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Winter/2006
Letter From the President p.2
Research p.6
Chapter Programs p.10
Development p.15
Dates to Remember p.23
Self Help p.22
Visit our website at www.kynmss.org
How to appeal when your health plan
refuses your claim
by Kimberly Calder, MPS, Manager, Health Insurance Initiative
ou or your
the treatment in queshealth-care
tion, or the coverage is
provider filed
unclear, or your denial
an insurance claim; it
notice says the item or
bounced back to you
service is “not medimarked denied. What
cally necessary”, it is to
can you do? If you beyour advantage to try
lieve the service, device,
an appeal.
treatment, or medication you received
Carefully review
should have been
the explanation
covered, you can and
of benefits (EOB)
should appeal.
Read the EOB form, the official response
Many people don’t pursue their apto your claim the company sent you.
peal rights because they don’t believe
Make sure you understand the reason
they can win. But when done correctly,
you were denied coverage or why you
over half of all appeals are ultimately
were reimbursed less money than you
awarded in favor of the insured person.
expected. The explanations often appear
Start by reviewing your plan manual
as codes on the front of the form, with
to make sure what you thought would be
explanatory notes at the bottom or on
covered really is. It’s not unusual for peothe back.
ple to discover that a medical service or
• Is there a simple explanation, such as
treatment is not covered by their policy.
the claim is a duplicate?
If something is specifically excluded from
the written policy, the chances of win• Is there a mistake in the billing code,
ning coverage for it on appeal are slim to
patient identification number, date of
none.
service, or the like? Call your insurer
But if the policy does not mention
with the correct information.
Y
(continued page 14)
WINTER2006
502-451-0014 or 1-800-FIGHT-MS
Publication of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (Kentucky-Southeast Indiana Chapter)
Chairman
Mark Carter
T
he Holiday Season has come and
gone. A new year begins with hopes
and dreams for a cure for MS and
better treatments to help improve the
quality of life of those affected by MS.
I want to thank everyone who has
contributed to making an every day
difference in the lives of people affected
by MS. We are looking at new and exciting
ways to contribute even more to this effort.
I hope that you will join with us as we
share these developments with you over the
coming weeks and months.
Vice Chairman
Don Gerard, Jr.
Treasurer
David Kottack
Secretary
Jeff Norton
Chapter President
Douglas Dressman
Newsletter Editor
Kelley Reeves
Studies show that early and ongoing
treatment with an FDA-approved therapy
can reduce future disease activity and
improve quality of life for many people
with multiple sclerosis. National MS
Society medical advisors recommend
that people with MS talk with their health
care professionals about taking one of
these medications and about strategies
and effective treatments to manage their
symptoms.
If you or someone you know has MS
please contact the National Multiple
Sclerosis Society today at
www.nationalmssociety.org or
1-800-FIGHT-MS to learn about ways
to help manage multiple sclerosis and
about current research that may one day
reveal a cure.
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society
is dedicated to ending the devastating
effects of MS.
Letter from the president
One new effort of the Kentucky-Southeast
Indiana Chapter is to participate in the
National MS Society College Scholarship
Program for the first time. Information on
the scholarship program is available on page
18. We are both encouraging applications to
the program and donations to support our
ability to award scholarships.
As always, I encourage you to feel free to
email me at [email protected],
call me at 502-451-0014 or 1-800-FIGHTMS, option 2, ext. 223 or write to me at
the Chapter office, 11700 Commonwealth
Drive, Suite 500, Louisville, KY 40299,
if you have any questions, suggestions
or comments regarding the work of the
Chapter or the National MS Society.
Thank you for your continued support and
involvement.
Sincerely,
Douglas C. Dressman
Chapter President
© 2006 The National Multiple Sclerosis
Society, Kentucky-Southeast Indiana
Chapter
Toll-Free Number: 1 800 FIGHT MS
W E L L NESS
Keeping Stress in Check
I
“Stress is usually in
response to some event
in the environment,”
Dr. Mohr said. “Anticipating and planning
for potentially stressful
events can take much
of the pressure off and
keep stress at bay.”
Dr. Miller agreed.
“If you’re overwhelmed
with tasks, delegate
work to others. Even
money worries can be
reduced by getting help
with financial plan-
Bill Stanton
s your body trying to tell you
that you’re too
stressed out?
Common signs of
unhealthy levels of
stress include constantly feeling irritable or resentful, being easily distracted,
or short and shallow
breathing.
“You find it difficult to concentrate,
and you may feel
jumpy or easily agitated,” said Deborah Miller, PhD, director of Comprehensive Care at the Cleveland Clinic Mellen Center for MS. “You
may not be able to manage things you’re
used to dealing with every day.”
Too much stress
David Mohr, PhD, an associate professor in the departments of Psychiatry and
Neurology at the University of California,
San Francisco, is an expert in MS and
stress. He analyzed and reported on 14
studies on MS and stress for the March
19, 2004 British Medical Journal.
“It’s still unclear if stress causes MS
exacerbations or if it’s just a statistical association,” Dr. Mohr said. “But we know
too much stress takes a toll.”
Dr. Miller agreed: “Stress can increase
blood pressure. The sooner you pinpoint
the source of stress and reduce it, the less
likely it is to worsen.”
Stress-busting tips
Dr. Mohr breaks stress-reduction into
three categories:
• Controlling your environment.
ning.”
• Adjusting your perceptions. “How
you interpret an event can strongly determine your response to it,” Dr. Mohr
said. “It’s good to stop and think through
things, to consider whether something is
as bad as it might seem, or if your response is mostly emotional.”
“When you’re really stressed, you
may not be able to see the parts for the
whole,” Dr. Miller said. “Locating specific
concerns that you have and then thinking
through them one at a time may relieve
stress.”
• Taking care of your body. Dr. Mohr
advises people to learn how to calm the
body down—through yoga, meditation,
or relaxation exercises. “The more you
practice these disciplines, the better you
get at them,” he said.
Read more about stress and what you can
do in the Society’s booklet Taming Stress
in MS. Call us at 1-800-FIGHT-MS and
ask for a copy, or read it online at nationalmssociety.org/Brochures-TamingStress1.asp.
Visit our website at www.kynmss.org
WINTER2006
NE W S
MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG
BENEFIT UPDATE
A
ccording to a recent USA Today/
CNN/ Gallup survey, more than
half of Medicare beneficiaries
do not understand the new Medicare Rx
drug benefit. Just a reminder, there are a
number of resources to guide you.
Enrollment Information
• www.medicare.gov has tools to help
you decide about coverage, select an
Rx plan, and find the nearest location
for personal assistance.
General Information
• Medicare & You 2006 handbook was
sent to every Medicare household. If
you haven’t received one, call 1-800MEDICARE.
• If you are eligible for the low-income
subsidy, be aware of an error in the
Medicare & You 2006 handbook. It incorrectly states that all plans available
to low-income beneficiaries will charge
no premium. About 40% will not
charge a premium. Check carefully.
National MS Society Resources
• 1-800-MEDICARE will connect you to
a person who can answer questions.
• Medicare Rx News on the nationalmssociety.org home page will direct you
to the most current information.
• Medicare Rx Connect, www.maprx.
info, has a useful FAQ section on eligibility, enrollment, and costs.
• MS Learn Online about Medicare Part
D, “Understanding the Facts, Understanding Your Options,” premieres
The following Corporate Stars have demonstrated
a significant commitment of financial support,
expertise, public awareness and volunteer support
to the Kentucky-Southeast Indiana Chapter in
our efforts to end the devastating effects of MS.
Berlex
Publisher’s Printing
Biogen
Scheller’s Fitness and Cycling
Fischer’s Meats
Serono/Pfizer
GE
Teva Neuroscience
Kindred Healthcare
Toyota Motor Manufacuring,
Kentucky, Inc.
Mac Construction and
Excavating, Inc.
Power Creative
Toll-Free Number: 1 800 FIGHT MS
UPS
NE W S
December 1, 2005, at 8:00 a.m. ET.
To join the Webcast, or to view it after
December 1 in the archives, go to nationalmssociety.org/mslearnonline.
• Call us at 1-800-FIGHT-MS (1-800344-4867) if you have questions or if
problems arise.
TYSABRI UPDATE
Safety and final trial results from studies
of Tysabri (natalizumab) for use by people with MS were presented to the FDA
for evaluation in early fall by Biogen Idec
and Elan Corporation, Tysabri’s sponsors. This raises the possibility that the
drug may return to the market. Tysabri was suspended last February following the diagnosis of PML (progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy)
in two people being given both Tysabri
and Avonex. According to the companies,
there have been no new cases of PML
confirmed in people with MS. See our
Web site for detailed information (keyword Tysabri) or call us for a paper copy. The FDA would like to hear from people
with MS about Tysabri. Tel: 888-INFOFDA; e-mail: [email protected]; mail: Office of Special Health Issues, FDA, HF-12,
Room 9-49, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville,
MD 20857.
KNOW YOUR NAbs
One of the more controversial debates
about MS therapies concerns neutralizing
antibodies—NAbs for short. Antibodies
are immune system proteins, which the
body naturally creates to fight off foreign
substances, such as viruses and bacteria.
Some people taking Avonex, Betaseron,
or Rebif—the three interferon-based
disease-modifying MS drugs—develop a
form of antibody to these drugs. Scien-
tists call them “neutralizing” antibodies
because they can sometimes interfere
with, or neutralize, the effects of the
interferon. NAbs potentially render the
drug less effective.
Not everyone taking an interferon
develops NAbs, and some who develop
NAbs continue to do well on their interferon. Copaxone (glatiramer acetate) is a
different type of drug, and the antibodies
that develop in response to it do not appear to have any clinical significance.
What is known about NAbs
Neutralizing antibodies typically develop
a year to 18 months after a person has
begun treatment. NAbs occur least often
in people taking Avonex, but researchers
do not know if this is because Rebif and
Betaseron are taken more frequently, or
if the difference is related to the ways the
drugs are made, the dosage levels, or the
routes of delivery. (Avonex is injected
into muscle; Rebif and Betaseron are injected just under the skin.)
Conclusions
Some people continue to do well in spite
of testing positive for NAbs, and decisions about treatment should be based
on how well a person is doing, rather
than on whether a person has tested
positive for NAbs. A change to the noninterferon medication (Copaxone) might
be considered in someone whose disease
remains active and who then tests positive for NAbs more than once.
People concerned about NAbs should
read the Society’s clinical update at nationalmssociety.org/Clinup-Antibodies.
asp (or call us at 1-800-FIGHT-MS to
request a copy) and discuss these matters
with their health-care professional.
Visit our website at www.kynmss.org
WINTER2006
R e s e a r c h
Zeroing in on pregnancy and MS
I
t’s been said that the best treatment
for MS is pregnancy. A woman with
relapsing MS will experience significantly fewer MS relapses during a pregnancy. The reduction can be higher than
the results of a disease-modifying drug
(Betaseron, Copaxone, Avonex, or Rebif).
than one member has MS may want to
discuss the potential for increased risk
with a genetic counselor. If you have
questions about having children, call us
for a list of specialists in this area.
Does recent research offer
new insights?
Taming the postpartum flare
Suzanne King and her daughter, Sara
Some studies show a spike in the number
of relapses during the first six months after childbirth. Then, a woman’s MS tends
to return to her pre-pregnancy pattern.
Many studies confirm that pregnancy has
no long-term effect, either good or bad,
on the course of the MS.
Potential parents need to plan for the
unpredictability of MS. Losses in ability
require adaptation and almost certainly
some extra help.
For most people with MS, the risk of
having a child who will develop the disease is well within the limits of “normal”
risk. But people in families where more
Gammaglobulins Post Pregnancy
in MS: A multicenter study in Europe
looked at the effects of two different
doses of immuno-globulins, given intravenously (IVIG). These are blood-derived antibodies believed to moderate
the immune system. The 163 women in
the study received IVIG within 24 hours
of birth and then once a month for six
months. Irrespective of the dose, the
treated women had no increases in expected relapses during the six months.
Pregnancy in MS Study (PRIMS): Data
from this 1998 study of 227 women were
analyzed for factors that might predict
relapses in the first three months after
childbirth. They found a trend, but not
very powerful evidence: Women who had
the most relapses before pregnancy had
a slightly increased chance of a higher
number of relapses after their babies
were born.
Analysis failed to find any significant
connections between relapses and breastfeeding, epidural anesthetic during labor,
age at pregnancy, age when MS developed, length of time the woman had had
MS, number of previous pregnancies, or
the sex of the baby.
Both these studies need to be confirmed by other studies. IVIG treatment is
considered experimental.
(continued next page, bottom)
Toll-Free Number: 1 800 FIGHT MS
M A N A G IN G
MS
If you are new to MS…
W
hat do you do now? The National MS Society has many
resources for you and your
family to explore. Here are some suggestions on where to begin.
Knowledge Is Power is a free education program of 8 weekly
mailings sent to your e-mail
or postal address on such
issues as treatment options
and the impact of MS on the
family. Sign up online at nationalmssociety.org/Knowledge, or call
us.
We want to be your mainline to services. Our offerings include physician
referrals and self-help groups.
Our Web site houses more than 3,000
pages of up-to-date information on MS.
For easy access, click on the words “Site
Map”, located in the upper-right corner
of every page, just beneath the search
icon.
To network with others, there are chat
rooms and message boards. Sign up at
nationalmssociety.org/chat.asp.
Brochures and other publications are
all available on the Web site. The Newly
Diagnosed page at nationalmssociety.
org/NewlyDiagnosed links to brochures
on topics ranging from MS drug treatments to choosing a health-care provider.
If you don’t have Web access, call us.
Publications for families are also on
this page. Click on the icon for Teen
InsideMS, our
quarterly Webzine by and for
teens affected by MS. For younger kids,
Keep S’myelin is available in print and as
an interactive Web site. The icon will take
you there.
And if you’d like someone to talk to
or to be added to the chapter’s mailing
list, call us at 1-800-FIGHT-MS (1-800344-4867). This is why we’re here.
Zeroing in on pregnancy and MS (continued)
Safety of disease-modifying
Pregnancy registries
The FDA has asked the pharmaceutical
drugs in pregnancy
EMPATIE Study on Pregnancy and
MS Therapies: Researchers reviewed the
records of 36 pregnancies in women
who had been taking interferon beta.
All stopped the drug for the duration
of pregnancy, but 8 pregnancies were
unplanned. These women took their
medication for 2–3 weeks before becoming aware of their condition. The others
stopped before the pregnancy occurred.
The rate of miscarriage (25%) was identical in both groups.
companies that sell interferon-based MS
drugs to track pregnancy experiences. Ask
your health-care provider or call for information. Participation is voluntary and
strictly confidential. And important for
future knowledge.
Avonex Pregnancy Registry: 800-8110104
Rebif Pregnancy Registry: 877-447-3243
The Betaseron Pregnancy Registry was being evaluated by the FDA at press time.
Visit our website at www.kynmss.org
W A Y S
TO
FIVE TIPS FOR YEAR-END
GIVING
Like most people, you probably do the
majority of your charitable giving toward the end of the year. Income tax
laws make this the “season of giving” for
personal and charitable gifts. This year,
donors may take a 100% tax deduction
for all contributions to eligible charities—such as the National MS Society—
made between August 28 and December
31. The Katrina Emergency Tax Relief Act
is not restricted to hurricane relief; it is
meant to encourage relief of all kinds.
We hope these tips help:
1. Calculate your income.
Take the time to do some planning while
you still have the opportunity to make a
year-end charitable gift. If you will owe
more taxes this year, you may want to
create a larger charitable tax deduction
for yourself by increasing your giving
before December 31.
Our response to the
hurricanes of 2005
In September, as the scope of devastation wrought by Katrina became clear,
we created a dedicated page on our Web
site, nationalmssociety.org/hurricane,
to provide resources and information to
the MS community. It includes updated
information on local resources, referrals, prescription and over-the-counter
drugs, Medicare, Medicaid, and more.
If you know someone with MS who
has been affected by this year’s hurricanes, please help us help them. Let
them know that information about
how to get help is available at the URL
above.
WINTER2006
G I V E
2. Talk to your advisor(s).
Before making any significant gift to the
Society have your CPA, attorney or other
advisor determine the impact of your gift
on your income tax return and estate.
The Society encourages you to give prudently, joyfully, and generously.
3. Do your giving early.
This is especially true for gifts of noncash assets (stock, real estate, etc.) or
for life-income gifts (gift annuities, trust
arrangements, etc.). Your professional
advisor(s) and the Society’s Gift Planning
Office will appreciate helping you avoid
the end of year rush with early gift activity.
4. Review your stocks.
Look at the appreciated stocks you have
held for more than a year. It may be prudent for you to make your year-end gift
using appreciated stocks and avoid capital gains tax in the process. By giving the
stock to the Society and allowing us to
sell it, you also get a charitable deduction
for the full value of the stock, just as you
would with gifts of cash.
5. Consider a charitable gift annuity
The Society offers charitable gift annuities, providing you with guaranteed
payments for your life as well as current
tax benefits. Our gift annuity administrator can provide confidential personalized material to assist you and your
advisor(s).
For more information, contact our Gift
Planning Team toll-free at 1-800-9237727 or read more about making a special gift through our Web site at nationalmssociety.org. Click on “Donate” and
then “Guide to Giving”. You can also
contact this chapter by dialing 1-800FIGHT-MS.
Toll-Free Number: 1 800 FIGHT MS
A SK
MS
K NO W - IT - A L L
Dear MS Know-it-All:
I’ve been married for
three years and was
diagnosed with
MS about a year
ago. My husband
and I have always
had a loving and
healthy marriage.
However, since being diagnosed and meeting others with MS whose spouses have left
them, I have become increasingly worried
about what my marriage will look like if my
MS progresses. It seems to me as though a lot
of people who have MS get divorced. Is this
true? How can I help ensure that my marriage won’t fall apart too?
Signed,
Married and Still in Love
Dear Married:
Having a chronic illness can put strain
not only on the person who is ill, but on
the entire family as well. Now you not
only have to navigate all of the normal
marital issues, you may also be faced
with additional concerns over money due
to medical bills, fatigue that prevents you
from doing things you did before, and
possibly even feelings of guilt that your
marriage doesn’t look the way it once
did.
However, not all marriages end in divorce and not all partners’ leave when the
going gets rough. You trusted your partner enough to marry him. Now you must
trust your partner enough to believe that
he loves you unconditionally and will be
there to help you through the bad times
and laugh with you through the good
times.
Two-way communication is key to having healthy and long-lived marriages. If
you are struggling with some new symptom, talk with your partner about the
challenges it may be bringing you. Perhaps, he will not only be able to listen,
but to also provide you suggestions on
how to cope with the changes.
In the end not all marriages, regardless
of a chronic illness, are built to last. If
you begin to feel that your partner is not
meeting your emotional needs, or find
yourself truly unhappy, it may be time to
consider your options. Perhaps marriage
counseling would be helpful in working
through your differences.
Above all, please remember that is never
okay for your partner to emotionally or
physically abuse you. Should you ever
find yourself in that situation it is definitely time to get out. If you currently
live in an abusive situation, please call
911 or the National Domestic Violence
Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE for help. The
Kentucky Domestic Violence Association
has an excellent website: www.kdva.org
that identifies what domestic violence
looks like, how to report it, and what
your rights are under the law. The Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence,
maintains a website that pertains to Indiana laws at www.violenceresource.org/
home.htm.
Send your questions to MS Know It All
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Kentucky – Southeast Indiana Chapter
11700 Commonwealth Drive Suite 500
Louisville, KY 40299
Fax: 502-451-9747
Visit our website at www.kynmss.org
C h a p t e r
WINTER2006
P r o g r a m s
My Favorite Resource
By: Sonya Sandridge, Director of Chapter Programs
I
f you have ever called the Chapter
office looking for information about
MS such as the latest research or
information regarding a “cure” you heard
about from your cousin Millie, have you
ever wondered how the staff gets answers
to the questions you ask? Many times we
can find the answers in our nationwide
database, but sometimes the questions
stump even us.
When that happens, we are able to
turn to my newest favorite resource—the
Information and Resource Center (IRC).
The IRC is a marvelous technological
advance that has helped to bring the National Multiple Sclerosis Society into the
twenty-first century. It is comprised of 20
Information and Referral (I&R) Specialists who are trained to know everything
there is to know about MS, as well as a
host of other things such as Medicare,
Medicaid, insurance issues, employment
issues, and SSDI. The IRC is part of the
National Multiple Sclerosis Society and
is housed in Denver, Colorado. All of the
I&R Specialists are Master’s level college
graduates with expertise in the many facets of life with MS. The best part is, you
too now have access to the specialists!
In our continued quest to bring you
the absolute best services and most reliable information, the Kentucky-Southeast Indiana Chapter is joining a growing
number of other chapters in making the
switch to the IRC centralized call center.
Anytime you need information, or referrals to a local resource, all you have to
do is pick-up the phone and dial 1-800FIGHT-MS and press the number 1. Your
10
call will be answered by one the highly
trained and well respected I&R Specialists.
This will also enable the program
staff at the Chapter to be out in the communities growing resources to help you
during your time of need. We want to
ensure that we have enough neurologists
on our referral list to meet the needs of
folks in Kentucky and Southern Indiana.
We want to ensure that we are looking
under every possible rock to locate financial assistance for those who need it. We
want to ensure that we are doing everything possible to get exercise programs,
such as aquatics and yoga, in as many
communities as possible. And as always,
we want to ensure that you are receiving
top-notch service every time you call for
information. Making this switch will help
us to do all of this and more.
Doug Dressman, Chapter President,
said of the switch to a centralized call
center, “This is an exciting time for the
Kentucky–Southeast Indiana Chapter!
The Programs Director and Manager in
our office have worked relentlessly to
manage I&R calls and coordinate the additional programs we offer. The IRC will
allow the staff added time for growth in
local programs delivery, and will assure
continued customer service and accurate
information to our clients.”
So the next time you are looking for
answers to your questions about MS, call
1-800-FIGHT-MS and let the experts help
you!
Toll-Free Number: 1 800 FIGHT MS
C h a p t e r
P r o g r a m s
Upcoming Couple’s Retreat
P
lease join Baptist Hospital East
MS Clinic, Dr. Stephen Kirzinger
and Len & Cheryl Chatman for a
Couple’s Retreat on March 3 and 4, 2006.
This is an overnight retreat at the Louisville Marriott East for couples. This retreat is designed to offer couples the tools
to: approach MS as a team, discover a
sense of power over your MS, enhance
your interpersonal communication and
renew commitment in your relationship.
This unique retreat is being presented by
Len & Cheryl Chatman.
The Chatman’s have been married 20
years and have a personal connection to
multiple sclerosis. Cheryl was diagnosed
with the RRMS in 1990. Her husband
Len, a marriage enrichment specialist,
takes an active role in helping his wife
manage MS and has developed a passion
for reaching out to carepartners. Together the couple’s main goal is to inspire
others to see MS as an obstacle that can
be overcome.
To register for this program, please
contact Baptist Hospital East MS Clinic at
502-896-7695. The cost for this program
is $15.00 per couple, which includes
overnight accommodations. Space is
very limited. The program will begin on
March 3, 2006 at 6:00 pm and conclude
on March 4, 2006 at 3:00 pm.
The Kentucky-Southeast Indiana Chapter
of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society
is announcing this program as a courtesy to
you. We wish to inform you of this educational opportunity. However, we want to be
clear that the Kentucky-Southeast Indiana
Chapter is not offering or sponsoring this
program. The Society has had no role in developing the content of this program. Should
you choose to participate, you must register
through Baptist Hospital East MS Clinic.
Her Sports magazine
T
he Kentucky-Southeast Indiana Chapter of the National
MS Society has teamed up
with Her Sports magazine
to bring our members and
event participants another
opportunity to raise money in the fight against MS.
Her Sports magazine provides training plans plus
fitness, health, nutrition,
travel and gear information designed for women
who enjoy being active, no matter their
age or experience level.
This collaborative effort will
help keep you or your loved
ones motivated and active
throughout the year, all while
raising money in the fight
against MS. For each subscription sold using the code
QMSS26, Her Sports magazine
will give $5 back to our local
chapter.
QMSS26.
So go to www.hersports.com
and click on the “subscribe”
button and enter code
Visit our website at www.kynmss.org
11
C h a p t e r
WINTER2006
P r o g r a m s
Advocacy Moment
T
Changes to Kentucky Medicaid May Affect You Too!
he Kentucky Medicaid program is
going through changes that could
affect you or your loved ones that
rely on this state service.
On November 19, 2005, staff from the
Chapter Office attended a meeting of the
Pharmacy and Therapeutics Advisory Committee that reports to the Medicaid Oversight Committee. On the agenda, was a
review of policy concerning the four disease
modifying drugs, Avonex, Betaseron, Copaxone, and Rebif used to treat multiple
sclerosis.
The options the committee was to review and approve stated that all disease
modifying therapies should be, “considered
clinically equivalent in effectiveness and
safety. That patients should be prescribed
the most cost effective disease modifying therapy available or if not, the patient
would be required to have prior authorization through Medicaid in order for their
therapy to be covered.”
The MS Society requested time on the
agenda to make a statement against basing
a patient’s MS therapy on economic evaluation. An excerpt from the Chapter’s intended presentation follows:
“It is the position of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society that patients with
a diagnosis of definite MS, be offered the
presently available disease modifying treatments. Since the approved agents are not
equivalent therapies, it is important that
all agents be equally available to the physicians managing MS patients. These drugs
are not as they say, “One stop shopping”.
In fact it is absolutely false to say that all
MS disease modifying therapies are clini12
cally equivalent in efficacy and safety.
Furthermore requiring preauthorization for these medicines substantially limits
their availability to those with MS. There
are a limited number of neurologists with
the expertise and desire to treat persons
with MS in Kentucky. This is due to the low
rate of reimbursement by Medicaid, Medicare and private insurance as well as by the
considerable time investment needed to
properly treat an MS patient. Requiring preauthorization places undue hardship and
burden on both the Medicaid recipient and
treating neurologists. We simply cannot afford to discourage existing and future neurologists from treating the MS population.”
Unfortunately, due to a full agenda, the
committee meeting ran over and the discussion on the disease modifying therapies
has been rescheduled for the January 19th
meeting. Chapter staff is planning to be
there, as well as representatives from the
Louisville Comprehensive MS Center, and
representatives from each of the pharmaceutical companies.
We would love to see you there too.
If you are interested in making a statement
to the committee, concerning these limits
to the disease modifying therapies, please
contact Christopher Stewart at
[email protected] to request five
minutes on the agenda. Or write to your
state representative and let them know how
these knew limits would affect you and
your family.
For more information on getting involved with
advocacy in your area, contact the chapter at
1-800 FIGHT MS.
Toll-Free Number: 1 800 FIGHT MS
D e v e l o p m e n t
Renowned Author, Jacquelyn Michard,
Featured at Third Annual WAMS Luncheon
D
on’t miss our Chapter’s third
annual Women Against MS Luncheon featuring New York Times
best selling author Jacquelyn Mitchard.
The luncheon, scheduled for Thursday,
Feb. 16, 2006, will be held from 11:30 am
– 1:30 pm at The Olmsted in Louisville.
Two thirds of the people living with
MS are women, and women are often
the care providers for everyone else. The
WAMS luncheon creates an opportunity
to empower each other to create a better
future for those living with MS today and
those who haven’t yet been diagnosed.
In her most recent novel, The Breakdown Lane (HarperCollins Publishers,
April 2005), Mitchard provides a sensitive and realistic portrayal of the challenges that can arise when MS is introduced into a family. The author is an
advocate for the National MS Society,
and speaks throughout the US to raise
awareness for MS and to dispel misconceptions about the disease.
Mitchard is the author of the number
one New York Times bestselling novel,
The Deep End
of the Ocean - chosen as the
first book for
Oprah Winfrey’s
Book Club. She
subsequently
wrote five other
novels, The
Most Wanted,
(1998) A Theory
of Relativity,
(2001), Twelve
Times Blessed
(2003), Christmas, Present (2004) and
The Breakdown Lane. The film version
of The Deep End of the Ocean, starring
Michelle Pfeiffer and Whoopi Goldberg,
was released in March 1999.
Tickets for the luncheon are $100 each
and $1,200 for a corporate table of 10. If
you are interested in purchasing tickets, a
corporate table or serving as a table captain, please call the Chapter office at 502451-0014 or 800-FIGHT-MS ext 231.
Buy Your MS Band of Hope Today! - $1
T
soon we will find
the cause and
cure for multiple
sclerosis.
Give them to family, friends and coworkers. Join together to give hope that
All proceeds from the sale of the MS
Band of Hope benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and our mission to
end the devastating effects of MS.
he MS Band of Hope is an opportunity for you to share the MS
cause with others. One side of the
band is embossed with the word “HOPE”
and the other side with the National MS
Society’s web address.
Visit our website at www.kynmss.org
13
MONE Y
WINTER2006
M A TTERS
How to appeal when your health plan refuses your claim (continued)
tion, could be invaluable. If your doctor
Follow your plan’s rules for
thinks a delay in the treatment or therapy
appeal
If your claim seems in order, the next
step is to understand your plan’s Appeal
Procedures. Look in your manual. (It
may be listed under “Grievances and Appeals”.) Follow the procedures carefully,
especially the deadlines—and these
guidelines:
• Write a letter providing the facts and a
concise explanation of why you believe your claim should be paid. Be
business-like, not emotional.
• Keep your letter to one page, but be
sure to include your insurance ID
number, the specific claim number (if
applicable), the name and contact information of your health-care provider, and date of service (if applicable).
• Keep copies of your letter and appeal
form. Keep records of all interactions
with your insurer, including names of
company representatives you speak
with on the phone and relevant dates.
Keep copies of claims, bills, letters,
attachments—anything the company
sends you.
Involve your health-care provider
Discuss your appeal with your healthcare provider and ask for his/her active
support. Send your provider copies of
your appeal letter(s) for his/her records
and to make sure you don’t duplicate efforts. If the dispute is over the necessity
or value of a service or treatment, your
health-care professional’s support in the
form of a letter about your condition,
which refers to scientific studies supporting the benefit of the treatment in ques14
would pose a danger to your health or
result in your inability to regain functions, you should request an “expedited
or accelerated review”. Expedited reviews
typically cut the appeal review time down
to 2 or 3 days.
We can help your health-care
professional
Call our program director if the dispute
is about the medical necessity of specific
drugs, rehabilitation therapy, wheelchairs, scooters, or other durable medical equipment. The Society has prepared
a “tool kit” of successful appeal letters,
with references to relevant medical research, for your professional to use. The
letters are on a CD, enabling busy practitioners to upload materials to a computer, and personalize an appeal in a
matter of minutes. We will send a copy
on request.
What else can the National
MS Society do?
The home office produces “Expert Opinion” papers and other professional reports describing the use and value of various therapies in the diagnosis and management of MS. These are available on
nationalmssociety.org, under the section
For Professionals. Feel free to provide
them to your insurance administrators
and your health-care professionals.
Follow up!
If your appeal is denied, go to the next
level. A second appeal won’t happen
automatically. You need to communicate
your desire for a second-level appeal to
Toll-Free Number: 1 800 FIGHT MS
MONE Y
M A TTERS
your insurer on the phone and in writing.
This will be another “internal” appeal
conducted by the company, but it will
involve a re-consideration of your claim
by higher-level professionals.
If your second appeal is denied, you
may be eligible for an “external review”
by health professionals who are not affiliated with your insurer. Contact your
insurer again to find out if you are eligible. If you are, you will need guidance
on external review procedures. We’ll try
to find someone to help you.
For more information on
health insurance, go to
nationalmssociety.org, click
on “Living with MS”, then “Life
Planning and Independence”,
then “Health Insurance and
Medicare”. There you will find
insurance FAQs, COBRA and
HIPAA information, drug facts,
and more.
If you don’t have access to the
Internet, call us at 1-800-FIGHTMS with your question and we’ll
print out material and send it to
you by mail.
HOT OFF THE
PRESSES
The National MS Society has
awarded $15.6 million, the largest
amount in history for research to
protect and reverse nerve damage
in people with MS. Four teams are
funded to lay the groundwork for
clinical trials of novel agents over
the next five years. These awards
are part of the Promise 2010
Campaign, a nationwide effort to
raise $30 million for targeted MS
research and care. Learn more at
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/
Research-TargetedRepair.asp
Interested in
volunteering?
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
If you would like more
information on our
Classifieds:
volunteer opportunities,
1999 - van - (town& country), LXI
V 6,w/ electronic chair lift.
GREAT SHAPE and well maintained
$12,000 / OBO
call (270)365-2841 or (270)360-8415
contact the chapter at
502-451-0014 or
1-800-FIGHT-MS option 2.
Visit our website at www.kynmss.org
15
WINTER2006
D e v e l o p m e n t
SAVE THE DATE FOR
THE KENTUCKY MS WALKS
E
very hour of every day, someone is
diagnosed with MS. This is why we
walk.
The 2006 MS Walks will be here before
we know it and we look forward to your participation! Now is the time to register, recruit
a team and start collecting contributions.
Your participation is very important to
our chapter. The MS Walk is a significant
part of the National MS Society’s efforts
to fund services for people with MS and
research that will one day lead to the end
of this disease. It is only with your support
that we can continue to make tremendous
strides in the fight to end the devastating
effects of multiple sclerosis. We can’t do it
without you!
So, choose a site and we will send you
all the information you need to make the
2006 MS Walks the best ever!
• April 15
Louisville, Waterfront Park
Lexington, Kentucky Horse Park
• April 22
Paducah, Noble Park
•Sept. 9
Morehead, Don Greenhill City Park
Columbia, Columbia Baptist Church
•Sept. TBA
Bowling Green
Elizabethtown
Three ways to register for the
2006 MS Walks:
1. Visit our website at www.kynmss.org
2. Fill out the included registration form
and mail/fax it today!
3. Call 502-451-0014 or 1-800-FIGHT MS
option 2.
Register by Wednesday, February 1 and receive a free MS Walk stationary pad!
16
Please complete this form (print please) & return by fax
or mail to address on back page of newsletter!
Name:_______________________________
Email: ______________________________
Please send Walk related materials via email to
help the Chapter save money on postage
Employer: _____________________________
Title: _____________________________
Address: _____________________________
Home
Work
City: _________State: ____Zip: __________
Phone: (W)______________(H) ___________
Fax: ________________
Please select your preferred Walk site:
April 15, 2006 Louisville/Waterfront Park
Lexington/Ky. Horse Park
April 22, 2006
Paducah/Noble Park
September 9, 2006
Morehead/Don Greenhill City Park
Columbia/Columbia Baptist Church
Team Name: _____________________________
Team Captain: ______________________________
Team Type: Friends/Family Corporate
Club/Organization Place of Worship School
I am interested in forming a team-please contact
me. (A team consists of 4 or more walkers.)
Yes! My company has a matching gift program.
T-shirt Size: Medium Large X-Large XXL
Date of Birth: ___/__/________
MM/DD/YYYY
Please send me the following:
_____ (#) of brochures
Information on MS and the MS Society
A press release for my corporate newsletter
Information about volunteer opportunities
I am unable to form a team this year, but
enclosed is my donation of $_______
Toll-Free Number: 1 800 FIGHT MS
D e v e l o p m e n t
Meet the Challenge.
Make A Difference
O
Register Online today www.kynmss.org
n June 3 &
4, hundreds
of cyclists
will take to the back
roads of Kentucky for
the eighteenth annual Toyota MS 150
– bike the bluegrass.
The signature fundraising event is part
of the nation’s largest
premier cycling event
and online registration makes it easy to
participate.
writer for Kentuckiana
HealthFitness.
This exciting 150mile two-day expedition that starts and
ends at the Toyota
Plant in Georgetown,
takes serious and
recreational riders on
a journey through the
breathtaking countryside of the bluegrass.
The overnight head“Greatness. It comes from putting aside
quarters will once
reasons why you can’t ride to find the reasons again be in Danville,
why you can.”
Already meeting
which will boast new
the challenge for the
food and entertain2006 tour is Toyota Motor Manufacturment options this year.
ing Kentucky, Inc., as they once again
Participants can register for $25 before
have signed up to be our title sponsor. Also joining our efforts to end the
February 1. Each rider is asked to raise
devastating effect of multiple sclerosis
a minimum of $200 with incentives for
is Kirby Adams, who recently agreed to
various levels of advanced fundraising.
serve as the 2006 Toyota MS 150 honorRegistration is available online at www.
ary chair. Adams is a consumer reporter
kynmss.org or by calling 502-451-0014
and anchor for WHAS-11, co-host of
or 1-800-FIGHT-MS, option 2.
WFPL’s Health Works and a contributing
FIGHT MS Kroger Card
I
magine that every time you buy
food for your family or need a
special gift for a friend or employee, that you are also helping to find the
cause and cure of multiple sclerosis!
Purchase a FIGHT MS Kroger Card
today! Call the Chapter Office at
1-800-FIGHT-MS.
Get Your
MS Connection
Via Email
Send an email to
[email protected]
Visit our website at www.kynmss.org
17
WINTER2006
D e v e l o p m e n t
APPLICATIONS FOR 2006 SCHOLARSHIP
PROGRAM NOW AVAILABLE
A
pplications for the 2006 National
MS Society Scholarship Program,
which provides financial relief
for people affected by MS who are entering their first year of post-secondary
education, are now available.
This is the fourth year of the Society’s
rapidly growing scholarship program. In
2005, 88 awards totaling $207,000 were
given nationwide to people with MS
or their children entering an accredited
post-secondary educational program.
Awards are based on financial need,
academic record, and a personal essay
discussing the impact of MS. The non-renewable scholarships range from $1,000
to $3,000. In addition, the Society will
award the Mike Dugan Scholarship
– named in honor of the Society’s former
CEO, this special scholarship is a fouryear scholarship totaling $10,000. This
was established in 2004 and is awarded
annually to the top scholar applicant.
The scholarship fund is supported by
donations from individuals at chapters
across the country as well as national
foundations.
“We know so many families are struggling to cope with the financial impact of
MS,” says Doug Dressman, Chapter President. “This is why we are fighting this
frequent side effect of multiple sclerosis
– because MS shouldn’t stand in the way
of an education.”
The National MS Society Scholarship
Program is administered by Scholarship
America. Scholarship applications will be
accepted between January 1 and February
16, 2006. For more information about
the National Multiple Sclerosis Society,
or to receive a scholarship application,
call 1-800-FIGHT MS or visit http://www.
nationalmssociety.org/Scholarship.asp to
download the application or to be directed to your local chapter. If you have
specific questions regarding filling out
the application, please contact Scholarship America directly at 1-800-537-4180,
ext. 471.
Memorials and Honorariums
Gifts have been given to the Kentucky-Southeast Indiana Chapter of the National
Multiple Sclerosis Society in memory and in honor of these individuals from August 1,
2005 to October 31, 2005.
Nancy Mayer
In Memory
William Norton
Dr. John Calloway
David Sandler
Terry Thomas Courtney
Nancy Sloan
Joe Elkins
David Tinkle
Winfred Fires
Wynne Yates
Georgeann Harter
Theresa Howard
In Honor
Comala Howell
Doug Anderson
Linda Mossberger Isaacs
Kentucky Southeast Indiana Chapter Staff
William Lenz
Kelly Dereeza
Velma Hodge Martin
18
Toll-Free Number: 1 800 FIGHT MS
D e v e l o p m e n t
Kentucky-Southeast Indiana Chapter
Announces Staff Addition & Changes
T
he Kentucky-Southeast Indiana
Chapter is delighted to introduce
you to our newest staff member,
Emily Giffin, development coordinator.
A native of Louisville, Emily recently returned to her hometown after graduating
from Cornell University and spending a
year in Cincinnati.
Emily got her start in fundraising for
MS when a co-worker in Cincinnati was
diagnosed with secondary-progressive
MS. When a particularly serious exacerbation left her friend hospitalized and
forced her to quit her job, Emily decided
to take action. Working closely with the
Ohio Valley Chapter and the Cincinnati
community, Emily organized A Night
for Amy, a benefit dinner, concert, and
art auction attended by more than 400
guests (including two Cincinnati Bengals), which raised $10,000 to help alleviate the burden of medical bills. Emily
hopes to bring the same kind of energy
and creativity to the Chapter.
We would also like to welcome a familiar face to the programs department.
Beth Bell has taken on a new role in the
Chapter, that of programs manager. Beth
has served as the information systems
manager in the office for the last 3 ½
years, working on keeping our computers
and database in tip-top shape. However,
when the opportunity arose in October
to channel her skills and passion for
our mission in a new direction, she was
thrilled to accept the challenge.
Beth graduated from Western Kentucky University with a BA degree in Print
Journalism. Through her experiences
working with other non-profit organizations she has accumulated a wealth of
knowledge in advocacy issues, communications, and public relations. Beth will
be working vigilantly to ensure that the
Chapter continues to improve the services we offer and to identify and meet the
ever-changing needs of people living with
MS in Kentucky and Southern Indiana.
With the addition of Emily to Fundraising and Beth to Programs, we hope to
be even better at meeting our goals and
accomplishing our mission—to end the
devastating effects of MS.
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is proud to be a source of information about
multiple sclerosis. Our comments are based on professional advice, published experience
and expert opinion, but do not represent therapeutic recommendation or prescription.
For specific information and advice, consult your personal physician.
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society does not endorse products, services or
manufacturers. Such names appear here because they are considered valuable
information. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society assumes no liability for the use or
contents of any product or service mentioned.
Visit our website at www.kynmss.org
19
WINTER2006
D e v e l o p m e n t
Special Thanks to our Sponsors
Congratulations to our MS Champions and Kentucky Champions
Darrell Griffith, KY Champion; Dr. Stephen Kirzinger, MS Champion; Dawne Gee, MS
Champion; Mary T. Meagher Plant, KY Champion; David Gould, MS Champion; Joyce Nelson,
CEO, National MS Society; and Will Wolford, KY Champion
Special Thanks to our Patrons & Volunteers
Baptist Hospital East
Gold Table Sponsors
Bronze Table Sponsors
Pride Mobility
Berlex
Committee Members
Invacare
Teva Neuroscience
Norton Healthcare
Medical Society Professionals
University Neurologists, PSC
UofL Department of
Medicine
Silver Table Sponsors
Gould’s Discount Medical Jewish Hospital & St. Mary’s
HealthCare
Atria Senior Living Group
Anthem – Mark Kleiner
Teva Neuroscience
William Turner
Ernst & Young, LLC
Biogen
Jeff Norton
Dr. Mark Langford
Nicklies & Company
20
Toll-Free Number: 1 800 FIGHT MS
Nancy Moss
Kathy Ciresi
Yvette Rojas
Jeff Norton
Keri Jones
Shauna Brown
Brandi Campbell
Brooke Griffiths
Carole Lorfing
Mary Rucker
Jennifer Wilbourn
Jane Wilson
D e v e l o p m e n t
Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon,
represented by Dan Gardner, Southern
Wine & Spirits, Patty Holland, Four Roses
Bourbon Sales Manager and Jim Rutledge,
Four Roses Bourbon Master Distiller,
served as the Cocktail Reception Sponsor.
Dinner of Champions Committee members
Jennifer Wilbourn, Carole Lorfing, Mary
Rucker and Keri Jones, greet patrons at
registration.
Joyce Nelson, CEO, National MS Society,
and Chapter Chair Mark Carter, Jewish
Hospital & St. Mary’s HealthCare, along
with Mary T. Meagher Plant, Kentucky
Champion (far right) present Dawne Gee,
WAVE3-TV News Anchor, with her MS
Champion Medal.
Chapter Chair Mark Carter, Jewish
Hospital & St. Mary’s HealthCare, Joyce
Nelson, CEO, National MS Society, and
Darrell Griffith, Kentucky Champion,
present Dr. Stephen Kirzinger with his MS
Champion Medal.
Chapter Chair Mark Carter, Jewish
Hospital & St. Mary’s HealthCare, and
Joyce Nelson, CEO, National MS Society,
along with Will Wolford, Kentucky
Champion (far right) present David
Gould, Gould’s Discount Medical, with his
MS Champion Medal.
WAVE3-TV Sports Anchor Kent Taylor
served as Emcee for the Dinner of
Champions festivities.
Visit our website at www.kynmss.org
21
S e l f
H e l p
Please contact the group leaders to ensure
meetings will be held as scheduled.
Elizabethtown
Multiple Sclerosis Praise and
Two Meeting Times
Prayer Group
Bridge Community Church
Lyndon Baptist Church
Last Tues of each month 6:30 pm 1st & 3rd Wed each month 1 pm
2nd Mon of each month noon
Contact Mary 502-426-4784
Contact Tom 270-360-8415
London
Frankfort
First United Methodist Church
Frankfort Regional Medical
4th Tues each month 7 pm
Center
Contact Shirley 606-864-5326
Multi-purpose room
*Will resume in February
nd
2 Fri each month 6:30 pm
Contact Michelle 502-223-1306 Madisonville
Trover Clinic, 8th Floor
Franklin
4th Mon each month 6:30 pm
Calvary Baptist Church
Contact Carolyn 270-639-5679
1st Mon each month 7 pm
Contact Linda 270-598-0669
Morehead
St. Claire Medical Center
Lexington
Room B
St. Luke’s United Methodist
4th Tues each month 7 pm
Church
Contact Judy 606-784-8044
nd
2 Mon of each month 7 pm
Contact Leslie 859-269-4036 New Albany, IN
Providence Nursing Home
Newly Diagnosed Group
3rd Mon each month 6 pm
People diagnosed 2 years or less Contact Regina 502-541-8069
Meeting Locations Vary
Last Mon of each month 6:30 pm Paducah
Contact Jenny 859-263-3643 Western Baptist Hospital
3rd Sat each month 2 pm
Louisville
Contact Karen 270-247-4064
St. Stephen’s Baptist Church
3rd Thurs each month 7 pm
Jellico, TN
Contact Chapter
Jellico Community Hospital
3rd Mon each month 1 pm
Guardian Angel
Contact Beth 865-470-9933
Tri-City Self-Help Group
3rd Thurs each month 7pm
Harrogate, TN
Contact Tonya 502-543-2025 4th Mon each month 7 pm
Contact Beth 865-470-9933
Action Alert
Action Alert is the grassroots
program of the National
Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Each chapter develops its
Action Alert list—a group of
people who will quickly and
reliably respond to requests
for advocacy action. Possible
requests for advocacy action
might include: writing letters, e-mails, calling and/or
visiting elected officials or
executive agency staff.
All Action Alert members
automatically receive the
monthly federal and state
advocacy updates as well as
all federal action alerts published by the advocacy programs department.
If you would like to add
your name to the Action
Alert list, please contact the
Chapter at 1-800-FIGHT-MS
or [email protected]
MS Learn Online
MS Learn Online is an internet-based educational
program designed to deliver
quality information to your
computer. To connect to MS
Learn Online, go to www.
nationalmssociety.org and
select “Educational Programs”.
To inquire about starting your own group,
contact Sonya Sandridge at 800-FIGHT-MS
or 502-451-0014.
22
Toll-Free Number: 1 800 FIGHT MS
DATES TO
REMEMBER
New Self-Help Group
starting for younger persons
with MS in their 20’s, 30’s,
and 40’s.
First meeting Tues., Jan. 24,
2005. 7 PM Hampshire East
Clubhouse on the corner
of Timberwood Circle and
Yorkwood, located off of
Hurstbourne Lane in Louisville,
KY Call Tom 502-376-5832 for
more information
2006 Women Against MS
Luncheon
February 16, 2006
The Olmsted, Louisville, KY
2006 MS Walk Louisville
April 15, 2006
Waterfront Park
2006 MS Walk Lexington
April 15, 2006
Kentucky Horse Park
2006 MS Walk Paducah
April 22, 2006
Noble Park
2006 Toyota MS 150
June 3 & 4, 2006
2006 MS Walk Morehead
September 9, 2006
Don Greenhill City Park
2006 MS Walk Columbia
September 9, 2006
Columbia Baptist Church
A q ua t i c
E x e r c i s e
Glasgow YMCA
1 YMCA Way
Glasgow, KY
270-651-7599
Mary T. Meagher Aquatic
Center
201 Reservoir Avenue
Louisville, KY
502-897-9949
Northeast YMCA
9400 Millbrook Road
Louisville, KY
502-425-1271
Baptist East/
Milestone Wellness Center
750 Cypress Station Dr.
Louisville, KY
502-896-3900
www.baptistmilestone.com
Shawnee High School
4018 West Market
Louisville, KY
502-485-7664
Pool is located behind school,
next to the football field.
Mon-Wed 10-11 am $2/class
YOGA
Yoga East
1135 East Kentucky St.
Louisville, KY
502-585-9642
www.yogaeast.org
EXERCISE CLASSES
Eastern Kentucky University
Moberly 202
Richmond, KY
859-622-1891
[email protected]
North Lexington YMCA
Mon/Wed 3-4 pm
859-622-1891
[email protected]
Visit our website at www.kynmss.org
Staying Connected
Confidential email
reminders about
upcoming programs in
your area are available
by sending an email
request to:
[email protected]
The Friendship Link
is a program designed
to provide peer
support counseling
to clients throughout
the Chapter area.
Volunteers are needed
to contact those
wishing to talk with
clients with similar
experiences and
provide support.
Training will be
provided. Here is
a rewarding
opportunity to:
*Make new friends
*Give to your community
*Help others cope with MS
*Volunteer for the MS
Society without leaving
your home
To find out more
about the program,
contact the chapter
at 800-FIGHT-MS.
23
C h a p t e r
Doug Dressman
Donna Myers
Sonya Sandridge
Beth Bell
Whitney Vogel
Michelle Forsting
Emily Giffin
Jennifer Welscher
Kristin Darrow
WINTER2006
S t a f f
Chapter President
Director of Finance
Director of Chapter Programs
Programs Manager
Director of Development
Development Manager
Development Coordinator
Community Relations Manager
Office Manager
Contact Us
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Kentucky-Southeast Indiana Chapter
11700 Commonwealth Drive
Suite 500
Louisville, KY 40299
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
502-451-0014
1-800-FIGHT-MS
Fax: 502-451-9747
Email: [email protected]
www.kynmss.org
Publisher’s Printing underwrites all printing costs for the MS Connection. The support this business
provides to the Kentucky-Southeast Indiana Chapter of the NMSS ensures our clients will receive timely
information and that funds raised will support client services, educational programs, and research to
find a cure to end the devastating effects of multiple sclerosis.
Kentucky-Southeast Indiana Chapter
11700 Commonwealth Dr., Suite 500
Louisville, KY 40299
Toll-Free Number: 1 800 FIGHT MS
NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Louisville, KY
Permit # 494