It's in our grasp

  A week ago I attended the 'endMS' campaign meeting at the Scotia Bank theatre.  The 'endMS' campaign is focused on raising money for researchers to find a cause and cure for Multiple Sclerosis.  The advancements they have made is quite remarkable.  Finding ways to stimulate the myelin-sheath for regrowth and repair and exploring options in transplanting bone marrow stem cells in people with MS.  Not only is the money being raised for science but for enhancing the quality of life for people with MS. Before this meeting I was very doubtful, doubtful to the notion that there will ever be a cure but I was later amazed to see first hand what big strides were taken to end MS.  An even bigger shock came to me when they introduced one of the lead Neuroscientists for MS,  Dr. Yohannes Haile.  Just from his name alone, I knew we were from the same country, Eritrea.  Eritrea resides on the Horn of Africa with a population of 6 million.  What are the chances!  After the meeting I introduced myself to Dr. Haile and invited him for coffee with me and my dad.  He said yes and the day was set.  So many questions were rummaging through my mind.  How do people get MS? Will it get worse? Will there be a cure?  I did as much reading on the web as I could on his extensive work in Medicine and Neurology.  Even finding out he was in the Metro newspaper for discovering a new drug that could prevent disability in MS.   

We met at Second Cup for coffee and for the first hour didn't talk about anything pertaining to MS.  My dad and Dr. Haile exchanged stories on how they grew up in Eritrea and I was able to talk to his wife about what we studied in school and what goals we had in the future.  Later on we talked about the Patient Specific Treatment they are working on, because MS is different for every individual they need to find treatment specifically for that individual.  Many times we hear of the advancements researchers make in science but what we don't see is the amount of work it took to achieve them.  I got to see a very personal side to this researcher.  A man who is very dedicated and focused to his work and who makes sacrifices in his personal life to do so.  All the questions I was going to ask the doctor I laid to rest.  It wasn't about delving into why I got it, how I got it, at the end of the day I want to see how important this is to you and when I did I felt like I was in good hands.  As we were ending our conversation I had only one last question to ask.  "In my lifetime, will I see a cure for MS?"  Without any hesitation he reached out his hand and said "Yes."  I reached out mine and we shook on it.  And you know what.............I believe him.  

Sunday MAY 26, 2013

I will be participating in the 'MS WALK' fundraiser on May 26th!  In order for me to complete this walk I will be working with my trainers at the UofA and I'll update my blog to let you know how I'm doing.  I'm also in the process of setting up a website so you can donate directly from your mobile phone or computer.  My goal is to raise a minimum of $500.00.  So please ask people you work with, family and friends to donate.