Isabelle LeClaire may only be nine years old, but that isn’t stopping her from being one of the top fundraisers in the state for the National MS Society- GA chapter. When asked why she does it, Isabelle states her answer without hesitation.  “To help my mommy and grandma, because I don’t want to have MS when I grow up and I don’t want my kids to be scared like I am.”   

 

Isabelle’s paternal grandmother has MS and her mother, Jessica, was diagnosed almost four years ago.  “It was pretty crazy when I found out,” Jessica said.  “We’re very passionate about MS in our family.”  Every year, the family participates in Walk MS- Marietta.  Last year, the team “LeClaire Lions” was made up of 150 people.  Of the $11,000.00 the group raised from raw donations, Isabelle raised $3,900.00 from selling bracelets.  “She’s sold bracelets to people all over the country who found out about it, and we make them in our little dining room.”  Jessica says family and friends bought the bracelets first, but soon word spread.  “Then she actually made them at school last year.  This year we have thirty kids in her class along with the teachers make bracelets at school and sell them to the school kids.  It’s pretty awesome.  They’re selling for $5 and $10 apiece, that’s a lot of bracelets.”

 

Jessica says “I want to make my entire family is aware of MS and my diagnosis, so we can find a cure together.  I don’t want my kids, especially Isabelle, to have to hear the words ‘you have MS’.  That’s my biggest fear.  So we will fight until there’s a cure.”

 

Isabelle is #15 in the Walk MS: Georgia Top 100 Club, raising $3,984.  She hopes to make the list again this year.  100% of the bracelet proceeds go to the National MS Society.  To find out more or to order the bracelets, go to: facebook.com/leclairelions.

 

Young, or old you too have the power to connect to end MS forever. Contact the Georgia Chapter to get involved in the movement. Visit, walkms.org for information on Walk MS: Georgia.