1 7582, ext. 7259 the west …...able to help their loved ones. this is great news.” james ho,...
TRANSCRIPT
MS Bike Tour 2
MS Walk 3
Removing financial
barriers for persons with
disabilities on assistance
4 –5
Meet the Researchers 6
Foot Care Program 6
Wall of Fame Volunteer
Recognition
7
Clumsy Cook—Recipes for
a busy lifestyle
8
Volunteers Wanted 9
vitamin D may promote
myelin repair
10-11
Local Support Groups 12
Trail Yoga group 13
MS Society-funded
research news
14-15
www.ms s oc i e ty . ca 1 -8 0 0 -2 6 8 -7582, ex t . 7259
The West Kootenay Contact
Jan/Feb 2016
Inside this issue:
Wishing all of our members, their
friends, families and the caregivers
who help them live their best
quality of life, all the very best for
a happy and healthy 2016!
Page 2 Page 2
Did your New Year’s Resolution
include signing up for the
2016 West Kootenay Glacier Challenge?
The West Kootenay Glacier Challenge is an extraordinary
two day MS Bike tour that loops around the Kokanee
Glacier, starting in New Denver and heading through
Slocan, on to Kaslo, and back to New Denver with an
overnight in Nelson. Join us for a fabulous weekend with
friendly people, incredible volunteers, and great food.
Show your support for people living with multiple
sclerosis by taking on this amazing challenge and cycling
222 kilometers over two days. We’ll provide the rest
stops, food, and entertainment, and you can enjoy the epic scenery along
the way. Don’t think you can ride the full distance? Check out the FAQ’s
on our website for information on the Relay Option!
All the money raised by this event goes to the MS
Society of Canada, West Kootenay Chapter to
fund local programs & services for people affected
by MS; as well as to support vital research for
improved treatments and to find a cure.
Will you Gear Up? Register today and together we will end MS!
Interested in:
Volunteering
Donating
Sponsorship opportunities
Contact Leona at
2016 West Kootenay Glacier Challenge
Scotiabank MS Bike
August 20th and 21st
222 Km / 2 days - check out our relay option
Fully supported with meals included.
Minimum $350 in fundraising, donation or
sponsorship to participate
Lace up for the MS Walk and show families in your
community that they do not have to face MS alone.
Register NOW to WALK in Trail or Nelson— May 15
Please support the businesses and organizations that support the MS Society!
New in 2015, the MS Walk now offers participants a ‘fundraising on the go’ experience with a mobile app – powered by generous partner Protegra. Available for download on both iOS and Android devices through iTunes and Google Play, the app provides participants with easy, one-touch access to their fundraising progress, instant messaging with their teammates, the abil-ity to ask for donations through connections to their social media pages and email, and all the latest news about their event.
mswalks.ca
Removing financial barriers for persons with disabilities on assistance
British Columbians receiving disability assistance will be able to hold
significantly more assets and receive financial gifts and inheritances with
no impact on their monthly assistance thanks to changes being made by
the provincial government.
Beginning Dec. 1, 2015, the amount of assets that people receiving
disability assistance may hold without losing eligibility for assistance will
rise to $100,000 for an individual with the Persons with Disabilities (PWD)
designation, and $200,000 for a couple where both have PWD
designation. Currently, the asset limits are $5,000 and $10,000 respectively.
And for the first time in B.C., persons with disabilities will be able to receive cash gifts with no effect on
their eligibility for assistance. Under current policy, people receiving income and disability assistance can
only receive one-time gifts without affecting their eligibility.
In the case of an inheritance, the higher asset limits will free up many clients from having to set aside that
money in a trust.
Government is also changing the way trust payments are handled, giving people receiving disability
assistance greater flexibility in how they use that money to lead more independent lives. The $8,000 annual
cap on trust payments is being eliminated.
These changes will allow people receiving disability assistance to enhance their financial security, while also
giving their families, friends or community groups the opportunity to provide additional support.
The new policies build on changes government has already made to help people with disabilities lead fuller
and more secure lives, including an increase in earnings exemptions, annual earnings exemptions, and the
Accessibility 2024 plan to make British Columbia the most progressive place in Canada for people with
disabilities. Quotes:
Michelle Stilwell, Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation –
“I know that persons with disabilities can face real challenges in finding employment, earning
money to support their independence, and saving money for the future. We have heard from
families they want more opportunities to financially support their loved ones and ensure a secure
future for them. That’s why our government has made it easier to work, earn money, gain
independence and now, to build long-term savings.”
Jane Dyson, executive director, Disability Alliance BC –
“Disability Alliance BC is delighted by today’s announcement. It’s an enormous step forward
and we congratulate the Province for making this positive change. It means British Columbians
with disabilities will have more independence, choice and dignity. And families will be better
able to help their loved ones. This is great news.”
James Ho, founder/CEO, Mainstream Broadcasting Co.; member of Minister's Council on
Employment and Accessibility –
“This is a quantum leap forward for people with disabilities and their families. This visionary
policy will further inspire and encourage people with disabilities toward increased personal
independence.”
Al Etmanski, president, Planned Advocacy Lifetime Network (PLAN) –
“For the first time ever, a government is acknowledging that people with disabilities are
economic citizens. This spells a profound shift from welfare to well-being. This opens the door
for people with disabilities to become masters of their own destiny – something they’ve
desired for a long time. For their parents and those who love them, it also spells peace of
mind.”
Kathy Bromley, parent, Advocate for People
with Disabilities, writer-
“As a parent of a daughter with disabilities, this
is an exciting day. Our dream is for our child,
Shannon, to achieve independence and have a
great future to look forward to. This is a big
step in that direction.”
Show your support with a Banner Ad in
The West Kootenay Contact The newsletter of the West Kootenay Chapter of the MS Society of Canada
$50/issue or $200/year (6 issues)
Contact Lonnie at 1-800-268-7582, ext. 7259 or email
Show your support
with a Card Ad
$25 per issue
or $100/year (6 issues)
Page 6
Foot Care for West Kootenay Chapter Members
Are you interested in subsidised foot care? Is it difficult for you to trim
your toenails and remove callouses? Our Chapter, with financial help from
Kokanee Chapter IODE, can pay for $20 (about half) of each visit from a
certified foot care nurse, who would come to your home every six to
eight weeks to help keep your feet healthy.
Contact Lonnie at 1-800-268-7582, ext. 7259 if you have MS and have
difficulties caring for your feet.
Please note that soon a financial need declaration will be
required. There will be more information about the terms in our
next newsletter.
Curtis Benson
University of Alberta
Doctoral Studentship recipient
Area of Research: Symptom management/quality of
life
Project Title: The effects of phenelzine and its
derivative on motor and non-motor symptoms in
experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE)
Meet the Researchers
To learn more, visit:
https://mssociety.ca/about-our-research-program/meet-the-researchers
Page 7
Wendi Thomson:
Wendi is our Chapter Chair, a dedicated volunteer and
fundraiser for the MS Society, a full –time department
manager at a local building supply store, a member of
Rotary and a wonderful mother and wife. Whew… this
busy lady manages to live a very full and fulfilling life and
we can’t tell you how much we appreciate her. Thank you
Wendi, for all you do for our Chapter! You are awesome!
Page 8
THE CLUMSY COOK Shannon Jones
Well, all the holiday goodies are gone, decorations all put away and normal life resumes! Whether you work all week, take care of the kids, go to school or whatever you may do, always find time to get the family together to cook a nice meal or a batch of cookies and create some great food and great memo-ries, holidays or not. Enjoy :)
HAWAIIAN CHICKEN or PORK
An easy sweet and sour that will become a family favourite! Chicken or pork, pineapple or peaches!
6 to 8 chicken pieces (I like using thighs) OR 1 pork tenderloin, cut into slices
¼ cup flour (I like using oat flour)
salt, pepper and garlic powder to taste
oil of choice to cook in (I prefer coconut oil)
¾ cup brown sugar, lightly packed
½ cup ketchup
¼ cup vinegar
1 can (about 398 ml or so) pineapple (crushed or bits) OR peaches, chopped into chunks - in-clude juice
¾ cup water
Season flour to taste then toss meat pieces to coat. Heat a generous amount of oil on medium-high heat and brown pieces. Mix together last 5 ingredients and pour over browned meat. Turn heat down to me-dium, cover and simmer (30 minutes for chicken pieces, 15 minutes if using pork slices). Stir a couple times near the end of cooking time. Great served over rice.
STRAWBERRY MERINGUES
After a season full of rich calorie laden desserts, these light sweets are such a wonderful treat!
3 egg whites
½ tsp vanilla
½ tsp arrowroot powder
2 tbsp + 1 tsp raw honey
1 cup sliced strawberries
Preheat oven to 200degreesF (yes the heat is really that low). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a saucepan, heat strawberries and 1 tbsp honey on medium heat. As the strawberries heat up and soften, “smoosh” the strawberries against the side of the pan. Transfer the ingredients to a blender or food processor and process. Place in fridge to cool.
Whisk egg whites, vanilla and arrowroot until medi-um-firm peaks are formed. SLOWLY add the re-maining honey while continuing to blend (raw honey will be “solid”, break it up in small mounds -it will mix in) until stiff peaks form. Add cooled strawberry mix. Whisk back up to stiff peaks.
Place mixture in a piping tube/bag with a wide tip or spoon into a plastic gallon bag and cut off a corner tip. Pipe mixture into mounds on parchment paper.
Bake for 2 ½ hours. Turn off heat and let rest in ov-en for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and peel parchment paper off backs of meringues. Store in an airtight container after meringues have COM-PLETELY cooled, otherwise the meringues will sweat and “melt”.
Try other berries for different flavours. Enjoy!
A special thanks to Shannon, who
manages to put together this article
within days of our asking, always with
delicious recipes, and always perfectly
presented. We appreciate your
dedication to our newsletter, Shannon!
Page 9
Volunteers always welcomed!
With busy lives, it can be hard to find time to volunteer.
However, the benefits of volunteering are enormous to
you, your family, and your community. The right match
can help you find friends, reach out to the community,
learn new skills, and even advance your career.
Volunteering can also help protect your mental and
physical health.
Do you have special skills that would benefit our Chapter?
A great phone voice, organizational skills, financial, legal
or medical background? Able to do physical work? Own a
truck that would help us during our fundraising events/
Contact our office and let us know! Call 1-800-268-7582,
extension 7259 and talk to Lonnie. We would sure
appreciate the help!
Latest MS Research News
Early stage study shows that
vitamin D can promote myelin repair
December 18, 2015
Background
Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that
provides many health benefits, and a
great deal of evidence has recognized
vitamin D as a protective factor against
the development of multiple sclerosis. In
addition to its protective effects, vitamin D
has recently been put in the spotlight to
uncover if it can help drive remyelination –
the process by which specialized cells
repair the damage to the myelin that
ensheathes nerve fibres in the central
nervous system – in people living with MS.
Although the body has the innate ability to
remyelinate nerve fibres and repair this
damage, this ability declines over time as
the MS disease process continually attacks
myelin, spurring one avenue of research
to seek new ways to enhance the body’s
remyelination ability.
Oligodendrocytes are the specialized cells
that create the myelin sheath; these cells,
in turn, are formed from precursor cells
called oligodendrocyte progenitor cells
(OPC). Previous research has identified a
special protein called retinoid X receptor-γ
(RXR-γ) that, when activated, helps OPCs
rapidly mature into myelin-forming
oligodendrocytes. A group of researchers
based at the University of Cambridge (UK)
noted that RXR-γ only works when it
interacts with another protein. This group,
together with an international team of
collaborators, went on to demonstrate that
this unknown protein is
the receptor that binds vitamin D. Their
findings were published in The Journal of
Cell Biology.
The Study
The authors conducted a series of elegant
experiments using cellular and molecular
techniques to test whether:
vitamin D receptors are commonly found
in brain lesions in people living with MS,
compared to normal brain tissue from
healthy individuals;
vitamin D receptors interact with RXR-γ in
OPCs and oligodendrocytes grown in cell
culture;
vitamin D receptors are present during
remyelination by examining brain tissues
from rats in which demyelination was
experimentally triggered;
blocking vitamin D receptors on OPCs
would affect the maturation of OPCs into
Page 10
myelin-forming oligodendrocytes and,
consequently, lead to impaired
remyelination;
activating vitamin D receptors by adding
vitamin D could improve the maturation
of OPCs and enhance remyelination.
Results
The authors found that vitamin D
receptors are significantly more
widespread in MS lesions – particularly
new, active lesions – compared to healthy
brain tissue in humans.
By looking at cells grown in culture, they
found that the vitamin D receptor
interacts with the remyelination-
promoting RXR-γ protein in myelin-
forming cells, and that this receptor is
active during the stages of remyelination
in rats that have an MS-like disease.
When the authors blocked vitamin D
receptors from binding vitamin D and
functioning correctly, this prevented OPCs
from maturing properly into myelin-
forming oligodendrocytes. As expected,
this led to impaired remyelination in rats
with the MS-like disease. At the other end
of the spectrum, activating these
receptors with vitamin D led to improved
remyelination.
Comment
These findings support a study from
earlier this year that demonstrated that
vitamin D can stimulate neural stem cells
into becoming both myelin-producing
oligodendrocytes and new nerve cells.
This study went several steps further by
showing that stimulating these cells with
vitamin D can repair myelin in animals
with an MS-like disease, and went on to
dissect out the precise mechanisms by
which vitamin D carries out its
remyelinating actions.
While this study is still an early
investigation into the remyelination
capabilities of vitamin D, it adds to a
growing body of scientific evidence
showing that vitamin D might have
potential therapeutic benefits beyond
influencing the risk of developing MS. As
the authors state, “further investigation
into the molecular mechanisms of
[vitamin D receptors] in remyelination will
open up new opportunities for the
development of regenerative medicines
for demyelinating diseases.” Specifically,
these findings will help to inform the
design and interpretation of clinical trials
studying the safety and effectiveness of
vitamin D supplementation for treating
the symptoms and/or disease course of
MS, since smaller scale trials to date have
led to mixed results (see our Vitamin D
page for more details).
Source
de la Fuente AG et al. Vitamin D receptor-
retinoid X receptor heterodimer signaling
regulates oligodendrocyte progenitor cell
differentiation. J Cell Biol. 2015; 211
(5):975-85.
Page 11
……are informal get-togethers of two or more
people who can share helpful tips, information,
resources, and experiences.
Phone a contact person for further infor-
mation.
Valley Support Group - meets the last Thursday
of each month from 2 till 3:30 pm at the Slocan
Lake Community Health Center Education Room
at 401 Galena Avenue in New Denver. Contact
Linda at 250-358-2220 or 250-358-2203.
We are always looking for volunteers
willing to start groups… if you’re
interested, please call Lonnie at
1-866-352-3997 for details.
Lonnie is available from 1—4 pm every
Monday if you’d like to meet in Nelson.
We’re in the Community First Resource
Center at #104—518 Lake Street, Nelson.
Self-Help Groups are formed
by volunteers who are
interested in bringing together
individuals and families whose
lives are affected by MS.
These groups operate
independently, supported by
the MS Society of Canada with
information and resources.
The West Kootenay Chapter
recognizes the importance of
support in one’s own
community, and of providing a
means for individuals and
families to reach out and
connect with each other. The
following is a list of
communities in which there
are volunteers who provide
support to individuals with MS
and their families. Each
community is unique in the
kind of support that is
available. For further
information on a particular
group, please get in touch
with the contact person as
listed.
SELF-HELP/SUPPORT GROUPS
……are informal get-togethers of two or
more people who can share helpful tips,
information, resources, and experiences.
Phone a contact person for further
information.
Valley Support Group - meets the last Thursday
of each month from 2 till 3:30 pm at the Slocan
Lake Community Health Center Education Room
at 401 Galena Avenue in New Denver. Contact
Linda at 250-358-2220 or 250-358-2203.
Yoga for MS in Castlegar—Offers regular,
specialized yoga classes for people with MS and
their care-partners. Call Janice for more
information at 250-365-5428
Trail MS Support Group - meets the fir st
Wednesday each month at 10 am at Rose Wood
Village in the Games Room in Trail. For more
information, call Jenny at 250-364-1767 or Inge at
250-368-9493.
Nelson Suppor t Group—Lonnie is available at
518 Lake Street in Nelson, most Mondays from 1
till 4 pm if anyone wants to drop in. Please call the
1-800 below to confirm that she will be there.
We are always looking for volunteers willing to
start groups… if you’re interested, please call
Lonnie at 1-800-268-7582, ext. 7259 for details.
Self-Help Groups are formed
by volunteers who are
interested in bringing together
individuals and families whose
lives are affected by MS.
These groups operate
independently, supported by
the MS Society of Canada with
information and resources.
The West Kootenay Chapter
recognizes the importance of
support in one’s own
community, and of providing a
means for individuals and
families to reach out and
connect with each other. The
following is a list of
communities in which there
are volunteers who provide
support to individuals with MS
and their families. Each
community is unique in the
kind of support that is
available. For further
information on a particular
group, please get in touch
with the contact person as
listed.
SELF-HELP/SUPPORT GROUPS
Page 13
1-250-584-9519
Thanks to Brandon and BJR Freight in Grand Forks for helping
us out in delivering a power wheelchair to the coast. If you
need any hauling done, give them a call!
Rose Wood Village Yoga program participants take
a breather for a photo op last November…
MS Society-funded study explores promising neuroprotective protein in mice with MS-like disease
Background
Cytotoxic T cells are a special kind of white blood cell that act as important warriors in the immune system ’s host defense response against infection: they recognize and destroy target cells (such as those infected with a pathogenic virus) by programming them to die. In multiple sclerosis, these cytotoxic T cells cross over into the central nervous system (CNS) in uncontrolled numbers and start to target the body’s own nerve cells, causing the breakdown of nerve fibres (axons) and nerve cells (neurons).
One of the principal weapons used by cytotoxic T cells to destroy other target cells is an enzyme called granzyme B. A great deal of evidence has linked granzyme B to the neurodegeneration seen in MS; granzyme B is found in high concentrations in MS lesions, and decreasing levels of granzyme B inside T cells can lead to reduced destruction of neurons in mice with an MS-like disease. In a recent study funded by the MS Society, researchers at the University of Alberta, including Drs. Chris Bleackley (who discovered granzyme B), Bradley Kerr, Fabrizio Guiliani and colleagues tested the effects of a granzyme B inhibitor called serpina3n on neurodegeneration and disease severity in animals with an MS-like disease. The study was published in the Journal of Inflammation.
The Study
The authors performed several different
experiments to study the effects of
serpina3n on neurodegeneration triggered
by granzyme B. Firstly, they incubated
activated T cells with serpina3n for an hour
to allow them to interact, after which they
mixed neuronal cells in cell culture with
either the serpina3n-treated T cells or a
dummy solution. They then measured two
outcomes: how many neuronal cells
survived, and; whether certain structural
proteins in the neurons were damaged.
Secondly, they investigated the effects of
serpina3n in mice with an MS- like disease.
Mice were split into groups: one group was
injected with serpina3n 7 days after the
disease was triggered, while the other
group was treated both 7 and 20 days after
disease induction. A group of control mice
received a dummy solution instead of
serpina3n. Clinical signs of disability were
assessed for up to 36 days.
Thirdly, the same mice were then evaluated after 36 days to measure the number of injured axons in the spinal cord, the amount of myelin damage, and the infiltration of immune cells into the CNS.
Results
The study authors found that when
activated T cells were treated with
serpina3n and then mixed with cultured
neurons, the number of surviving neurons
was twice as high compared to culture
dishes where T cells were not exposed to
Page 14
serpina3n. As well,
important structural
proteins in neurons were not damaged
when T cells were treated with serpina3n.
Mice with an MS-like disease who were
administered serpina3n experienced
significantly fewer symptoms of disability
compared to mice given a dummy solution,
and this improvement persisted for up to 20
days. Mice who were treated with serpina3n
again 20 days later began to once again
experience reduced disease severity.
Serpina3n also reduced the number of damaged axons in the spinal cord by about 50% and appeared to curb levels ofdemyelination, although it did not appear to affect the infiltration of T cells into the CNS.
Comment
One of the major challenges facing
researchers is the development of disease-
modifying therapies for MS that prevent
immune cells from attacking the body’s own
nervous tissues while at the same time
refraining from suppressing the immune
system’s ability to detect and fight infection.
The inhibition of granzyme B using serpina3n
has the potential to be a promising alternative,
since it blocks the ability of inflammatory T
cells to kill neurons, but at the same time does
not prevent the entry of some T cells into the
CNS or negatively impact immunosurveillance
– the immune system’s ability to detect
infection.
In addition to its ability to protect axons from
destruction and reduce disease severity,
blocking granzyme B had the added benefit of
reducing demyelination: this two-pronged
approach makes a granzyme B inhibitor like
serpina3n a promising therapeutic candidate
for targeting several of the disease-causing
mechanisms of MS in a single hit. Progressive
MS in particular could potentially benefit from
these findings, since axonal injury is one of the
leading culprits underlying the accumulation of
disability seen in this form of the disease.
Further translational work will be needed to
ensure that these neuroprotective strategies
can be adapted into a safe and effective
medication for people living with MS.
Source
Haile Y et al. Granzyme B-inhibitor serpina3n induces
neuroprotection in vitro and in vivo. J
Neuroinflammation. 2015; 12: 157.
Page 15
Printed and Distributed by
622 Front Street, Nelson, BC V1l 4B7 Tel: 250-354-1299
PO Box 202
Balfour BC V0G 1C0
1-800-268-7582 ext. 7259
Our Mission: To be a leader in finding a cure for
multiple sclerosis and enabling people affected by MS to enhance their
quality of life.
The West Kootenay
Chapter gratefully
acknowledges the
financial assistance of
the Province of BC in
producing our
newsletter.
WEST KOOTENAY CHAPTER, MS SOCIETY OF CANADA