Support the MS Alliance of Virginia: Empowering Lives, Building Community
The MS Alliance of Virginia is a 100% volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit, dedicated to empowering individuals impacted by Multiple Sclerosis. We believe in focusing on what we can do, fostering a vibrant community through engaging events, vital support, and uplifting experiences.
We bring people together through:
- Educational Events: Informative sessions with expert speakers.
- Local Support Groups: Creating connections and shared understanding – including rural and underserved areas of SW Virginia.
- Signature Overnight Events: Including our festive Holiday Gala, impactful MS Awareness Month event, and a much-needed Respite Weekend offered at a significantly reduced rate for qualifying individuals.
Because we have no paid staff, every dollar you donate directly supports our programs and events, helping us create memorable experiences and provide crucial resources for our community.
Your contribution, no matter the size, makes a real difference. It helps us continue to offer:
- Opportunities for connection and fun
- Valuable educational resources
- A strong, supportive community for those living with MS
Please consider making a donation today. Join us in building a community where joy, education, and connection thrive.
Ready to make an impact?
CLICK HERE
The annual Brian Mason Respite Weekend is fast approaching, and we’re excited for another wonderful event! With many new faces joining us, we felt it was the perfect time to reintroduce the man who inspired it all. It is our distinct pleasure to present Brian Mason, a truly dedicated philanthropist whose unwavering commitment has profoundly impacted the Multiple Sclerosis Alliance of Virginia.
Brian is the visionary force behind the “Brian Mason Respite Camp,” an initiative born from his desire to offer a much-needed sanctuary for individuals living with MS and their caregivers. This camp provides a vital break from daily challenges, fostering a sense of community, respect, and love. His enduring support for the MS Alliance of Virginia, inspired by the passion of President Suzanne O’Connell, stems from a recognition of the Alliance’s crucial role in addressing the daily, on-the-ground needs of individuals with MS. Brian’s continued sponsorship isn’t just motivation; it’s a deep “connection” and a profound commitment to instilling “HOPE” in the hearts of everyone touched by MS.
Interview with Brian Mason
MSAV: To begin, could you tell us a bit about what initially inspired your journey into philanthropy?
BRIAN: I was President of the YARC (Youth Association for Retarded Children… not politically correct verbiage now) my junior and senior years in high school. I developed a passion for helping people less fortunate and for those who couldn’t help themselves. We participated in Special Olympics and took the children to places they otherwise wouldn’t have been able to see or experience. It was challenging (especially for teenagers), but the incredible feeling we received from watching the children’s faces was irreplaceable.
MSAV: The “Brian Mason Respite Camp” has become a beacon of hope and enjoyment for so many. Could you share the original vision and story behind how the camp first came to be?
BRIAN: The Respite Camp’s original purpose was to offer a getaway for people who suffered with MS and their caregivers. We wanted to first serve the most afflicted who may not otherwise get a vacation or time away from their home. We wanted caregivers to receive a much-needed break from the daily grind by having nurses and volunteers to take the burden away for a few days. We wanted to celebrate the ones who so bravely handled the day-to-day struggles and celebrate the caregivers who seldom received a thank you. It eventually evolved into something similar to today’s version with workshops and speakers. I’m very proud of the benefit it has been and continues to be for so many. It’s a magical experience as it makes everyone there feel respected and loved because it’s all about them as they associate with people who are experiencing the same affliction.
READ FULL INTERVIEW BY CLICKING HERE
Dosing Begins in Phase 2a Trial of Foralumab Nasal Spray for SPMS
Tiziana Life Sciences has dosed the first patient in a Phase 2a clinical trial testing its foralumab nasal spray in people with nonactive secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS). The trial will include about 54 participants, enrolled across six clinical sites....
How to Perform Exercises in Bed to Reduce Spasticity
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Trial Testing Metformin, Alpha-Lipoic Acid in Progressive MS Set to Start
A new clinical trial in Australia, called PLATYPUS, will simultaneously test two medications that have already been approved for other conditions in people with progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). The study, expected to launch in January, will use an...
FDA Clears BrainSpec’s Tool to Measure Metabolites on Brain Scans
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared BrainSpec Core, a platform that performs non-invasive measurements of brain chemistry, for use in diagnosing some of the most common diseases that affect the brain, including multiple sclerosis (MS). Developed by...
Recognition Ceremony Planned for December 8
OUR DINNER IS FULL AND REGISTRATION HAS ENDED. IF YOU DID NOT GET SIGNED UP FOR DINNER IN TIME, EMAIL MSAV4HOPE@GMAIL.COM TO BE PUT ON OUR WAITING LIST. IF YOU CANNOT MAKE IT TO THE DINNER, COME BY FOR THE AFTERPARTY! Join us Friday, December 8th, at the Holiday Inn...
The Virginia Energy Assistance Program (EAP) assists low-income households in meeting their immediate home energy needs. The EAP consists of four components: Fuel Assistance, Crisis Assistance, Cooling Assistance and Weatherization Assistance. Click on the flyer for more information.
