An annual dinner benefiting efforts to cure and treat multiple sclerosis raised more than $100,000 by Tuesday evening with money still on the way.
The held its annual Harrisonburg Dinner of Champions at the James Madison University Festival Conference and Student Center, raising $101,245, Fay Painter, chapter president, said.
鈥淎nd donations are still coming in,鈥� said Ryan Waid, the event鈥檚 chair.
Multiple sclerosis causes a body鈥檚 own defense system to attack nerve fibers that surround and protect the brain, optic nerves and spinal cord.
Waid said during the dinner鈥檚 opening remarks that in the event鈥檚 19 years, the chapter has raised just shy of $1.5 million to fight the disease.
At each dinner, the chapter presents the Silver Hope Award, its highest honor. This year, the award was presented to , longtime chapter supporter and president of 91短视频.
鈥淗e鈥檚 been involved with the event for many years,鈥� Painter said.
Waid said Swartzendruber was given the award 鈥渇or his outstanding leadership in the community.鈥�
Swartzendruber said that while he became involved with the chapter through his duties at 91短视频, the organization is important to him after seeing how MS has affected his cousin back home in Iowa.
鈥淚鈥檝e seen the devastating effect of that disease on her life,鈥� he said. 鈥淸She has] battled through it for many years.鈥�
While Swartzendruber said he鈥檚 no expert, he gave a thumbnail sketch of the disease鈥檚 effects. Some people may be diagnosed and show no symptoms for years, while in others it comes on quickly, he said.
鈥淭he symptoms are very different depending on the individual,鈥� he said.
Money raised from the event will go toward finding a cure and supporting 6,000 people affected by MS and their families throughout the chapter鈥檚 region, which includes half of Virginia, all of West Virginia and part of Kentucky, Painter said.
鈥淲e envision a world free of MS,鈥� she said.
The chapter鈥檚 next fundraising event is the Tour de Vine on June 8 and 9. The two-day bike ride begins and ends at Pollack Vineyards in Greenwood.
The tour, which is the chapter鈥檚 biggest single fundraiser, is expected to raise more than $400,000, Painter said.
Cyclists must each raise $300 to participate. Email vab@nmss.org 聽for more details about the event.
Article courtesy Daily News Record, May 29, 2013