October 31 is almost here - Have you taken the challenge yet?

MS® National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Every Dollar Gets DOUBLED October 31 is almost here — Have you taken the challenge yet? We need your help in doubling efforts to end MS — Today! Today we are ever closer to a world free of MS. As someone whose life has been touched by MS, you know we can't stop now. MS has finally met its match. For every gift you make to the National MS Society by October 31, the Merwyn and Dolly Dan family will match your donation dollar-for-dollar — up to a total of $200,000. There is still time to make a gift and help double the impact on efforts to help people with MS. When the Dan's daughter was diagnosed with MS, it changed their family forever. That's why they are leading this essential effort to raise up to $200,000 by October 31 for important advancements — like research on myelin repair, which may one day stop the progression of MS for the Dans' daughter and those in your life living with MS. Please join our Match Challenge today! Because of supporters like you, we are ever closer to ensuring a brighter future for all families by propelling research and providing critical programs and services for people living with MS. Thank you for your support! Sincerely, Krista Asteriadis Byers Associate Vice President of Individual Giving National MS Society P.S. Hurry! Time is running out to make a gift before October 31! Just click here to make your donation today! Please note that this offer only applies to gifts received in response to this campaign. Other fundraising efforts — including Bike MS and Walk MS — do not qualify for this match. Thank you for your understanding and support!

It's not too late - Take the challenge today!

Do you dream of a world free of MS? Help make it reality. Since Merwyn and Dolly Dan's daughter was diagnosed with MS in 1998, their family has dreamed of a world free of MS. As someone whose life has been touched by MS, you no doubt share the same dream. And MS has finally met its match. It’s not too late to join the Match Challenge today and help us end MS forever! For every gift you make to the National MS Society by October 31, the Dan family will match your donation dollar-for-dollar — up to a total of $200,000. That's double the impact on the lives of people living with MS. Because of supporters like you, we are ever closer to ensuring a brighter future for all families by propelling research and providing critical programs and services for people living with MS. Thank you for your support! Sincerely, Krista Asteriadis Byers Associate Vice President of Individual Giving National MS Society P.S. The Dan family will match any gift in response to this offer through October 31. Just click here to make your donation today! Please note that this offer only applies to gifts received in response to this campaign. Other fundraising efforts — including Bike MS and Walk MS — do not qualify for this match. Thank you for your understanding and support! DONATE NOW National MS Society | View as Web page | Legal Notice/Privacy Policy | Email Preferences | Unsubscribe National Multiple Sclerosis Society | 733 Third Avenue | New York, NY | 10017 Contact us at: http://www.nationalmssociety.org/ or 1-800-344-4867. This message was sent to wrennstephen844@gmail.com . To ensure that you continue to receive our e-mails, please add us to your address book.

Victory in Medicare Lawsuit

Many times a year, MS Activists around the country contact their legislators to urge support of policies and funding that will benefit people living with multiple sclerosis (MS). Today, the Society is pleased to announce that another type of activism—judicial action—has resulted in a settlement that will help ensure that people with MS get the home health care, skilled nursing home stays and outpatient therapy they need. Just two years ago, the Society joined as an original plaintiff in a class action lawsuit that challenged the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) inappropriate and illegal practice of denying Medicare coverage to those who are unable to show that they are improving from certain skilled care services, including therapy. This practice has been particularly impactful for people with chronic, degenerative diseases such as MS for which services such as therapy may be exactly what is needed to help slow deterioration. As a result of the lawsuit, the government has agreed to take corrective action so that it will not happen in the future. The government will revise relevant portions of its Medicare Benefit Policy Manual and engage in a nationwide Educational Campaign about the corrected maintenance coverage standards. Members of class will also be entitled to a re-review of their denied claim within the next year. We at the National MS Society are very pleased with the progress which has been made in this case. Medicare beneficiaries living with MS and other chronic illnesses will now definitively be able to receive important needed health care services that prevent decline and maximize independence. To learn more about this important settlement and about one of its inspirational plaintiffs who lives with MS, click here. The Society recognizes the work of the Center for Medicare Advocacy, Inc. which has coordinated the legal proceedings for plaintiffs in this case and acted as lead counsel. The other national organizations that entered the case as plaintiffs are: Parkinson’s Action Network, the Alzheimer’s Association, Paralyzed Veterans of America, United Cerebral Palsy and the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare.

Here are 200,000 reasons we're closer to ending MS

Merwyn and Dolly Dan's daughter was diagnosed with MS in 1998 and it changed their family forever. Since that day 15 years ago, the Dans have dreamed of a world free of MS. As someone whose life has been touched by MS, you no doubt share the same dream. But today, we are doing more than imagining. Together, we're working tirelessly to make this dream a reality. Please join the Match Challenge today! For every gift you make to the National MS Society by October 31, the Dan family will match your donation dollar-for-dollar — up to a total of $200,000. And because MS has touched your life personally, you know firsthand the power of having double the resources for important advancements — like leading research on myelin repair, which may one day stop the progression of MS for the Dans' daughter and those in your life living with MS. Your support means so much — for the Dan family and for all the families you know whose lives were changed forever on the day an MS diagnosis was made. MS has finally met its match. And you can help us ensure a world free of MS. Because of supporters like you, we are ever closer to ensuring a brighter future for everyone impacted by MS by propelling research and providing critical programs and services for people living with MS. Thank you for your support! Sincerely, Krista Asteriadis Byers Associate Vice President of Individual Giving National MS Society

Speaking Opportunity for Multiple Sclerosis Activists

WEGO Health MS Health Activists - Speak up! As part of our ongoing mission to empower Health Activists, educate, and raise awareness, WEGO Health will be holding a virtual panel for active members of the online health community and we wanted to make sure you had a chance to participate. This panel will bring together other patients and caregivers for an informal discussion of the topics that matter most to you. You can RSVP here: Multiple Sclerosis Panel We hope you will join us to share your story and your thoughts with others who are interested. If you can't join us or if this panel isn't the best fit, please join the WEGO Health Network at www.wegohealth.com for additional opportunities and programs - we'd love to have you as a member! Cheers, Susan M. Vice President, Community Relations follow on Twitter | friend on Facebook | forward to a friend Copyright © 2012 WEGO Health, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you are an active member of the online health community. Our mailing address is: WEGO Health 180 Lincoln St, Fifth Floor Boston, MA 02111 Add us to your address book unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences

Upcoming Teleconference Series

The Spectrum of MS: Fall 2012 Series Join us from the comfort of your own phone for informative conference calls on a diverse range of topics for people living with MS. To ensure timely receipt of materials, please register one week prior to call. Register today! Registration is FREE. For more information or to register online, or call 1-800-344-4867, option 1. Wednesday, October 24, 2012 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Top 10 List of MS Questions This call will address the most common questions and concerns facing individuals newly diagnosed with MS. Speaker: Angela Applebee, M.D. Director of the MS Center of Northern New England at Fletcher Allen Health Care Registration Deadline: October 17, 2012 Wednesday, November 28, 2012 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Invisible Symptoms People who have “invisible” MS symptoms have a unique set of difficulties. This call will address the “invisible” symptoms of MS such as pain, fatigue, and cognitive issues and how to manage these symptoms effectively. Speaker: Pam Mills, RN, BSN, MSCN Registered nurse who specializes in oncology and multiple sclerosis. Registration Deadline: November 21, 2012 Wednesday, December 12, 2012 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. MS: A Family Affair MS comes with many challenges for both the individual and family living with MS. Changes occur in family roles and everyday functions. Learning about MS and communicating are effective strategies for coping with these challenges and developing a healthier lifestyle. Speaker: Peggy Crawford, Ph.D., PSYD, Clinical Psychologist, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital; contributing author to Multiple Sclerosis: A Guide for Families Speaker: Bonnie Danowski, family member of a person with MS and active volunteer for NMSS Arizona Chapter Registration Deadline: December 5, 2012 Register today! Registration is FREE. For more information or to register online, or call 1-800-344-4867, option 1. Stay tuned for spring session teleconferences taking place in April, May, and June 2013. Upcoming topics: Bowel & Bladder, Sex, and Progressive MS. This educational series is made available through the collaboration of the following chapters of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society: Connecticut, Greater New England, Long Island, New Jersey Metro, New York City - Southern New York, Rhode Island and Upstate New York. National Multiple Sclerosis Society Greater New England Chapter P.O. Box 845945 Boston, MA 02284-5945 1-800-344-4867 http://www.msnewengland.org/

Register NOW for your FREE tickets: Making Connections: Annual Meeting of Members & Conference

Making Connections: Annual Meeting of Members & Conference Saturday October 20, 2012 9am-3pm REGISTER NOW for your FREE tickets This conference includes MS education, annual meeting of members, research update and a health & resource EXPO. Conference attendees will have the opportunity to visit the exhibitors to learn about health, recreation, independence products and services and to network and share experiences with others living with MS. Updates on MS research at all 4 sites. DCU Center, Worcester MA: The Hope of Emerging Therapies in Multiple Sclerosis with Elliot Frohman, MD, Director, MS Program, Dept. of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Augusta Civic Center, Augusta ME: MS & Rehabilitation: What’s New that can Help You? with Alexius E.G. Sandoval, MD, Rehabilitation Medicine, EMMC Executive Court Banquet Facility, Manchester NH: MS Research: What’s on the Horizon with Nicholas LaRocca, PhD, Director of Health Care Delivery and Policy Research at the National MS Society. The Essex, Essex VT: Mapping the Way: Directions in MS Research with Ann Cabot, DO, Concord Hospital Neurology Associates Registration deadline: October 12, 2012 Cost: FREE To register: Call 1-800-344-4867 Register online: Augusta, Maine Worcester, Mass. Manchester, N.H. Essex, Vt. Because MS affects more than just the individual diagnosed, our programs welcome friends and family members unaccompanied by a person with MS. If you cannot attend but would like to vote by proxy, fill out the proxy form. This program is handicapped accessible This program not suitable for children. Adults with MS and their adult guests National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater New England Chapter 101A First Avenue, Suite 6 | Waltham, Mass. 02451-1115 tel: 1 800-344-4867 | fax: 1 781-890-2089 | MSnewengland.org

Federal Focus - October 2012

Congressional Agenda as Election Approaches In September, Congress passed and the President signed into law a Continuing Resolution that will keep the federal government and its programs operating for the next six months. This was necessary because Congress did not pass its twelve appropriations bills before the start of the fiscal year, October 1. As a result, priorities for the MS community such as funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and MS research in the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) are not likely to be determined for quite some time. Congress could finalize funding before the end of 2012 or wait until after the new Congress is sworn in next year. Their course will at least partly be determined by the outcome of the November elections. Weighing on Congress’s mind are the across-the-board cuts known as “sequestration” scheduled to take effect in early January 2013. Sequestration is required under the Budget Control Act because the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (the “Super Committee”) failed to reach a long-term compromise to reduce the federal deficit. The cuts will total $1.2 trillion in federal savings over the next ten years, with half of the cuts coming from defense spending and half from non-defense spending. Medicaid, Social Security, and Medicare beneficiaries are exempt from these cuts, but Medicare providers could face up to a 2% reduction each year. In mid-September, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released a report estimating the amount each federal agency would be cut. Under sequestration, many of the key healthcare agencies would be adversely affected. For example, OMB estimated that the NIH would face $2.52 billion in cuts and the Food and Drug Administration would lose $318 million. The Society joined over 3,000 national, state, and local organizations in a letter to Congress urging them to work with the President to avoid sequestration and protect non-defense discretionary programs that support important work like medical research and public health as much as possible. There is a small group of Senators talking and trying to reach a comprehensive and more specific deficit reduction that could delay sequestration, but consensus for now is far off and will also likely be impacted by the election. Medicare Prescription Drug Open Enrollment – Act by December 7 If you receive prescription drug coverage through Medicare Part D, now is the time to review your coverage choices and change to another plan-- if you need to. Medicare Part D’s Open Enrollment period begins on October 15th and ends on December 7th. This is the only time you can switch Medicare prescription drug plans during the calendar year unless you qualify for a special enrollment opportunity. Current enrollees should have received a notice from their plan if any changes are planned regarding the amount they will have to pay in premiums or out-of-pocket expenses or changes to the formulary (the list of medications the plan will cover). If you did not receive such a notice, you have the right to request it from your plan. To learn more about Medicare Part D in English or Spanish, see the official website. To speak with an MS Navigator, call us at 1-800-FIGHT-MS (1-800) 344-4867.

Reminder -- Making Connections: Annual Meeting of Members & Conference

Making Connections: Annual Meeting of Members & Conference Saturday October 20, 2012 9am-3pm This conference includes MS education, annual meeting of members, research update and a health & resource EXPO. Conference attendees will have the opportunity to visit the exhibitors to learn about health, recreation, independence products and services and to network and share experiences with others living with MS. Updates on MS research at all 4 sites. DCU Center, Worcester MA: The Hope of Emerging Therapies in Multiple Sclerosis with Elliot Frohman, MD, Director, MS Program, Dept. of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Augusta Civic Center, Augusta ME: MS & Rehabilitation: What’s New that can Help You? with Alexius E.G. Sandoval, MD, Rehabilitation Medicine, EMMC Executive Court Banquet Facility, Manchester NH: MS Research: What’s on the Horizon with Nicholas LaRocca, PhD, Director of Health Care Delivery and Policy Research at the National MS Society. The Essex, Essex VT: Mapping the Way: Directions in MS Research with Ann Cabot, DO, Concord Hospital Neurology Associates Registration deadline: October 12, 2012 Cost: $10 per person. This program includes lunch. Limit 2 adult guests per registrant. For persons with MS: If you would like complimentary admission, please register by phone at 1-800-344-4867 and indicate that you would like complimentary admission. To register: Call 1-800-344-4867 Register online Because MS affects more than just the individual diagnosed, our programs welcome friends and family members unaccompanied by a person with MS. If you cannot attend but would like to vote by proxy, fill out the proxy form. This program is handicapped accessible This program not suitable for children. Adults with MS and their adult guests National MS Society | Legal Notice/Privacy Policy | Email Preferences | Unsubscribe National Multiple Sclerosis Society | 733 Third Avenue | New York, NY | 10017 Contact us at: http://www.nationalmssociety.org/ or 1-800-344-4867.