MS

MS Society of Canada’s MS Bike

June 22, 2022 by Walter Gefrom Leave a Comment

The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada has officially opened MS Bike: an annual cycling event that aims to raise awareness and funds necessary to continue research on the disease. MS Advocate Walter Gefrom discuses:

The MS Bike is back — finally! Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the awareness-focused fundraising event was held virtually in 2020 and 2021. But the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada is so happy to get back to in-person cycling events in 2022! However, the virtual options are still available, for participants who prefer to show their support from home (or anywhere else around the world, for that matter). Walter Gefrom encourages Canadians to support this endeavor and as always, spread awareness of MS and what it is like to live with this disease. MS Warriors unite!

New Medication for Treating EBV Shows Promise

April 27, 2022 by Walter Gefrom Leave a Comment

Recently, Walter Gefrom discussed the announcement from scientists and researchers that the Epstein-Barr Virus could be to blame for triggering or even causing Multiple Sclerosis. With this in mind, doctors are now setting their focus on ways to treat EBV directly; one such treatment is already showing great promise for patients.

Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc. is entering Phase 2 of a clinical trial of an experimental new T-cell immunotherapy treatment, ATA118. This new medication specifically targets Epstein-Barr Virus in people with MS. Among the 24 volunteers involved in the clinical trial, 20 have already shown signs of improvement with their MS symptoms and/or major indication of a halt in disease progression after a year of treatment with ATA118.

This is incredibly exciting news for the MS warrior community! A longtime advocate for the advancement of research and treatment accessibility for individuals living with MS, Walter Gefrom is ecstatic to learn of this glimmering beacon of light in the community. Here’s to more positive news in the development of how the treatment of EBV could impact how so many people experience multiple sclerosis.

Chris Wright is the first NBA player with MS

March 30, 2022 by Walter Gefrom Leave a Comment

A diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) never comes easily for anyone. But for NBA player Chris Wright, the symptoms of his first MS episode sought out to take his livelihood away — but he’s fighting back. MS Awareness Advocate, Walter Gefrom shares the story:

To say there isn’t an ‘MS stereotype’ would be untrue. Having supported numerous efforts that shine the spotlight on multiple sclerosis, Walter Gefrom knows this all too well. Most people assume, or rather expect, a person with a recent MS diagnosis to be a middle-aged woman. No one expects this individual to be a young person and even more rarely do they expect the diagnosed person to be a man. But the reality is, it happens — all the time. Even though it is not as often discussed, men are diagnosed with MS. And unfortunately, the prospects tend to be a lot worse for men. That’s why when NBA player Chris Wright found himself diagnosed with MS, he was encouraged to embark on an aggressive form of treatment: Tysabri.

Walter Gefrom encourages you to check out Chris Wright’s full diagnosis story on ESPN. It’s truly inspiring and worth the read — especially in the matter of raising awareness of the fact that men can have MS, too.

US Military Research Suggests EBV Causes MS

January 18, 2022 by Walter Gefrom Leave a Comment

A study from the United States military has confirmed a long postulated theory that the Epstein-Barr Virus triggers the development of Multiple Sclerosis. MS awareness advocate, Walter Gefrom discusses:

For people living with multiple sclerosis and the healthcare professionals who treat them, the idea that MS may be linked to EBV is nothing new. But it was not until a new study published by Harvard University that the long-standing hypothesis was proven true. The proposed information cites the fact that out of 801 MS patients, only 1 did not show symptoms of MS prior to EBV infection.

Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) is better known as ‘the kissing disease.’ In Walter Gefrom’s personal research, he has played close attention to the link between EBV and mononucleosis. Now, there is something to be said about EBV, as well as mono, and the connection to MS. As researchers work towards creating a vaccine to protect against EBV infection, Gefrom has hope that the amount of individuals diagnosed with MS has the potential to decline in the future.

Music is good for MS: but not in the way you think

January 4, 2022 by Walter Gefrom Leave a Comment

According to a study out of Duke University, lifelong musicianship could potentially ward off the onset of neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s or dementia for years. Walter Gefrom shares his thoughts on the study:

Last year, Duke University conducted a study involving musicians ranging in age from 20 to 67. Five of the participants were female; the rest were male. All of these individuals played piano or violin, beginning between the ages of 3 to 12, and continuing on to the present day. Musicians by practice and identity, these study participants are not casual hobbyists. Instead, they reportedly practice at least three to nine hours per day.

The study determined that these individuals were less likely than non-musicians to have substantial white matter brain damage. The white matter, known as myelin sheath, is what the immune system wages war on. In effect, causing MS disease progression, symptoms and all that comes with that.

It’s no secret that ‘keeping the brain active’ is vitally important for anyone. That’s especially true for individuals with MS or dementia. ‘Use it or lose it’ takes on a whole new meaning when it comes to these conditions. It’s also a huge part of why most doctors will recommend that MS patients take up a new hobby or place importance on learning new things. Keeping the brain active can make a world of difference physically and mentally. So Walter Gefrom is inclined to believe this element to Duke’s study. However, what concerns him about this study is that only five of the participants in the study were female. It is common knowledge that women are much more likely to develop MS than men. To date, women are two to three times more likely to develop MS than men.. And that number could rise. So considering this information, Gefrom believes more women should have been included in the study in order to garner a more accurate picture of what’s at play.