Your Questions Answered – Hear Directly From Dr. Cramer on What This Change Means for You
With a deep sense of gratitude for her years of dedicated service to the Multiple Sclerosis community, the MS Alliance of Virginia presents this candid and informative farewell interview with Dr. Jill Cramer. As she embarks on a new chapter, Dr. Cramer graciously shares the personal reasons behind her transition, offers crucial guidance for her patients navigating this change, and reflects on her impactful journey. We extend our sincerest thanks to Dr. Cramer for her unwavering commitment and wish her the very best in all her future endeavors.
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Katie Meyer to Speak to VTCSOM Students.
The Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine (VTCSOM) is employing an innovative educational method known as Problem-Based Learning (PBL) to prepare its students for future careers. Through this approach, students interact directly with individuals living with conditions like Multiple Sclerosis (MS), gaining real-world perspectives on the diseases they will one day treat.
MS patient and advocate, Katie Meyer, will soon be sharing her experience with students in the program for the third year in a row. Katie, who was diagnosed with MS in 2013, has been a dedicated volunteer with the MS Alliance of VA (MSAV) since its founding and currently serves as a co-facilitator for our online MS Support Group Meetings. Katie hopes students will understand the individuality of this disease, “MS manifests differently in each person, and symptoms can change rapidly. Despite these challenges, those of us with MS must constantly advocate for ourselves – with insurance and pharmaceutical companies, employers, and sometimes even our own families who may not fully grasp the nature of this invisible illness. If our doctors can understand all of the moving parts that make up the MS patient, they can then give us better care.” Read full story HERE.
Acthar Gel Self-Injection Option Available in US, Mallinckrodt Says
People with multiple sclerosis (MS) and other conditions who use Mallinckrodt‘s treatment Acthar Gel(repository corticotropin injection) now have a self-injection option, the company said. Acthar Gel Single-Dose Pre-filled SelfJect is available in two dosages — 40 USP...
Seasonal Life Hacks for MS
Living with multiple sclerosis (MS) can be tough because it brings challenges to our everyday life. It's like trying to do regular things when your body and mind are not always cooperating. That's where life hacks come in. Life hacks for those with MS are not just...
Cognitive Impairments Affect About a Third of RRMS Patients: Analysis
About a third of people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) exhibit cognitive impairments, according to a review by Australian researchers of 50 previously published studies. The findings suggest that cognitive issues might be somewhat less common in...
Machine Learning Analysis of Eye Scans May Aid Diagnosis of MS
Using machine learning to analyze eye scans can help detect slight changes that may be early signs of multiple sclerosis (MS), potentially aiding in early diagnosis of the disease, a study found. The study, “SLO-Net: Enhancing Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis Beyond...
Pseudobulbar Affect
Many people with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience pseudobulbar affect (PBA). PBA is a neurological (nerve) condition that causes episodes of uncontrolled laughing or crying. The outbursts do not match your mood or emotions. They may be stronger or last longer than...
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.
Our Mission Statement
Provide programs, events, activities and services for people living with MS in Southwest Virginia and the surrounding areas, including veterans.
Educate and empower people with MS, their care partners, friends and family. We will guide people to organizations that may be able to assist with their needs.
Contribute to awareness in the community, including educational programs to young people, first responders and community organizations.
Encourage and expand support groups to include assisted-living facilities, homebound people and help others start upbeat groups like ours.