Blog Archives

28 Sep

Rocky Mountain MS Center 2025 Gala

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Procrastinators, take note and be ready for next September. The annual Rocky Mountain MS Center Gala continually sells out—and this year was no exception. The focus is to celebrate the mission, achievements and efforts of the Center, with continual support of the MS community (including recently expanded services into rural areas). But beyond its impactful dinner program, this event also entertains with great live and silent auctions, food and beverages, live music and fun casino games in an upscale, but always welcoming, atmosphere.

Gala chair Priscilla Hall

On Saturday, Sept. 28, supporters gathered at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel for a reception and silent auction. After catching up with friends, the group adjourned to the ballroom for a delicious plated dinner with music provide by XO Band. Emcee Ed Greene presided over a program with speakers Gina Hensrud, CEO; Michael Persichitte, board chair; gala chair Priscilla Hall and a special message from Lindsay Rice. A live auction was fueled by favorite auctioneer Gary Corbett before guests enjoyed more live music and casino games.

The Bengtsen family

Rocky Mountain MS Center writes: Our Gala is the premier annual event supporting Colorado’s largest center providing comprehensive multiple sclerosis care, support, education and research for individuals and families living with multiple sclerosis and related neurological disorders. Thanks to the generous support of our community, the Rocky Mountain MS Center has created a world-leading model for treating patients and families living with MS, no matter where they are on their MS journey. For more information, go to: https://mscenter.org/ .

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08 Sep

MS Center Gala24: The Answers Begin Here

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Gala24 for Rocky Mountain MS Center was full of dedicated people with stories of inspiration and hope, and a prevailing theme of community—not only for those who battle MS, but everyone surrounding them. In the mix of this always uplifting event was 2024 gala chair BJ Dyer. If you’re new to Denver’s nonprofit world, he is renowned for his exquisite work providing florals for a spectrum of fundraisers. BJ will tell you that even as he assisted with this particular event as a vendor over the years, he did so knowing people with MS and other neurological afflictions. He was impressed with the staff and the center, and eventually began volunteering on RMMSC gala committees, learning more and more about its services, research and the affliction itself. His chair position this year evolved quite organically…not unlike a flower. A wise choice for gala chair, BJ gravitates to people and eloquently represents Rocky Mountain MS Center with passion and dedication.

Sponsors (l to r): Suzanne and Steve Hickox, with Lyn and Dr. Michael Schaffer

On Saturday, Sept. 7, almost 500 people gathered at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel to support the Center and its community of people. The evening began with a cocktail reception and silent auction before guests adjourned to the ballroom for a dinner program emceed by recently retired TV weather icon Ed Greene. Those who spoke to the crowd: Board chair Erica Tarpey; BJ Dyer; CEO Gina Hensrud; Medical Director John Corboy, M.D.; and MS Center educator and advocate Elissa Berlinger. Guests supported the live auction conducted by Gary Corbett and the evening ended with dancing music provided by appropriately named band Thumpin’ and a round of casino games.

Kerri Cechovic and emcee Ed Greene

Money raised at RMMSC’s gala stays in Colorado supporting the state’s largest center providing comprehensive multiple sclerosis care, support, education and research, and individuals and families living with MS and related neurological disorders. Multiple sclerosis is a progressive and unpredictable disease of the central nervous system that disrupts communication between the brain and other parts of the body.The Center writes: “Thanks to the generous support of our community, the Rocky Mountain MS Center has created a world-leading model for treating patients and families living with MS, no matter where they are on their MS journey. Our dedicated community has sustained us into our fourth decade of service, and is vital to the continued success of our mission.” To learn more, go to https://mscenter.org/

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17 Sep

Rocky Mountain MS Center Gala: The Answers Begin Here

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Go to the highly anticipated “Rocky Mountain Showdown” football game…or the annual, noteworthy Rocky Mountain MS Center Gala? With competing important events happening on the same night, more than 500 people made the good choice to support the fight against multiple sclerosis, making the gala another sold-out event full of dedicated donors. Fortunately for CU-CSU fans, game updates were announced often, and you just know that lots of home DVRs were in use for later viewing. So it was a win-win proposition all around.

Board member Suzanne Hickox (third from left), with friends

On Saturday, Sept. 16, the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel’s Plaza Ballroom was transformed with a glam Night in Monte Carlo theme. The evening began with a silent auction and cocktail reception before guests made their way into the ballroom with music by iconic Denver band Nacho Men. Amiable emcee Ed Greene presided over a program that addressed the challenges and triumphs of those living with multiple sclerosis, as well as the good works of the Rocky Mountain MS Center. Those speaking to the crowd: Gina Hensrud, CEO; Erica Tarpey, board chair; and Lyn Schaffer, gala co-chair (with husband Michael Schaffer, M.D.); and Raja Muhsen and Ramah Khammash. Auctioneer Gary Corbett kept bids high at the live auction, and the evening ended with dance-worthy Nacho Men music and a full gamut of casino games.

(l to r): Ed Greene, emcee; event co-chair Lyn Schaffer; RMMSC CEO Gina Hensrud; auctioneer Gary Corbett

RMMSC writes: “Our Gala is the premier annual event supporting Colorado’s largest center dedicated to comprehensive multiple sclerosis care, support, education and research (to) help support individuals and families living with multiple sclerosis and related neurological disorders. MS is a progressive and unpredictable disease of the central nervous system that disrupts communication between the brain and other parts of the body. Thanks to the generous support of our community, the Rocky Mountain MS Center has created a world-leading model for treating patients and families living with MS, no matter where they are on their MS journey.

(l to r): Jacob, Valerie and Carter Topkis

“Rocky Mountain MS Center jointly describes two elements of an innovative partnership: the Rocky Mountain MS Center nonprofit organization, and the Rocky Mountain MS Center at University of Colorado, clinical and research teams operating at UCHealth and the University of Colorado Hospital on the Anschutz Medical Campus. From a wide range of patient and community education programs to counseling and legal services, we work together to provide our community with a truly comprehensive approach for people and families living with MS.

“As a patient-centered organization, we prioritize listening to and learning from our patients and their caregivers. Their voices motivate our focus on better treatments. They have helped mold our education programs to be relevant for patients and caregivers. And they have inspired our cutting edge research to always explore the disease one step further and find the next answer. Patients are at the heart of all we do.” To learn more, please visit us at MSCenter.org.

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14 Sep

2019 Rocky Mountain Multiple Sclerosis Center Annual Gala

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The Sheraton Denver Downtown was the venue for the Sept 14, 2019 Rocky Mountain Multiple Sclerosis Center Annual Gala featuring live music, dancing, comedy and casino gaming.

MS Center CEO Gina Hensrud with 2019 Gala Emcee Ed Greene

More than 400 guests gathered to celebrate RMMSC’s mission: Improving the quality of life for individuals and their families living with MS and related neurological diseases through care, support, education and research. Emcee Ed Greene and CEO Gina Hensrud welcomed guests and thanked sponsors in a full event that featured a live auction from Gary Corbett, music by the Dave Camp Jazz Band,  laughs provided by comedian Spencer James, and after-dinner casino gaming.

Multiple Sclerosis is a progressive and unpredictable disease of the central nervous system that disrupts communication between the brain and other parts of the body.

This year’s Event Committee featured several leadership roles from Gala Chair, Claudia Miller; Sponsorship Chair, Simon Kafati; and Auction Co-Chairs Eliz Padilla and Sheri Rotolo.

Key sponsorship support came from corporations, medical industries and community organizations. The 2019 Presenting Sponsor was Denver Life Magazine. Platinum Sponsors: Biogen, Genentech, PSAV, and the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel. Bronze Sponsors: Anton Collins Mitchell, The Clinic Colorado, David and Shannon Geonetta, EI Pomar, JPMorgan Chase, Key Bank, Marathon Petroleum, Dennis and Susan McDonnell, Jim and Claudia Miller, MoXXy Women, the Persichitte Family, Brian and Erica Petrelli, Arwin Priest, the Schlosser family, Rocky Mountain MS Center at University of Colorado, Turnaround Management Association Rocky Mountain, Way Out West Realty, Wes and Kay Lynn West.

2019 MS Gala Chair Claudia Miller thanked sponsors and guests

The downtown premier annual event supports the 41-year-old RMMSC– Colorado’s largest center dedicated to comprehensive multiple sclerosis care, support, education and research.

Among the symptoms of MS include blurred or double vision; tingling, numbness or pain; extreme fatigue; loss of bladder control; memory problems; lack of concentration; and difficulty walking. Fortunately, since MS was first recognized as a neurological disease by “Father of Neurology” Jean-Martin Charcot in 1868 many medications and breakthroughs have been made to alleviate symptoms to help people with MS live healthy, productive lives.

MS Center supporters Jan Hammond  and Louise Richardson

Thanks to generous community support, the Rocky Mountain MS Center has created a world-leading model for treating patients and families living with MS.

For more information, please visit: www.mscenter.org

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16 Sep

Rocky Mountain MS Gala, Expressions of MS

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Explore multiple sclerosis through different perspectives.

In keeping with their mission, the annual gala for the Rocky Mountain MS Center each year is able, through generous support, to improve the quality of life for individuals and their families living with MS and related neurological diseases, through care, support, education and research. This year’s Gala focused on exploring multiple sclerosis through different perspectives since many who live with MS have invisible symptoms.

The mysterious MS disease affects many lives in our community. That is why the MS Center approaches individuals embarking on their MS journey with office visits, counseling, Education Summits, all in hopes of improving the lives of those individuals and their families, one by one.

Multiple Sclerosis is a disease with many symptoms like fatigue, vision problems, vertigo and pain. Ironically, these symptoms aren’t always obvious to family and friends. To those experiencing these symptoms, they know all too well the realities of living with MS.

Sarah Richer, artist, wrote these words:

“In my experience of living with multiple sclerosis, I have found it to be a fluid and dynamic process. Symptoms can change and heal over time, new symptoms can occur, and all of these physical occurrences change the way I perceive and interact in the world. It is a fluctuating landscape with effects that are negative, positive and often unexpected. Seeing the world differently has been inspiring, overcoming obstacles has been liberating, and developing a deeper understanding of myself has been transformative. I can’t imagine who I’d be today without it.”

The 2017 MS Gala is gearing for next year’s 2018 40th anniversary celebration. But make no mistake,  this year’s event surpassed them all with live over-the-top auction items such as a day at the races at Bandimere Speedway’s during racing season. The lucky high bidder will compete in the speedway’s Dodge Challenger Challenge Cars on Thunder Mountain’s famous 1/4 mile drag strip. Buckle your seatbelt!

Better yet, high bidders can Spend the 2018 holidays in Paris at a personal flat. While packing their Louis Vuitton’s let’s hope they remember to bring the elegant mink jacket they bid on and, for the thrill of it, throw in the 2.45 carat diamond won at the auction. Go in style to an elegant Parisian night on the town. Bidders also loved the close at home options such as golfing and dining, from Vail to Del Frisco’s.

After the presentations, the auction, a fabulous meal, and conversation, the Dave Camp Jazz Band, sprang into action and jazzed up the evening’s close which sadly, had to end. Great music, food, and a great organization were the highlights of the night. All proceeds from the annual Gala support the programs and services of the Rocky Mountain MS Center. With continued support, the RMMS center will march-on in an effort to discover the cause and eventually, find a cure for multiple sclerosis.

The Rocky Mountain MS Center was founded in 1978, as one of the country’s most comprehensive centers dedicated to the treatment and study of MS.

For more information on how to support the RMMS Center:

Rocky Mountain Multiple Sclerosis Center
8845 Wagner Street
Westminster, CO 80031
Office: 303-788-4030 Fax: 303-788-5418

http://www.mscenter.org

 

 

 

 

 

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15 Sep

MS on the Move Luncheon

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Not even Multiple Sclorsis can stop me…

The Colorado-Wyoming Chapter of the National MS Society hosted an exceptional luncheon at the Westin Downtown hotel on Thursday, September 15, 2016.

The annual event was presented by EKS&H with the goal to raise awareness and funds in order to provide services and support for the 100,000 people in Colorado and Wyoming affected by multiple sclerosis.

Guest speaker Connie Carpenter-Phinney, winner of the first ever women’s Olympic cycling road race in Summer 1984, shares her inspirational story of triumph as an Olympic athlete and national champion.  Wife of world renown cycling champion Davis Phinney and mother of two, she understands first-hand the adversity of chronic illnesses and challenges of caregiving and renewed hope.  She is an active board member of the Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson’s in Boulder. 

Mary Rhinehart, CEO of Johns-Manville, was recognized with the 2016 MS Spirit Award by Novartis. 

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or donor of the annual MS on the Move Luncheon, please contact Adrienne Torres, at adrienne.torres@nmss.org or by phone 303-698-5446 or Jamie Froyd at jamie.froyd@nmss.org.   

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10 Sep

Rocky Mt. MS Center 2016 Gala

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The Rocky Mt. Multiple Sclerosis Center 2016 Gala attracted more than 400 guests at the Denver Sheraton Downtown on Sept 10 with Keynote Speaker Kim Ball, who described her challenges with the disease that afflicts about half a million people in the U.S. alone.

RMMSC CEO Gina Berg, Event Chair Adrienne Fitzgibbons, Board Chair Brett Hanselman thanked sponsors and guests for a strong turnout with Presenting Sponsor—Denver Life Magazine– Publisher Kristin Miller and husband, Shawn, both on hand to enjoy the celebration.

MS is a progressive and unpredictable disease of the central nervous system that disrupts communication between the brain and other parts of the body. The cause of MS is unknown and there is no known cure. The severity of MS varies from person to person and various treatments are available to slow disease progression.

Keynote Speaker Kim Ball was diagnosed with MS just as she was starting her family. Although she was warned by doctors that going through with a pregnancy could worsen her MS, she was determined to live her life as she had planned. Today, her daughter Sienna, 10, is by her side and together they share their story of living with the challenges of the disease day by day.

Special Thanks went to this year’s sponsors and supporters:
Title Sponsors
• University of Colorado Hospital & Rocky Mountain MS Center at University of Colorado
• Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel
Platinum Sponsors
• Biogen
• Colorado State Bank and Trust
•The Denver Post
• Genzyme
• The Johnson Family

For more information about programs, volunteering or making a donation, please visit www.mscenter.org

 

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17 Sep

MS on the Move Luncheon

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Rebekah Gregory is an honest-to-goodness inspiration.

It’s not everyday one has the opportunity to listen to a survivor’s story. Or, to hear about their horrendous ordeal told with humor and compassion. At the National Multiple Sclerosis On The Move luncheon, Rebekah Gregory’s horrifying experience at one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in U.S. history, changed her life forever.

She walked with poise to the podium in a beautiful black lace overlay dress starkly revealing ‘Felicia,’ her prosthetic left leg. Her gait was so perfect one assumed the visible mechanical apparatus was part of the outfit.

Then Rebekah Gregory began to recall the day that is still too vivid in her mind. She was watching the 2013 Boston Marathon, struggling to keep her six year son occupied as the race dragged on for him. Her runner was close to the finish line so she suggested he sit on her feet and play with pebbles on the ground, assuring him it was almost over. Out of boredom, he sat on her feet. Next thing, one week later, Rebekah Gregory awoke in a Boston hospital. Her left leg was mangled. Thankfully her son was treated for minor cuts and lacerations and released. He was alive and well. That was enough to get her through the next two years.

Gregory gave an enlivened talk that moved the audience, not to tears but laughter. She is a natural at this. Her story is terrible but, like she said, “If you’re given lemons, well, heck, you don’t even have to make lemonade if you don’t like it. You can make a lemon meringue pie.”

And that is what Gregory has done. She hated running. Now she is running in a marathon later this year. She hates strapping on Felicia some days but, she wants to get up and get on with her day so, she puts Felicia on and gets going.

Rebekah Gregory was a ray of sunshine and source of strength to the people of the audience who were either fighting the effects of MS or searching for a cure.

Michael King was awarded the MS Spirit Award presented by Novartis. He said he is looking forward to the day he no longer needs to ride his bike for MS, because, when that day comes, he smiled, there will be a cure for the debilitating disease, multiple sclerosis.

This year’s theme, MS on the Move luncheon was organized to raise awareness and funds to provide services and support for the 100,000 people in Colorado and Wyoming affected by multiple sclerosis.

Become a supporter of this important organization by visiting, cureMSco-wy.org; or call 1-800-FIGHT-MS (344-4867). The chapter office is located at 900 S. Broadway, Suite 250, Denver.

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12 Sep

Rocky Mountain MS Center Annual Gala

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Anyone who can make a crowd of well-heeled guests put on red clown noses and clap enthusiastically must have some kinda personality.

That was putting it mildly, as Dr. Patch Adams was special guest at the Rocky Mountain MS Center’s annual gala on Saturday, and he had a memorable message for guests: you have the choice to be who you are, and you have a choice to be happy.

The crowd was very attentive as the eclectic Adams talked to them about some of his philosophies and took questions (but guests had to do something outlandish before they were allowed to ask). Adams has traveled the world with friends and followers dressed as clowns and other characters, and most people recognize the name from the famous biographical movie in which Robin Williams portrayed him.

This was a special evening, with comments from RMMSC CEO Gina Berg, Event Chairs Louise Richardson and Arlene Mohler Johnson, Board Chair Brett Hanselman, Denver Life Magazine’s Kristin Miller (presenting sponsor) and board member Jeff Wren, who forged a friendship with Patch Adams many years ago.

The Rocky Mountain MS Center’s mission: Improving the quality of life for individuals and their families living with MS and related neurological diseases through care, support, education and research.

The Rocky Mountain MS Center was founded in 1978 by Dr. Jack Burks and N. Daren Writer. Mr. Writer was diagnosed with MS in 1974. He was told “there was nothing anyone could do about MS,” and to “go home and put his affairs in order.” This was unacceptable to this exceptional man of action and business leader. He sought out a brilliant, young neurologist who was dedicated to finding the cause of MS and a cure for the disease. Like Mr. Writer, Dr. Burks believed something could be done for people living with MS. Together they created a single, comprehensive facility to treat people with MS and find the cause and a cure.

Since then, the RMMSC has grown and continued to provide support and research for those with MS. For more information about programs and other information, log on to www.mscenter.org.

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13 Sep

Rocky Mountain MS Gala: Making MS History

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If ever there was a “poster child” for the fact that with some perseverance, energy and passion, a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis doesn’t have to completely slow you down, it’s Sandee Walling. Even though she admittedly gets in situations where she needs a little help here and there (she says that was tough because of how independent she’s always been), it’s evident that Sandee is as vibrant and active as ever, and she is much loved in the community because of it.

Sandee was honored at the 2014 MS Gala for the Rocky Mountain MS Center, and she and her sons Christopher and Jonathan were on hand to thank supporters and give kudos to Dr. Timothy Vollmer, medical director, whom Sandee credits with making an incredible difference in her life and countless others.

Co-Chairs Terri Fisher and Gayle Novak thanked everyone for attending, and CEO Gina Berg was equally thankful for the efforts of guests, volunteers, staff and supporters. Board Chair Paul Wisor also gave a speech about how he got involved and how honored he is to be a part of the effort.

Guests enjoyed a scrumptious dinner, live auction by auctioneer Jim Berz and danced the rest of the night away to the Tripping Griswolds.

It is encouraging that there are some cutting edge treatments and therapies for those with MS, so that hopefully we can say we understand and can beat the condition.

The mission of the Rocky Mountain Multiple Sclerosis Center is to improve the quality of life of individuals and their families living with MS and related neurological diseases through care, support, education and research. They are a Colorado-based nonprofit dedicated to changing the way we think about and treat MS in order to protect the futures of those living with the disease.

 

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29 Sep

MS On the Move Luncheon

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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

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