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The Connecticut-Rhode Island Chapter works to improve the quality of life for people affected by MS in Connecticut and Rhode Island raise funds for critical MS research. Join the movement toward a world free of MS.

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BROOKFIELD STUDENT TO RECEIVE 2012 MS SCHOLARSHIP

June 19, 2012

 

BROOKFIELD, Conn. – Kevin Schulze, Brookfield, has been named to receive the National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter’s, 2012 Hayley’s Hope and Michaela’s Miracle MS Memorial Scholarship.

Schulze, 18, who graduated from Brookfield High School, will attend the University of Tampa, in Tampa, Fla., this fall. He plans to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in forensic science.

Schulze is a member of his schools SADD club. He is an Eagle Scout. Schulze also volunteers at local churches and for his town. He works in the childcare and after school program at the YMCA of Western Connecticut.

In 2002, Schulze’s mother, Dawn, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a potentially debilitating disease. A couple years later she was also diagnosed with diabetes.

“Thinking about all these things happening to my mom, I realized that I wanted to become a bio-medical scientist,” said Schulze, who took on a great deal of responsibility at an early age. “I really didn’t want to see my mom suffer anymore, so I realized I wanted to pursue this field to help discover cures for many diseases. I promised my mom that I would try to find a cure for her disease.”

More than 6,000 Connecticut residents, like Dawn Schulze, have multiple sclerosis, and autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system. Multiple sclerosis generally affects women more than men and is most often diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50. Symptoms can include numbness and tingling in the limbs, difficulties with speech and vision and, in some severe cases, complete paralysis. There is no cure for multiple sclerosis.

Kevin Schulze was recognized by the National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter, at its annual Hayley’s Hope and Michaela’s Miracle MS Memorial Scholarship Reception, which was held at the Country Club of Farmington, Thursday, June 7. He is one of 10 high school graduates receiving a 2012 Hayley’s Hope and Michaela’s Miracle MS Memorial Scholarship and one of 14 students overall receiving a college scholarship from other chapter funds, including the Jo-Ann Concilio Memorial Fund and the Corn-Carter Family Scholarship.

Petit family scholarships are made possible through the Hayley’s Hope and Michaela’s Miracle MS Memorial Fund, which specifically supports National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter, family programs. The fund was established in 2007 by the Petit family to honor the memory of Jennifer Hawke-Petit, who had MS, and her daughters Hayley and Michaela, who were active with the chapter, helping to raise funds to support scientific research for a cure and local programs and services. The National MS Society scholarship program is offered annually to vocational, technical, or college-bound high school seniors diagnosed with multiple sclerosis or to applicants whose parent has multiple sclerosis.

Scholarship applications for the 2013 school year will be available online in October. For more information on MS or for additional information on 2013 MS scholarship criteria, please contact the Connecticut Chapter at 860-913-2550 or visitwww.ctfightsMS.org.

6/19/12

About the Connecticut-Rhode Island Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society

The Connecticut Chapter strives to provide knowledge and assistance to help people with MS and their families maintain the highest possible quality of life. These goals are achieved through vital national and local programs.

About Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted, but advances in research and treatment are leading to better understanding and moving us closer to a world free of MS. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with at least two to three times more women than men being diagnosed with the disease. MS affects more than 2.3 million people worldwide.

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