MS Society of Canada starts annual Read-a-Thon fundraiser Oct. 14
Children encouraged to read for a month to help people with multiple sclerosis
The MS Society of Canada is hosting its annual MS Read-a-Thon, a fundraiser where children are encouraged to read for a month to support people with multiple sclerosis (MS) in their community.
Funds raised will help boost the organization’s support programs for patients and research into a cure for MS. So far, 820 participants have registered on the initiative’s website and raised nearly $8,000. The event will kick off Oct. 14 and runs through Nov. 15.
“Thousands of people across Canada join MS Read-a-Thon every year and demonstrate the power that community can have when we come together,” Amanda Zamperin, MS Canada’s director of community fundraising for WeChallenge MS, said in a press release. “MS Read-a-Thon inspires parents, teachers, and kids alike to take action and support Canadians living with MS, showing kids the value of charitable giving and ultimately moving us closer to a world free of MS.”
Registration is free and can be done by parents, who can add up to five children to their account, or teachers, who can register a class and send links for parents to register their kids. Adults can also register without adding children, as can teams or groups who want to participate.
Each participant will have their own webpage, where they can select an avatar and keep track of the books they read. Kids’ progress will be tracked by parents or teachers. The link can be shared with friends and family, and on parents’ social media, asking for donations for the child’s page.
Turning a ‘passion for reading’ into helping MS
For every new fundraising milestone, participants can earn reward badges, stars, and avatar updates.
“The invisible aspects of MS are hard to grasp, especially for a kid, and I wanted to put my family’s experience into perspective since I know many Canadians out there are in a similar situation” said Darcie Naslund, MS ambassador and the author of “My Mom is NOT a Superhero,” an illustrated children’s book. “By turning their passion for reading into action, MS Read-a-Thon is a great way to help kids learn about MS and teach them what it means to be strong, even in the face of adversity.”
The organization also provides fundraising tips for children, such as doing extra chores around the house and reading in a fun way in exchange for donations, or selling toys they’ve grown out of.
Funds will support services such as the MS Knowledge Network, an MS Canada hub that offers information about MS and its related disorders, including how to manage symptoms, research advances, or available resources and assistance services in their community. Other programs include 1:1 Peer Support sessions, telephone- or internet-based, where people with MS and caregivers can share questions or MS-related issues with volunteers who’ve similar experiences. There’s also Time at Home, a virtual fitness program for people with mobility difficulties to stay active and improve their balance and strength.
“MS Read-a-Thon … not only fosters a love of reading in children but also teaches them the importance of giving back,” said Kimberley Kordov, MS ambassador and the author of “The Tale of the Toy Troll” children’s book. “As a family, we are proud to support this initiative, which helps over 90,000 Canadians living with MS.
Kordov participated in the MS Read-a-Thon as a child. “I’m excited to see a new generation of readers embrace the cause and raise funds for a community so close to us,” she said.
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