Each year, the Society recognizes one family that has made significant financial contributions to our mission.  This year the Greater Northwest Chapter’s very own Alvord Family was recognized with this extraordinary distinction.  To date, three generations of the family have contributed more than $3 million to support the work of the National MS Society!

Jim O’Donnell will receive one of the highest awards the Society bestows upon volunteers: the Society’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Jim has supported the Society for more than 30 years, lending his time and talent to move our mission forward in impressive ways. 

For the second time in six years, Dr. Eugene May was inducted in to the National MS Society’s Volunteer Hall of Fame. While Dr. May was recognized for his contributions to Advocacy in 2009, he was more recently acknowledged for the exceptional care he provides to people with MS when he received the the Health Professional Hall of Fame award.

Haggen earned their spot in the Volunteer Hall of Fame as a result of their long history of community involvement and philanthropy that has helped those affected by MS.

"Receiving the scholarship had meant a great deal to me. Not just financially, my family and I already bear a brunt of costs with my medical care and medicines, but the social benefit as well. It warms my heart to know people out there care to assist people with their desire for higher education."

Receiving the Society's scholarship is meaningful to me because I know that I am supported in my efforts to achieve my dreams. Receiving this scholarship makes me feel that the society believes in me. It is comforting to know that there is help available for people that live with MS as part of their daily lives.

“Receiving this scholarship at the time I did was an indescribable blessing, as it was exactly what I needed to pay that last bit of tuition, as well as provide the psychological boost I needed to believe that I could handle taking on the larger course load and survive as a family without my income.”

“In the end, I'm not sure yet how everything will turn out, but I do know this: Someday I will be able to look a patient in the eyes and say, ‘Don't worry. We have a cure.’”

When I was nine, I realized the severity of my mom’s disease. While driving us to a New Year's Eve party at our church, she completely lost her sight. I was terrified! The blindness was temporary, but turned into severe double vision.

“No matter how much good you do, you may get some bad in return and when you get it you can't let it change who you are and what you believe.”

My dad has taught me the power of sacrifice, and that for the ones you love, no sacrifice is too big. He never let any struggles he faced be known to his work or family; he pushed through for us.

“My mom accepts her MS and doesn't want anyone to feel sorry for her; she wants to show everyone that multiple sclerosis will not stop her. Her fearless attitude has rubbed off on me and I could not be more grateful.”

“[My mom] has inspired me to excel even in the face of difficulties; I have watched her refuse to let MS hold her back, even though it is by no means easy. In everything she strives to be her best and in doing so she has inspired me to do my best as well and to work hard even when it hurts.”

Cermit Rickey of Tacoma, Washington is the first to admit that he had “no idea what he was doing” when he agreed to join the Society’s advocacy efforts for his first-ever State Action Day. He had participated in Society sponsored self-help groups for years but he had little experience in advocacy or politics. That leap of faith in 2006, quickly turned Cermit into a life-long advocate.

When it comes to being part of the MS movement, Scott is a jack of all trades. Whether he’s capturing photos at Bike MS or Walk MS, leading as a team captain, or meeting with his legislators at the Capitol, the depth and breadth of Scott’s experience demonstrates his commitment to ending MS forever.

Long-time MS activist, Gayle Rundstrom, knows how to connect with others. She builds relationships with community members, legislators, and social media contacts – all to raise awareness about MS and help move us toward a world free of MS.

Martin and Lisa Boon first became connected with the Society in the early 1990s after Lisa was diagnosed with MS. They have participated in and volunteered at countless Bike MS and Walk MS events, and joined the Washington State Action Day. Lisa leads a local self-help group, is an MS Ambassador, and regularly volunteers to lead educational programs in her community.

Alaska State Senator, Dennis Egan, has a long history of public service. Whether it’s his time as Juneau mayor, assembly member, planning commissioner, or member of the Juneau of Chamber of Commerce, he has a dynamic history of involvement in his community. The Senator also lives with multiple sclerosis.

We asked Sen. Dennis Egan to share his thoughts on why connecting with his constituents are important – and how to make the most of a visit.