Up Front
Increasing Outreach of MSAA’s Vital Programs
By Gina Ross Murdoch
MSAA President and CEO
As we transition into the autumn months, our work to fulfill MSAA’s mission is busier than ever. The growth of our programs is essential to Improving Lives Today and serving the MS community in the best ways possible.
Examples of this growth include the ability to provide valuable support and resources to greater numbers of people through our Helpline Specialists… the dissemination of critical information on topics such as treatments, research, managing symptoms, general health and wellness strategies, and more via our educational programs, online information, plus our publications… delivering safety and mobility products as well as cooling vests for symptom relief… the continuing expansion of our webinar, podcast, and video offerings, plus one of our newer initiatives, the Multiple Sclerosis Implementation Network™ (MSIN™). This patient-centric initiative includes the development of a practice-based research network for medical professionals to share data and experiences to improve health outcomes for people with MS.
This is just a sampling of the vital work that MSAA performs every day to fulfill our mission of Improving Lives Today for all those affected by MS. However, another crucial part of our work is to raise the money needed to keep these programs flourishing. One of our fundraising opportunities is Team MSAA’s participation in the annual runDisney events, which include the Walt Disney World® Marathon Weekend from January 8-12, 2025, and the Disneyland® Half Marathon Weekend from January 30 – February 2, 2025.
For the past few years, I have joined more than 100 other runners, walkers, and virtual participants in raising funds for MSAA’s programs and services, while also making new friends and hearing inspirational stories of challenges and personal achievements. For more information, please see our “Thoughts About Giving” column.
We also have a number of other ways to support MSAA and the MS community. These include making a donation to honor or remember someone special, as well as creating your own DIY fundraiser. And finally, I want to mention that Giving Tuesday on December 3rd is an important date to show your support for MSAA and our free programs and services.
In addition, I would like to point out the significance of this issue’s cover story focusing on the topics of balance, mobility, and dizziness. Difficulties in these areas are experienced by a large percentage of individuals with MS – and learning more about these symptoms and how they may be better managed can help to improve both safety and quality of life.
Before concluding this edition of “Up Front,” I want to wish all of our readers good health and happiness throughout the rest of 2024 and into the New Year.
Gina Ross Murdoch is a seasoned executive in non-profit management. Her career includes leadership positions with chapters of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as well as the American Diabetes Association. Earlier, Ms. Murdoch spent 14 years overseeing development activities at a large chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, leading explosive growth initiatives and ground-breaking strategic projects. She currently serves as Treasurer of the Multiple Sclerosis Coalition (MSC), a group of nine separate organizations dedicated to supporting the MS community. Ms. Murdoch has held several elected positions in her town; volunteers for her college alma mater, Drew University; and recently, earned her Master’s in Business Administration from Boston University.
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