Student raises money, awareness for multiple sclerosis
Student with MS advocates for Lawrence’s Walk MS on April 12
Kelly Mesi supports Walk MS because it helps with MS research and can help find a cure.
By Mary Sorrick (Contact)
Thursday, April 3rd, 2008
Kelly Mesi, Chicago senior, was 21 years old when the first symptom of multiple sclerosis hit.
It was in May of last year, after spending the spring studying in Paris and Florence, Italy, when the vision in Mesi’s left eye began to fade to black.
By October, back at the University of Kansas, Mesi had developed double vision.
“My eyes were jumping up and down and I couldn’t stop them,” she said.
About MS
-most people are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50
-2-3 times more common in women than men
-the risk of developing MS in the general population is 1/750
-the risk of developing MS in anyone who has a close relative with the disease is 1/40
-MS is less common in areas close to the equator
-MS occurs primarily in white people of northern European ancestry
-Some ethnic groups, such as the Aborigines from Australia and Maoris from New Zealand, do not get the disease at all
Source: National MS Society
That is when doctors officially diagnosed her with multiple sclerosis, or MS.
The disease was causing Mesi’s immune system to attack the nerve fibers between her spinal cord and brain, resulting in her on-again, off-again vision loss.
She is one of 400,000 Americans living with MS, according to the National MS Society.
And, on April 12, she also will be one of the more than 100 people participating in the 20th anniversary of Lawrence’s Walk MS.
Walk MS, held by the National MS Society, raises money each year to support national MS research and local programs such as self-help groups and MS education programs.
Jenny Oxandale, branch manager of the National MS Society, said Lawrence was second throughout Kansas only to Topeka in fundraising dollars from Walk MS, which was also held in cities such as Manhattan and Salina.
Oxandale said last year’s fundraising total reached $21,460, a number she planned to beat this year with Mesi’s help.
With more than a week left until Walk MS, Mesi has raised $4,694, which is more than any other walk participate has raised.
She had sent e-mails to friends and family asking for donations, but Mesi said she was stunned by the extent of how much people were willing to give.
“I was speechless,” Mesi said. “I just wanted to raise $1,000, and I’m almost at $5,000. I’m ecstatic about that.”
Fundraising for MS research was especially important to Mesi, not just because she was diagnosed with the disease, but because scientists still don’t have a cure.
“It affects women ages 20 to 35 the most,” Mesi said. “Think about all the moms and daughters and girlfriends that are approaching that age.”
In the Kansas City area alone, Mesi said more than 5,500 people had MS.
The type of MS Mesi has, called relapsing-remitting, means she fully recovers from occasional symptoms like vision loss, but she said the disease has caused a constant tingling in her hands and feet.
It is a constant reminder of the way her life has changed since doctors diagnosed her in October.
Mesi now adheres to a completely new diet devoid of any coffee, beer, white starches or trans fats. She must also inject herself with an intramuscular shot every other Monday night.
The experience has motivated her to do what she can to support MS research.
“Donating money or just spreading awareness is huge,” Mesi said, “because all these people are living without a cure.”
To donate money to Mesi before Walk MS on April 12, click here.
— Edited by Mandy Earles
Discussion
All comments are moderated by Kansan.com staff. For our full user policy, click here.
Share your 2¢
Requires free registration.