Bloomberg Senior Executive Editor Among Honorees at National Annual Benefit

John McCorry, Senior Executive Editor for the Americas at Bloomberg News; Dorothea Pfohl, Founding Member of IOMSN; and the Knights of Columbus Santa Maria Council #1443 will be recognized by MSAA

The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) is proud to announce their distinguished honorees for the 2018 Improving Lives Benefit scheduled for Thursday, March 22 at the Down Town Club in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This event recognizes the accomplishments of MSAA champions in the MS community, while raising funds to support the free, vital programs and services provided by MSAA. The following community leaders will be honored during the event:

• John McCorry – Mr. McCorry has been a dedicated member of MSAA’s Board of Directors since 2009 and currently serves as Chairman. Mr. McCorry has supported MSAA through his leadership on the Board of Directors as well as his participation in numerous organizational initiatives and fundraising events. John has a personal connection to multiple sclerosis and understands the daily challenges the disease has for so many living with MS. Professionally, Mr. McCorry has extensive experience in the journalism field and currently serves as Senior Executive Editor for the Americas at Bloomberg News. He is in charge of more than 40 bureaus and oversees top news from the region.
• Dorothea “Dottie” Cassidy Pfohl, RN, BS, MSCN – Ms. Pfohl is a vital member of MSAA’s Healthcare Advisory Council (HAC), bringing extensive expertise from her work in the healthcare field to assist the organization. A nurse with more than 45 years of experience, Ms. Pfohl has been involved in supporting neurological research since 1982. Although now retired from full-time work, Ms. Pfohl also served as clinical coordinator of the Comprehensive MS Center of the Department of Neurology at the University of Pennsylvania Health System from 1991 to 2014. Ms. Pfohl is a founding member of the International Organization of Multiple Sclerosis Nurses (IOMSN.) Her specialization in the care of people with MS began in 1989 and her roles have included research, clinical practice, and community outreach.
• Knights of Columbus Santa Maria Council #1443 – A personal connection to MS inspired this devoted group to raise significant funds for MSAA’s programs and services for four years. Events include their Annual Coin Toss during MS Awareness Month. Through their efforts, they have raised more than $10,000 in support of the MS community.

MSAA’s Improving Lives Benefit raises vital funds to provide free programs and services to the MS community. Examples of these services include safety and mobility equipment; a Helpline with trained specialists to assist the MS community with navigating the complexities of MS; funding for MRIs to help diagnose and track the disease; educational programs; and many other services. The Benefit will include a national online auction, wine pull, guest speakers, and more. The presenting sponsor for MSAA’s Improving Lives Benefit is Novartis. For additional information on supporting this event, please visit: http://support.mymsaa.org/benefit.

“We are so pleased to recognize this group of dedicated and inspirational honorees during this year’s Improving Lives Benefit,” said MSAA’s President and CEO Gina Ross Murdoch. “This event brings together leaders in the MS community, all gathering for one purpose – to provide support for people affected by MS through our free programs.”

For questions about MSAA and the Improving Lives Benefit, please contact Kaitlyn Gallagher, Public Relations & Marketing Coordinator at (800) 532-7667, ext. 122 or via email at kgallagher@mymsaa.org.

About MSAA

The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) is a national nonprofit organization and leading resource for the entire MS community, improving lives today through vital services and support. MSAA provides free programs and services, such as: a Helpline with trained specialists; award-winning publications, including MSAA’s magazine, The Motivator; MSAA’s nationally recognized website featuring award-winning educational videos and research updates; S.E.A.R.C.H.™ program to assist the MS community with learning about different treatment choices; a mobile phone app, My MS Manager™ (named one of the best multiple sclerosis iPhone & Android apps by Healthline.com); a resource database, My MS Resource Locator®; safety and mobility equipment distribution; cooling accessories for heat-sensitive individuals; educational programs held across the country; MRI funding; My MSAA Community, a peer-to-peer online support forum; a clinical trial search tool; and more. For additional information, please visit www.mymsaa.org or call (800) 532-7667.

About Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system (CNS), which consists of the brain, optic nerves, and spinal cord. MS damages or destroys the protective covering (known as myelin) surrounding the nerves of the CNS, and can potentially injure the nerves as well. This damage causes reduced communication between the brain and nerve pathways. Common MS symptoms include visual problems, overwhelming fatigue, difficulty with balance and coordination, depression and cognitive issues, and various levels of impaired mobility. Many experts estimate that 2.5 million people worldwide have been diagnosed with this disease, and most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 50. MS is not contagious and researchers continue to look for both a cause and a cure.