The MS Society urges supporters to try different fundraising approaches in the “social distancing” era, such as solo cycling events.MS SOCIETY OF CANADA
When Julia Stewart was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2004, she was frightened and uncertain about her future. Like many in her shoes, she knew little about the disease and its potential impacts on her life, but it wasn’t long before she received information and support from the MS Society of Canada.
Stewart was soon enrolled in an MS drug trial and joined an MS Society peer support group. Today, she is doing well and is being treated with one of the newer MS medications – developed with the help of research funded by the MS Society.
“The impact of the MS Society on my life has been profound,” says Stewart, who lives in Fredericton, New Brunswick. “As my health stabilized, I knew I wanted to give something back. I now sit on the council and help lead the advocacy work as a volunteer for the MS Society’s Atlantic Division. It’s empowering to help achieve change to better people’s lives.”
Stewart is one of thousands of Canadians with MS who have relied upon the MS Society and who work through it to strengthen the patient community. She is concerned about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on those with MS, as well as on the future of the MS Society. “Its work is vital for so many people, and if its capacity is diminished, it would leave a massive gap.”
Like many charitable organizations, the MS Society has been rocked by the pandemic, with impacts on both patient service delivery and levels of support from donors.
“We are a grassroots organization, and therefore, in communities across the country, we simply can’t deliver our usual face-to-face patient supports during the pandemic,” says Pamela Valentine, president and CEO of the MS Society.
Pamela Valentine“Canada has one of the highest rates of MS in the world, and it is critical that the MS Society maintains resources for programs, services and research.
President and CEO of the MS Society
The MS Society is doing its best to pivot to virtual delivery, but that has limitations, Valentine says. “For example, a group in Saskatchewan is delivering physiotherapy-guided movement sessions online, but that can’t reach patients without WiFi access.”
Another challenge is dealing with dramatically reduced financial support from donors and sponsors – many of whom are dealing with their own financial challenges. A lot of money is raised through in-person events no longer possible, such as the annual flagship fundraiser, MS Bike.
“We are highly reliant on donor dollars – they account for 98 per cent of our funding. We are projecting a drop in revenues of 50 to 75 per cent, which means less money for research, patient education and critical patient services,” says Valentine.
The MS Society has appealed to the federal government for help, sending a letter to the Prime Minister to request additional dollars for the MS population, while also joining the Health Charities Coalition of Canada in its request for broader financial support.
Although the government recently announced $350-million for the charitable sector, Valentine points out those funds are for specific activities and are open to all 80,000 charitable organizations in Canada.
“Our worry is that if the right supports don’t help the charitable sector, there will be long-term impact for all those vulnerable Canadians,” says Valentine. “Canada has one of the highest rates of MS in the world, and it is critical that the MS Society maintains resources for programs, services and research.”
During the pandemic, the MS Society has created a virtual fundraising platform branded as #WeChallengeMS and is encouraging supporters to create innovative virtual events to raise funds. Support is available through the MS Knowledge Network.
Reach an MS Navigator from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET, Monday to Friday at 1-844-859-6789 or msnavigators@mssociety.ca
Produced by Randall Anthony Communications. The Globe’s editorial department was not involved in its creation.