In 2008 the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada is celebrating it’s 60th anniversary and the West Kootenay Chapter is proud to be affiliated with such a successful, long-standing organization. We offer services and support to those in the West Kootenays whose lives are affected by MS, the most common neurological disorder to affect young people in Canada. There are as many as 8,000 British Columbians living with this disease today, a disease that affects almost 3 times as many women as men, usually striking between 20 and 50 years old. Symptoms include vision problems, numbness and tingling in the extremities, extreme fatigue and mobility issues. At this time there is no cure, and the exact cause is unknown.

The West Kootenay Chapter Board of Directors are based in Nelson, with representation from around the West Kootenay Boundary region. We have a part-time fundraising coordinator, Dawn Lang, who is available at dawn.lang@mssociety.ca if you are interested in volunteering, and Lonnie Facchina, our community services coordinator, who can be reached toll free at 1-866-352-3997 or lonnie.facchina@mssociety.ca if you would like information about MS or to donate to our chapter.

Our services include information, support, advocacy, referrals, equipment provision, public education sessions and workshops. Members receive our bimonthly newsletter (always available online at www.mssociety.ca/chapters/westkootenay/), peer support, exercise subsidies, support groups, and social and recreational events.

Our Mission: To be a leader in finding a cure for multiple sclerosis and enabling people affected by MS to enhance their quality of life.

If you would like to serve on our Board of Directors, who meet monthly (except August and December) on the first Saturday of the month at the Nelson & District Credit Union’s boardroom, email our nomination committee chair, Dan Carlson for more information. He can be reached at d_carlson@shaw.ca. (there is an underscore after the d)…

For more information, our contact info is:

Lonnie Facchina | Community Services Coordinator
MS Society of Canada, West Kootenay Chapter | Box 202 | Balfour BC V0G 1C0
p: 250.229.4994 or 1.866.352.3997 | f: 250.229.4959 | e:
lonnie.facchina@mssociety.ca

Visit our website at www.mssociety.ca/chapters/westkootenay/