About Us

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS ALLIANCE OF VIRGINIA

 The Multiple Sclerosis Alliance of Virginia (MSAV) focuses on helping people living with MS by providing programs, services and events for people living with MS, including veterans (our Founder is a Veteran).  Our offices are in the Roanoke Area MS Center (RAMS) in Salem, Va.

What started as the nonprofit brainchild of Suzanne Oconnell, leader of the Roanoke Valley MS Support Group that was bursting at the seams, is continuing to grow in leaps and bounds.  This local 100% volunteer led organization helps those that live with MS, including their families and caregivers, by supporting support groups, starting new groups, and holding educational programs and empowering events for people whose lives have been affected by MS.  Our annual MS Patient Conference and March Awareness Mini-Retreat help build a more informed community with better understanding of this many times ‘invisible disease’.  We bring upbeat, happy, sets of activities such as Cinderella’s Closet complete with makeovers and fashion shows, Strike Out MS pool and ball tournaments and exercise specifically geared to people with MS by partnering with Carilion Wellness and Radford University PT.

We also contribute to awareness in the community. Please invite us to speak at your school, civic organization, business, nursing home, church or club. We want more people to understand this unpredictable disease that affects the entire community, not just the person diagnosed.

The MSAV is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.