
The Purple People are famous at the Greater Illinois Chapter’s annual Bike MS: Tour de Farms event, both along the route and at their popular rest stop. A history of family members living with MS has motivated this family team, and they have been “charged with finding a cure” according to Team Captain Tricia Mascheri.
The Purple People have been operating rest stops at Bike MS for fifteen years and in the ride for six years. Last year, the team raised $10,000 for the chapter as part of the Bike MS event, but “It doesn’t stop at fundraising,” Tricia says: “It’s fundraising, it’s motivation, it’s awareness.” Because of their long-time participation in and commitment to Bike MS, they are well-known and respected by other teams. The team also puts together cookbooks that support the Society through the Wisconsin Chapter.
Purple People received the 2010 Group Volunteer of the Year Award.
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Ian RadomskiIan Radomski
Ian Radomski is currently the Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Greater Illinois Chapter and joined the Board of Trustees in 2005. Ian has served in his current role and as a member of the Executive Committee for four years. Ian welcomed the opportunity to join our Board and has been eager to help the Chapter further it’s mission. Ian’s commitment to our mission and people with MS has always been present in every decision he has made and has always brought in a fresh perspective to our finances and to our operations. Ian’s questions always shed new light to different approaches in making the Chapter grow. Because of Ian’s hard work, intelligence, kindness and good humor, we are truly grateful for his volunteer commitment.
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David ResnickDavid Resnick
As a new member of the Board of Trustees for the Greater Illinois Chapter, David Resnick has demonstrated his support of every event, program and campaign that is asked of him by our staff. While he was a team captain for Bike MS: Tour de Farms this year, he also made donations and invited additional donors to support our “Women on the Move” luncheon, the Cohn Weil Memorial MS Outing and most notably, he authored a letter to help enlist support of our Golden Circle Campaign in its pilot year. As an attorney, he offered his services to help negotiate and write a lease agreement which will allow our chapter to save thousands of dollars annually and has also offered his firm’s office and conference spaces for use by the Society.
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Gina and Shelly RosensteinGina and Shelly Rosenstein
Both Gina and Shelly Rosenstein have been involved with the Carol Cohn & Margie Weil Memorial MS Outing for 33 years, volunteering as the Bridge Co-Chairman. This annual golf outing features an 18-hole golf tournament, bridge and poker tournaments, a silent and live auction and a dinner. This year, more than 500 people, including 100 bridge participants, contributed to the$460,000 raised, which will be directed to the National MS Society for important research, programs and services that will help improve the lives of people affected by MS in Illinois. While Gina and Shelly’s hard work can be seen by the number of participants and the amount of money raised each year, it is truly their spirit that has allowed this event to become as successful as it has over the years. These women continue to bring a wonderful attitude and a positive spirit to this event, and the National MS Society is lucky to count Gina and Shelly among our valued friends and supporters.
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Amy Perrin Ross, APN |
Amy Perrin Ross, APN
Amy Perrin Ross, APN, coordinates the Multiple Sclerosis Center at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Illinois. She is a member of the Board of Directors for the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers, The International Organization of Multiple Sclerosis Nurses, and the Multiple Sclerosis Nursing International Certification Board. Amy is also a member of the Professional Advisory Committee and a Clinical consultant for the National MS Society. She has authored numerous articles on multiple sclerosis. This year Amy was recognized by the National MS Society and was inducted into the 2012 Health Professionals Hall of Fame.
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Dr. Susan Rubin
Dr. Susan Rubin is a neurologist in the Department of Neurology at the North Shore University Health System at Glenbrook Hospital. She has developed a practice focusing on women’s issues in neurology, and became Co-Director of the North Shore MS Treatment Center. She has been a member of the Greater Illinois Chapter’s Clinical Advisory Committee since 2006 and is an active participant in planning and implementing educational programs. Dr. Rubin has volunteered to speak on women’s health and MS in our teleconference series and was also the keynote speaker for “Women and MS,” a group created by the chapter in 2008. Most recently, she attended an Empowered Living support group meeting for young professionals in their 20’s and 30’s to address the issue of “starting a family after diagnosis.” Her warmth and empathy toward her patients is front and center, which can be seen through her tireless efforts.
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David SackettDavid Sackett
After being diagnosed with Primary Progressive MS in August 2010, David Sackett, a firefighter, quickly became involved in fundraising and participating in National MS Society events. David’s motto “It is what it is, keep trucking!” not only encourages his team members at Walk MS, but also inspiring those who are living with MS to stay positive and keep pushing through. His first event with the National MS Society was Walk MS 2011 where he recruited 60 people for his team and had an original fundraising goal of $3,000. With creative fundraising ideas that got his community involved in his efforts and the mission to create a world free of MS, David’s team raised $16, 980 for Walk MS! David is truly an inspiration and we’re so lucky to have him as part of our Walk MS event.
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Bill Shiner
Bill, who has a personal connection to MS, has been supporting the Carol Cohn & Margie Weil MS Memorial Golf Outing for nearly 10 years. He became a member of the Cohn Weil Committee in 2006 and currently serves as the event’s Major Sponsorship Chairman. Bill is solely responsible for the calls and cultivation that result in several hundred thousand sponsorship dollars yearly. His sponsorship efforts and personal donations have totaled close to $1 million since he joined the committee. Bill has done a wonderful job of bringing his professionalism to the sponsorship side of the event. More than that, he is an incredible friend to the tournament. Cohn Weil MS Memorial Outing Chairperson Joe Weil, who also is a member of the chapter’s Board of Trustees, says, “Bill doesn’t do anything halfway—he is very deserving of this volunteer recognition.” Bill received the 2010 Pioneering Spirit Award.
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Gary Shlifka |
Gary Shlifka
Gary Shlifka was diagnosed with MS in 1995. He began volunteering for the Greater Illinois Chapter three years ago at the Bike MS and continued volunteering in the Chicago office with the Information Technology Department. He enjoys giving of his time to the Society and he hopes to one day help rid the world of MS.
Gary has become well-integrated and connected in the office. Being in the office several days a week, he impacts many staff members and office volunteers and has become a great asset for the Chapter. He is able to adapt and learn fast while multi-tasking on different projects. He has been a great help in the data migration process that the chapter recently went through as well as IT projects.
In the office people look for Gary because they have confidence in him and know he won’t give up until his work is done. His goal in his work with the Chapter is to make the staff members’ lives easier, which results in helping people with MS. He has grown attached to his work and finds it hard to not keep coming back and volunteering his time. For his exceptional work, which always goes above and beyond the call of duty, Gary is the Volunteer of the Year for 2012.
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Jim SkinnerJim Skinner
Jim Skinner, who has been McDonald's Chief Executive Officer since 2004, is known for his charitable works and personal support of various causes. Jim Skinner has proven his dedication to find a cure and has made a great impact in the fight against MS. Jim exemplifies our theme as a champion for the cause through his generosity.
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Mark SuppelsaMark Suppelsa
Mark Suppelsa, co-anchor of WGN News at Nine and WGN Evening News, has contributed greatly to the fight against MS this past year by creating free public service announcements for the National MS Society. With these announcements, Mark has raised awareness about MS and the Bike MS: Tour de Farms event to the community. He has a connection to MS and has given this Chapter a great opportunity to inform the public about how they can support a world free of MS.
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Vicky Tate |
Vicky Tate
Vicky Tate works at a health club and became aware of multiple sclerosis through the people she has met there. She first got involved with the MS Society through the team captain of the Pedal Heads, who are one of the top fundraising teams for Bike MS: Tour de Farms. After the team captain of the Pedal Heads moved away he asked Vicki to take over the team, and she happily accepted. She is a very motivated individual who when asked to do something does it with her whole heart. She has taken a great passion in this event since it connects with her passions of fitness, biking and helping others.
She has focused on growing her Bike team, which now stands at 130 riders, making the Pedal Heads the largest team Tour de Farms has ever had. She has become a go to person for the Society, who can always be counted on to capture the spirit of the event. This year she won the team jersey contest and brings fun and energy to the team village, especially with her team’s margarita machine. Her team raised around $55,000 this year and they raised around $30,000 the previous year.
She has impacted the MS community because the money she has raised helps people at her health club who have MS as well as the larger MS population. At her health club, they have a group called MS Bridges, which is a water fitness class so that people can work out in a safe environment. For Vicky, seeing all the people at the Bike event who raise money on behalf of those living with MS is very motivating to her. Vicky Tate received the 2012 Excellence in Fundraising, Bike MS award.
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Yolanda Treiguts |
Yolanda Treiguts
“I encourage by example. Join me and we will work together in a noble cause that will make a difference in people’s lives and our efforts will make a better world for all.”
Yolanda Treiguts has been a volunteer with the Greater Illinois Chapter for an impressive 28 years and has been Chair of the Volunteer Development Committee for two years. She is also the proud founder and facilitator for the South Cook MS Self-Help Group. She has been diagnosed with MS and continues to volunteer in order to reach her ultimate goal: celebrating the day we find the cure for MS. Yolanda believes that the mission of the National MS Society is “to create a “big tent” with the thousands of people affects by MS, their families and friends, joining together as volunteers to fight and cure MS.” With the help of her supportive husband, George Treiguts, Yolanda has kept MS at bay while offering help to those in need.
Yolanda Treiguts is the Chair of the Volunteer Development Committee (2008 to present).
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Gail WachowskiGail Wachowski
Gail Wachowski was diagnosed with Progressive MS in April 2000 and is currently a co-facilitator of the Algonquin MS Support Group as well as a member of the Support Group Leadership Advisory Council. Gail first became involved in an MS water class after her diagnosis where she met people from the Algonquin/Lake of the Hills MS Self-Help group which she began attending and later became a facilitator. Along with her work with the support group, Gail has also been involved in advocacy efforts. As part of the Support Group Leadership Advisory Council for the last several years, Gail has been mentoring several support groups who have needed additional assistance and has gone above and beyond in her facilitator role. Gail has a helpful spirit and a reputation of responsible follow-through for any tasks she takes on.
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Adam Wozny |
Adam Wozny
Adam Wozny is like many 18-year-olds across the country. He’s currently a freshman at Northwestern University; he’s active, having played as a soccer defenseman for all four years he attended Fenwick High School in Oak Park, as well as a three-year player on the volleyball team; and he likes to ski. However what sets Adam apart is that he spent his spring break this past year biking 500 miles for MS.
Adam’s mother was diagnosed with MS 14 years ago. After she was diagnosed she got involved with the National MS Society. On January 4, 2012, Adam founded his own charity, Miles for MS. The reason he created this charity was to help the organization that helped his mom. Adam raised $4,500 for his event. His hope is that his charity will be positive inspiration to others.
Having never biked more than about 10 miles at a time before, riding 500 miles to help someone that he loves, was a quite a feat for Adam. Starting in East Dubuque, Illinois, along the Mississippi River, Adam’s quest took him 13 days to complete, ending in Cairo. Adam’s ride had a great impact and he did something that not many would ever think of doing, especially at his age, and on their spring break. Adam is the Community Event Volunteer of the Year for 2012.
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