Yesterday we went to a fund-raising bike-a-thon in Ohio, between Columbus and Cincinnati. It was a great event. We got to meet people, they had a live band, ice cream truck, free Vitamin Water, except for the heat it was a perfect day. The heat did keep away a lot of folks especially since heat is not a friend to suffers of MS. AS a result we fell short of our goal to raise money so we are offering our t-shirts online to be able to hopefully reach more people and achieve our goal.

Go to Orange is the new Pink to purchase your t-shirt today.

What is MS?
It’s an unpredictable disease of the central nervous system, multiple sclerosis (MS) can range from relatively benign to somewhat disabling to devastating, as communication between the brain and other parts of the body is disrupted. Many investigators believe MS to be an autoimmune disease — one in which the body, through its immune system, launches a defensive attack against its own tissues. In the case of MS, it is the nerve-insulating myelin that comes under assault. Such assaults may be linked to an unknown environmental trigger, perhaps a virus.
Most people experience their first symptoms of MS between the ages of 20 and 40; the initial symptom of MS is often blurred or double vision, red-green color distortion, or even blindness in one eye. Most MS patients experience muscle weakness in their extremities and difficulty with coordination and balance. These symptoms may be severe enough to impair walking or even standing. In the worst cases, MS can produce partial or complete paralysis. Most people with MS also exhibit paresthesias, transitory abnormal sensory feelings such as numbness, prickling, or “pins and needles” sensations. Some may also experience pain. Speech impediments, tremors, and dizziness are other frequent complaints. Occasionally, people with MS have hearing loss. Approximately half of all people with MS experience cognitive impairments such as difficulties with concentration, attention, memory, and poor judgment, but such symptoms are usually mild and are frequently overlooked. Depression is another common feature of MS.
There aren’t currently any cures but raising awareness is important for funding and working toward a cure. If you want to help spread the word check out out Orange is the new Pink merchandise.

Also here is a blog written by someone with MS and it’s a fun read and informational. Travis.

GO ORANGE!!!!!

Awareness is the key to finding a cure for Multiple Sclerosis. Today is World MS Day and yet so many folks don’t know it. We need to make a balls out effort today to make sure that everyone we know understands what MS is and promote ORANGE as THE color!

There are too many awesome people who suffer from this disease and we must get the funding to find a cure. Grass roots is where the Susan G. Komen foundation started and look where they are now.

If each of us tells one person today about MS we can grow the awareness by leaps and bounds!! So DO IT!

Laina

Raise MS awareness through Orange is teh new pink merchandise and a donation to the MS Society. Click here.

Last weekend was a great event at the MS walk in Chicago. I am excited to be kicking off our 3 weeks promotion for increasing awareness for MS by offering my new Book Stilettos & Scoundrels with free shipping and $3 from each book to go to the MS Society.

The goal is to raise $3000 for MS.

3 weeks – $3000…..I know we can do it.

Laina

The support and turnout for the MS walk on Saturday in downtown Indy was tremendous. I saw so many friends and families walking for loved ones it was moving. Even the impending rain couldn’t stop folks.

I am looking forward to seeing the slogan Orange is the new pink to raise awareness on how we can fight this disease.

Laina

This Saturday downtown Indy will be the MS walk and everyone needs to show their support for Orange is the new Pink and my friend Terri Kyle who has MS as does her daughter Michelle. Please donate to her walk link.

Walk details: The event is on the lawn at IUPUI.
walk MS: Indianapolis
IUPUI: University Library Lawn located in downtown Indianapolis at Blackford and New York Streets
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Check-in starts at 7:30 a.m. and the Walk kicks off at 9:30 a.m. with the option of 1 or 3 mile walks. Parking is available in the Sports Complex Parking Garage and lot 86. Accessible parking is available across from the Library Lawn in lot 85. $4 per car.

There will be 3 tents set up on the lawn, and Orange is the new Pink will be in the middle one.

Please stop by, say hi, and have a great time at this very important cause.
Laina

We launched our first Orange is the New Pink (OITNP) fundraiser for raising MS awareness last night at Ruth Chris steakhouse. A smashing success we sold out of our OITNP apparel. Check out the store.

Grey Unisex Hoodie - OITNP $30

Unisex grey - OITNP $15

Ladies Grey - OITNP $20

Ladies White - OITNP $20