MS On the Move Luncheon

Colorado and Wyoming have some of the highest incidence of MS in the nation. Why is still a mystery. Perhaps it has something to do with the mile high altitude, the mountain streams, the lack of humidity. Nevertheless, the answer lies somewhere in the Rocky Mountains and the fact remains, Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a disease that affects the central nervous system by disrupting the flow of information from the brain to the body. There is no known cause and no known cure.

Those are dire facts above for those living with MS and for anyone who suspects they may have the disease. The good news is there is help. The Colorado-Wyoming Chapter helps over 100,000 people affected by MS move forward with their lives each year. The funds raised support the Society’s cutting-edge research and provide comprehensive programs and services for people living with MS.

Tuesday’s luncheon featured the presentation of the MS Spirit Award to Marc Spritzer, a tireless volunteer who became involved in the MS society when his wife was diagnosed with MS. Marc is a true advocate for people living with multiple sclerosis.

The keynote speaker, Ronda Giangreco, lives with MS. Her story began in 2008 as a healthy vibrant woman one day; the next day she awakened to numbness on her left side. The next day, more numbness. The diagnosis was multiple sclerosis. One thought kept going through her mind, “If I might not be walking for long…where should I walk now?”

Giangreco mapped her bleak future in the only way she knew how – spend it with friends over pasta, bread and wine. After 52 dinners in a row, 400 plates of food made from scratch, she was stunned to realize she had created an amazing army of friends. “Every week that I made another pot of spaghetti I was winning,” she said. Those dinner came to be known as The Gathering Table. Her recently published book, “The Gathering Table: Defying MS with a Year of Pasta, Wine & Friends,” gave Giangreco an abundance of material for an uplifting and energetic presentation. She spoke without a podium and enchanted the audience with her fantastically confident and engaging story.  Everyone in the audience was awestruck and certainly influenced by her courageous journey. She ended her wonderful talk by addressing all who suffer from MS, “It’s the journey that counts.”

Chances are you know someone living with this disease. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is there to help them. MS stops people from moving. The MS society exists to make sure it doesn’t.

To learn more about the MS Society or to make a contribution please go to the website: cureMSco-wy.org or 800-FIGHT MS (800-344-4867)

We mobilize people and resources to drive research for a cure and to address the challenges of everyone affected by MS.  

900 South Broadway, Suite 250 Denver CO 80209-Phone: 303-698-5430