Donations to MS Society of Canada Triple in Value Through Dec. 31

by Margarida Maia, PhD | December 28, 2021

An image showing sprouting young trees surrounded by coins.

Donations to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada through the end of this year will be double matched, meaning each donation will go three times as far in supporting Canadians with multiple sclerosis (MS) and in advancing research into the disease.

All donations received until midnight on Dec. 31 will be matched by an anonymous donor, up to a total of CA$200,000 (about $156,000). According to the society, a donation of CA$25 made in the next couple of days will be tripled to CA$75, while CA$100 will become CA$300. Go here for more information on how to donate and help MS research.

“With your help, we can continue to fund critical ground-breaking  MS  research and providing support services that inch us ever closer to a world without MS,” Pam Valentine, president and CEO of MS Society of Canada, said in a press release.

Learning to Embrace My ‘Hot Wheels’

The year-end donations will be used to accelerate research already supported by the MS Society of Canada. The group invested more than CA$2.6 million in 2021 funding for new research into the prevention, treatment, and care of MS.

Money raised will also be used to continue supporting patients and their families with services and educational resources. These range from the MS Knowledge Network — a hub providing information on MS and support for anyone across Canada — to the Quality-of-Life Equipment Program — grants toward the purchase of mobility and safety equipment.

“Thanks to our supporters, we’ve been able to  stand strong  during the pandemic. We will continue to be unrelenting in seeking to meet the needs of people affected by MS,” Valentine said.

Anna Giannakourus of Montreal found help through the MS community in adjusting to the challenges of living with the disease. Giannakourus knows how important it is to give back to that community.

“I’ve always been a giving person but after being diagnosed with MS, I’ve made it a priority to donate to help other Canadians living with this disease,” Giannakourus said. “What’s important in life is that we connect with others, and we support each other. There’s nothing better than helping people that are in need.”

More than 90,000 people in Canada are affected by MS, the society reports, and 12 Canadians are on average diagnosed with the disease each day.

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About the Author

Margarida Maia, PhD Margarida is a biochemist (University of Porto, Portugal) with a PhD in biomedical sciences (VIB and KULeuven, Belgium). Her main interest is science communication. She is also passionate about design and the dialogue between art and science.