On Saturday, June 18 the New Jersey Metro Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society held its annual scholarship award ceremony. This year the chapter awarded scholarships to 45 area students distributing a total of $55,800. The morning was hosted by Board Member Meryl Ravitz and Joe Revello who are the driving forces behind the program.
The economic impact of MS is substantial. Direct and indirect costs of MS, including lost wages, (even for those with insurance coverage) are estimated at more than $69,000 annually, with a total lifetime cost per family of $3 million. These challenges make funding a college education that much harder. “We know so many families struggling to cope with the financial impact of MS,” says Jim Roberts, president of New Jersey Metro Chapter of the National MS Society. “This is why we are fighting this often hidden effect of multiple sclerosis – because MS shouldn’t stand in the way of an education.”
Ms. Ravitz who grew up with a parent with MS experienced firsthand the all of the struggles associated with the disease. This is why she has made the MS Scholarship Program her passion and works tirelessly each year to see that all those who would like to further their education have the opportunity to do so. Mr. Revello was diagnosed with MS in 1995 and since then he has taken the lead in raising money for many of the New Jersey Metro Chapter’s programs and services. Joe and his wife Denise made the scholarship program a priority for their fundraising efforts because they recognize the struggles of families who are coping with the financial impact of MS and believe that MS shouldn’t stand in the way of an education. For more information about the New Jersey Metro Chapter’s Scholarship Program please contact Patti Pasquino at 201-967-5599 extension 43206 or patti.pasquino@nmss.org.
National Scholar
Krista Collopy
Funding provided by Teva Neuroscience
New Jersey Metro Chapter
Mother with MS
Krista is a person who truly lives the old adage,”When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” Her beloved mom struggles with progressive MS and her devoted father was the family mainstay until he suddenly passed away from a brain tumor. This left the role of primary caregiver to Krista, who was 9. Yet she is grateful for all the help and love given to her from others, including the National MS Society. For nine years she has been the captain of Krista’s Crew, a Bike MS team founded by her dad. Over the years, she and her friends and family have raised over $50,000 for the MS cause. She sees this feat as “paying it forward” for all the support she has received.
Krista Collopy on receiving a scholarship from the National MS Society:
“I opened the scholarship hoping I would be lucky enough to receive $100 to buy a few books for college. Reading that I was receiving a $12,000 scholarship came completely unexpected. This award is going to help me go through college, and that touches me greatly.
Now a days it is hard to find an organization that gives, but that is what the National MS Society does. The scholarship it is going to change my life, college is something that I have always wanted to do. Thank you because now I know it is completely in my reach and I will not have to constantly worry about money. This scholarship is going take me to great places.
And the most exciting part about it, it is going to be used to give right back to where I got it from. In college I want to study Public Relations, because I really love to work with people. My dream in life is to work for the National MS Society.”
MS Hope for a Cure Scholars
MS Hope For a Cure's mission is to raise money to find a cure for MS and to support those individuals and their families living with MS until a cure is found. MS Hope for a Cure was founded by Elissa (EJ) Levy in 2007. Since being diagnosed with MS in 2002, EJ had been working closely with the National MS Society. The last four years MS Hope for a Cure has generously given to the New Jersey Metro Chapter’s Scholarship program, helping our students move their education forward.
