Denise Ellis is a familiar face for most of us at the MS Alliance. She has served as an inspirational speaker, conducted workshops, event photographer and excels at obtaining Proclamations from multiple municipalities for our Annual March MS Awareness Month Ceremony. She also mentors’ others who are interested in advocating for community awareness. She understands the need for local programs, services, and fun events because she, too, lives with multiple sclerosis, diagnosed in November 23 years ago. She graduated from Liberty High school and met her husband Mark while attending college at Virginia Intermont College in Bristol, Virginia, they now live in Alta Vista. Denise is a retired educator, freelance photographer, and most of all wife to Mark (for 31 years) and mother to Mark II. As she puts it “We fight MS as a family. Our son has been an MS Ambassador since he was 4.” She does not let MS stop her, most recently starting a new support group in her area. The Ellis family always lends a helping hand, never asking for, nor expecting, anything in return. We have all benefited from her encouragement and talents, especially in photography. A favorite memory is Mark’s “Kodak Moment” when he had his long, thick hair all cut off at a Cinderella’s Closet event a few years ago! When we get back together, hopefully soon, make sure you thank Denise and her family for their tireless hours they have devoted to the MS Alliance of Virginia. Denise’s statement “MS may have invaded my life, but it will not take it over” is something we should all embrace.