Patti Barker
Since daughter Channing’s MS diagnosis at the age of 16 in 2006, Patti has been a driving force of the MS Movement in the South Central Region. Patti Chairs the Oklahoma Government Relations Committee and serves on the Oklahoma Leadership Council and the Region’s Board of Trustees. As she tells legislators, “With your support, one day MS will equal “Mystery Solved.” With Patti on our team, it most certainly will.
Yvonne Brown
Yvonne Brown has advocated for MS and disability rights for 8 years. She played a significant role in the Social Security Administration’s Compassionate Allowances Outreach Hearing on Autoimmune Diseases, providing a testimony that inspired legislators to add an aggressive form of MS to qualify for aid. Through Advocacy Days and Public Policy Conferences, Yvonne has established relationships with local and national government officials, developing strategies to elicit action that benefits the various faces of MS.
Linda Y. Buchwald, M.D.
Linda Y. Buchwald is the Director of the Mt. Auburn Hospital MS Care Center, a member of the National MS Society’s Medical Advisory Board and the chapter’s Clinical Advisory Committee and a past member of the Massachusetts Government Relations Committee. Linda is a tireless and enthusiastic activist who has inspired others to join the advocacy movement. She has championed federal state, and private sector advocacy issues to ensure access to quality health care for all MS patients.
Robin D'Andrea
Robin has been living with MS for 15 years. She joined the Long Island Chapter’s Government Relations Committee over 10 years ago and has co-chaired the committee for about eight years. Robin also co-leads the Society’s We Are Activists Steering and Implementation committees. She is a Licensed Social Worker with a background in advocacy and mental health.
Michel C. “Mike” Daisley
Mike Daisley is a dedicated volunteer leader who, for over 32 years, has made advocacy a focus of his life. He uses his network of political connections to raise the profile of the Society’s priorities, regularly using his skills to make these priorities relevant to state leaders and people living with MS. His leadership has helped the Chapter develop a successful advocacy network and expanded its reach by building relationships and developing coalition partners.
Bonnie Danowski
As an advocate for 22 years, Bonnie has brought the value of caregivers into the public arena through legislation, state councils and committees, agencies and providers. In 2005, she helped to begin and develop the Arizona Chapter’s Government Relations Committee, where the focus is on the needs of the person with M.S. and their caregivers. Bonnie’s inspiration has been her husband of 46 years, Jim, who was diagnosed with M.S. 40 years ago.
Nan Luke
Diagnosed with MS over 25 years ago, Nan began treatment in 1997 and reprioritized her life to include service to the Society. She is a practicing attorney focusing on employment law, the chair of the Pacific South Coast Chapter’s GRC and a member of the board of trustees. She is also a member of the Patient Advocacy Committee at the University of California, Irvine and a dedicated leader in the disability community.