MSAA Hosts First Virtual ‘Improving Lives Benefit’ on May 13

Despite the current challenging times, the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) will host its annual Improving Lives Benefit this year, albeit virtually. The May 13 event will spotlight the nonprofit organization’s community efforts over more than 50 years.

The affair will be hosted by multiple sclerosis (MS) advocate Tyler Campbell, whose dreams of following his father, former NFL great Earl Campbell, to professional football were derailed when he was diagnosed with MS while playing the sport in college.

“When one door closes, another opens,” Campbell said in a press release. “I view my diagnosis as an opportunity to share my experience to help others.”

The event will also feature benefit awardees, including the Puerto Rico Multiple Sclerosis Foundation as the “mission” honoree.

Over the last year, the MSAA worked alongside representatives from the San Juan Multiple Sclerosis Center and the Puerto Rico Multiple Sclerosis Foundation to help the MS community in Puerto Rico, which has been hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as catastrophic earthquakes. The effort resulted in community access to MSAA’s programs, services, and other resources. The benefit will specifically honor Angel Chinea, MD, medical director of the San Juan center, and Lourdes Fernandez Trujillo, the foundation’s executive director.

“We are extremely honored to recognize members of the MS community during our very first virtual Improving Lives Benefit hosted by the dynamic Tyler Campbell,” said Gina Ross Murdoch, MSAA president and CEO. “We are also very pleased to present … the Puerto Rico Multiple Sclerosis Foundation with the recognition [it] so greatly deserve for [its] incredible work in support of the MS community throughout the years.”

General individual tickets are $50, premium tickets are $150, and corporate tickets are $250. The goal is to raise $170,000 to benefit the MSAA. Go here to register. For more information, contact Kaitlyn Gallagher at 800-532-7667, ext. 122, or via email at [email protected].

Over the years, MSAA has developed several initiatives to support the MS community. These include a MS-focused magazine, a program to help people with MS making treatment decisions, a mobile phone application to help track disease activity and manage clinical information, educational programs across the country, and an online support forum.

Founded in 1970, the association celebrated its 50th anniversary last year.