News

In Honor of Chris Nuckols

(February 28, 1946 – April 19, 2022)

What happens when you plant many seeds, water them, nurture them, and help them grow?   They keep growing and blossoming, right?  Just like the miracle the Multiple Sclerosis Alliance of Virginia has. There were very limited if any services, programs, or support in our area prior to its founding in 2015.  There was no MS Center, no specialists, and no MS events unless they were put on by national organizations raising money for national programs.  We needed help right here in Roanoke and the New River Valley.

A little support group with a few old people decided to change that, having no idea what was about to happen. The little group kept growing, offering educational programs and fun events, and empowering people with MS to create their own support. In other words, it was simply people with MS helping people with MS.  The result was a nonprofit formed by the helping hands of a few people.  One of them was Chris Nuckols: retired from the railroad and hungering for more MS services in our area.  Chris, along with Suzanne Oconnell, several others, and no funding; founded the MS Alliance of Virginia.  Chris, a founding board member, worked endlessly to help find avenues to raise funds without asking people living with MS as most were already struggling with the high cost of MS treatments, loss of income, doctor bills, and more. Chris understood that burden, so he searched for ways to fund the Alliance without asking more from our friends and families. He found Amazon Smile and headed up our year-end request for donations.  He worked with group members to create fundraisers that people living with MS could easily participate in.  He knew awareness was the key to getting more funding, as well as reaching people with MS feeling alone in their journey, so he helped launch one of our biggest annual projects: the March MS Awareness Proclamations.

He wasn’t shy, even inviting the Governor of Virginia, Mayors of Roanoke and Salem, and involving the community at large.  He wasn’t afraid to ask for donations from those who could afford to help an organization that he knew was making a difference for people like him living with MS.   He rarely missed a meeting. He helped with most special events and programs and offered his talents until MS started limiting his ability to be involved.   He then proudly involved his wife Dede, who was his greatest supporter encouraging and helping him to stay active on the Board as long as possible.  Dede knew he was loved and highly respected by our group, knew he wanted to help others, and knew that he was doing exactly that.

Dede is asking for donations for the Multiple Sclerosis Alliance of Virginia in Chris’s honor.  She has asked us to do what Chris would do and make it easy for people to donate. So, Chris, in your honor, our donate button is for you right now.  Anyone wanting to honor his legacy and his giving hands that helped build our local MS organization please click here.

MSAV CONTINUES PARTNERSHIP
WITH VT LINEBACKER KESHON ARTIS

 Keshon Artis is a two-time first team all-state linebacker and 2016 6A South Region Player of the Year. He finished his senior season with 103 tackles, 15.0 sacks, 39 tackles for loss, six forced fumbles and two pass break ups. He was Coached by Scott Johnson at Oscar Smith High School, where he was the 2017 Southeastern District Defensive Player of the Year.  Keshon represented the United States on the U19 National Team in the 2018 International Bowl IX.  With the Hokies in 2021 he played in all 13 games.