Making money: December 2007

Multiple Sclerosis Foundation Internet Newsletter

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MSFYi DECEMBER 2007

"We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words
on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter
is New Year's Day." ~ Edith Lovejoy Pierce

In This Issue:
* NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS YOU CAN KEEP!
* NEW WARNINGS FOR PROVIGIL CLARIFIED
* NEW WEBSITE EMPOWERS WOMEN
* ANTIBIOTIC IN ADDITION TO INTERFERON MAY SLOW MS
* FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR NEW ENGLANDERS WITH MS
* GROWING EVIDENCE LINKS EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS TO MS
* SOMETIMES YOU FEEL LIKE A NUT
* ACCESSIBLE HOMES FOR SALE, RENT, VACATION
* HEPATITIS B VACCINATION NOT TIED TO MS IN CHILDREN
* MS ID CARDS AVAILABLE
* ONLINE GUIDE TO DISCLOSING DISABILITY
* MUSIC WITHIN

MSF News
* BAYER FOUNDATION AWARDS GRANT TO MSF
* GOT A VENDETTA AGAINST MS?
* LEARN TO LIVE WELL WITH MSF TV
* CALLING ALL MS NURSES!
* JOIN US FOR THE 2008 CRUISE FOR A CAUSE

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS YOU CAN KEEP!
As 2008 approaches, are you considering New Year's resolutions? This
year, why not make resolutions you can keep? Here are a few suggestions
that may seem small - but over time, they can make a big difference.

- Eat two fruits a day. Fruits provide us with vitamins, minerals and
antioxidants. Cranberries, blueberries, and strawberries, for example,
help ward off chronic diseases, reduce inflammation, and promote heart
and urinary health. So this year, instead of snacking on cookies and
potato chips, start substituting some of those empty calories with an
apple or a handful of blueberries. Small changes can add up to big
results.

- Smile at least ten times a day. Smiling throughout the day is good
for you - mentally and physically. The mere act of smiling can actually
help you feel more positive. Studies have shown that smiling, even if
you have to fake it, reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, and releases
serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood, sleep, anger
and sexuality. Smiling also releases endorphins, the body's natural pain
killers. Smiling is also contagious!

- Take a multivitamin. Multivitamins can provide the essential
nutrients your body needs on a daily basis and prevent vitamin deficiencies. In
particular, Vitamin D in combination with calcium is important for
preventing osteoporosis, which is common among the MS population.

These small changes can make a positive difference in your health and
well-being. If you slip up one day, don't worry about it. Every morning
offers a new beginning. These are New Year's resolutions you can keep!

NEW WARNINGS FOR PROVIGIL CLARIFIED
Provigil (modafinil), a first-line medication used for fatigue
associated with MS, has new FDA warnings regarding rare cases of serious or
life-threatening rashes, angioedema (rapid swelling beneath the skin,
similar to hives), multi-organ hypersensitivity reactions, and psychiatric
side effects such as anxiety, mania, hallucinations and suicidal
ideation.

According to Cephalon Inc., the manufacturer of the drug, at least one
person died of multi-organ failure shortly after starting Provigil, and
there have been rare cases of a serious or life-threatening rash in
patients taking Provigil.

The FDA and Cephalon advise patients to immediately stop Provigil and
call their doctor if they have rash or other hypersensitivity reactions
including:

* Swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, or larynx
* Difficulty swallowing or breathing
* Hoarseness

Harmless rashes can also occur in patients taking Provigil. Because
it's difficult to predict which rashes will prove to be serious, patients
are advised to call their doctor at the first sign of a rash or other
reaction.

Doctors should be cautious about giving Provigil to patients with a
history of psychosis, depression, or mania, according to Cephalon, and
consider stopping Provigil in patients who develop psychiatric symptoms.

"MS Centers and neurologists in general have used quite a bit of
Provigil for fatigue in MS," adds MSF Medical Advisor Ben Thrower, M.D.
"While the new warnings are important, they need to be put in the context of
the millions of doses of this drug that have been given. If I were on
Provigil and doing well, I would not stop it based upon this report."

NEW WEBSITE EMPOWERS WOMEN
With all of life's demands, being a woman with a speech impairment or
physical disability can be a challenge. For Disabled Women is a new
website developed by a mother and daughter team that focuses on the issues
and interests that matter most to women living with physical
limitation. Inspired by Meecha Bregante Corbett, who has cerebral palsy and her
mom, Joan O'Toole Corbett, this website is designed to supply women with
the role models and resources they need to tackle the complex issues
of living with speech impairment and mobility issues, and to network
with others facing similar challenges.

The site offers information on assistive technology, education, how-to,
leadership, sexuality, employment, legal issues, health, parenting,
and more. While each page contains resources, links and personal stories
of women facing life with a disability, viewers also have access to a
blog and listserv. Additionally, For Disabled Women is easy to navigate
and unique because each page is created by a different woman who
experiences physical and / or speech impairments leading to disability.

For Disabled Women is a project of Women Pushing Forward and Policy
Research on Women and Disability. You can visit For Disabled Women at
http://www.4dwm.org.

ANTIBIOTIC IN ADDITION TO INTERFERON MAY SLOW MS
A new study suggests that taking an antibiotic in combination with
interferon beta 1-a, a current disease-modifying medication for MS, could
slow progression of the disease.

Published in the online issue of the Archives of Neurology, the study
was conducted by Dr Alireza Minagar and colleagues from the Louisiana
State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport.

Interferon beta 1-a (Avonex) is injected into the muscle and is usually
taken once a week. Although it is not a cure for MS, it often reduces
the number of relapses and slows the progression of the disease.

The study was a single-center trial with 15 participants (average age
44.5 years) who had relapsing-remitting MS. Although taking Avonex for
at least six months, all were having symptoms and showing new brain
lesions on MRI.

Every day for four months, participants took a 100 mg dose of the
antibiotic doxycycline in addition to the interferon. Doxycycline is in a
class of medications called tetracycline antibiotics that work by
preventing the growth and spread of bacteria.

Once a month, study participants underwent a neurological exam, MRI,
and blood tests.

Combination of doxycycline and Avonex resulted in reductions in
contrast-enhancing lesion numbers and post-treatment Expanded Disability
Status Scale (EDSS) scores (P < .001 for both). For research findings to be
significant, the p value should be less than 0.05. The smaller the
number the more likely it is that the finding is significant.

One patient relapsed. Adverse events were described as "mild" and not a
result of the combination therapy. There is growing interest in
combination therapy in MS to stabilize the disease course, reduce the rate of
relapses and slow the progression of the disease.

Overall, this study indicates that a combination of oral doxycycline
and interferon beta 1-a may be safe and effective in some patients with
MS.
However, further controlled studies are needed to ensure both safety
and efficacy.

"The number of enhancing lesions went down after the doxycycline was
added, which could indicate a treatment effect and certainly merits
further study," comments MSF Medical Advisor Ben Thrower, M.D. "However, we
don't know for sure that the decrease in enhancement is due to the
addition of doxycycline because the number of enhancing lesions in MS does
tend to decrease naturally as an individual transitions from
relapsing-remitting MS to a secondary-progressive phase."

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR NEW ENGLANDERS WITH MS
In 2002, the Kelly Packowski MS Foundation was established to provide
financial assistance and educational resources to families and
individuals struggling with MS in New England. The Foundation strives to support
those facing hardship situations as a result of the disease and to
improve overall quality of life of families most affected by it.

If you live in New England and are affected by MS, the Kelly Packowski
MS Foundation is available to provide financial assistance. Call
866-KPMSFND (576-7363) or visit http://www.kpmsfoundation.com. The grant
process and applications are also available online at
http://wwwkpmsfoundation.com/grant_application.htm.

GROWING EVIDENCE LINKS EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS TO MS
Investigators reported finding traces of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in
postmortem brains of people with different forms of MS. They found the
traces of EBV infection in immune cells that had infiltrated 21 out of 22
brains of people with MS, but not in brains of people who had other
neurological diseases that, like MS, involve inflammation.

If these findings are confirmed by other laboratories, they add to
growing evidence of a link between EBV and MS. However, it is not yet known
whether EBV causes MS, or whether its presence is a consequence of the
disease.

The study, by Dr. Francesca Aloisi and colleagues from Italy and the
United Kingdom, was published online on November 5, 2007 in the Journal
of Experimental Medicine.

EBV, a member of the herpesvirus family, is one of the most common
human viruses and the virus that most often causes mononucleosis. EBV
occurs worldwide, and most people become infected with EBV sometime during
their lives. Researchers have long suspected that external factors may
influence the risk for MS. Some studies have suggested that EBV, which
according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention affects up
to 95 percent of adults by the time they reach age 35 to 40, may play a
role.

Understanding the mechanisms that link Epstein-Barr virus infection to
MS could eventually result in new ways to treat and prevent the
diseases.

After an initial infection, EBV becomes dormant, and can be
reactivated. EBV infects B cells, the cells of the immune system that make
antibodies. There is currently no vaccine that can protect against an initial
infection by EBV, and no anti-viral medication that can fight the
active infection or kill dormant virus harbored in the body. This virus does
not infect other species, so research on EBV can only be carried out
in humans.

Dr. Aloisi and colleagues conducted a series of studies using several
techniques to detect the presence of EBV and EBV gene products in
postmortem brains of people who had had MS in their lifetimes. EBV does not
normally infect brain cells. In one series of experiments, in 19 out of
20 brains from people with different forms of MS, researchers found
signs of abnormal accumulation of EBV-infected B cells and plasma cells,
both in follicles (sack-like structures) in the membrane that surrounds
the outer layer of the brain and also in MS lesions. They found
evidence of both latent EBV and reactivated EBV. They did not find evidence of
EBV in nerve cells or myelin-making cells.

The team also found evidence of ongoing immune attack directed toward
EBV-infected cells at major sites of accumulation, with higher numbers
of T cells in brains that showed higher amounts of infiltration of
EBV-infected cells.

To test for the presence of EBV early in the course of MS,
investigators examined brain specimens from an additional two people with very
severe cases of MS, and found evidence pointing to reactivated EBV.

Researchers found traces of EBV infection in B cells and plasma cells
that had infiltrated the brain in 21 out of 22 people with MS. The team
did not find evidence of EBV in brain specimens from seven people with
other types of inflammatory neurological diseases. While these
specimens had B cells that infiltrated the brain tissue, those cells did not
show evidence of EBV.

Further research is needed to confirm these findings. If confirmed,
research aimed at understanding how EBV interacts with the immune system
in MS will be key.

"This data is intriguing but must be taken in context," explains Daniel
Silverman, M.D., Medical Director of the MS Care Center at the Center
for Disability Services in Albany, New York. "By adulthood, most of us
have been exposed to EBV and had either mono or another unrecognizable
illness. Therefore, it EBV plays a role in triggering MS, then why does
it do so in only a very small number of people? It is also possible
that these findings represent a secondary phenomenon of MS, a disease in
which there is dysfunction of the blood brain barrier, which may
provide access to EBV."

ACCESSIBLE HOMES FOR SALE, RENT, VACATION
Looking to sell, buy or rent an accessible home or vacation property?
Visit the worldwide directory of Wheelchair Accessible Homes at
http://www.accessibleproperties.net.

In order to meet accessibility requirements, a wheelchair user must be
able to access all areas of the property including the toileting and
bathing facilities and any cooking or other preparatory areas. You can
sign up to receive new listing updates via email.

SOMETIMES YOU FEEL LIKE A NUT
Next time you're craving something different, consider the walnut. One
of the oldest known tree foods, walnuts were especially popular during
medieval times, when the health benefits of certain foods where
believed to be associated with the parts of the body they resembled. Walnuts,
which resemble the human brain, were believed to alleviate head
conditions and increase intelligence.

Today, information is emerging that shows that walnuts may have many
health benefits. Walnuts contain alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and
polyphenols, an essential omega-fatty acid. The antioxidants found in walnuts
help to neutralize free radicals, the molecules that can harm brain
cells. Studies have shown that the omega- 3 acids that are found in walnuts
may provide cardiovascular protection, help fight depression, improve
cognition, and offer anti-inflammatory benefits. In addition, walnuts
are a high-energy food, rich in protein, minerals, and dietary fiber.

You only need about a one ounce serving daily - about 10-14 walnut
halves or ¼ cup chopped. Try mixing walnuts into plain yogurt or adding
them to your next batch of muffins. Toss them into a garden salad or mix
them into tuna or chicken salad for a healthy crunch - because
sometimes you feel like a nut!

HEPATITIS B VACCINATION NOT TIED TO MS IN CHILDREN
According to a report in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent
Medicine for December, immunization with the recombinant hepatitis B
vaccine (HBV) does not increase the risk of childhood-onset MS.

Most prior studies have not shown a link between HBV and MS in
children. However, one study, with a slightly longer follow-up period than the
others, did suggest a significant association. This led to public
concerns about the safety of HBV and a drop in vaccination rates in many
countries.

The present study, which was conducted in France between January 1994
and December 2003, involved 143 patients who developed MS before the age
of 16 years and 1,122 matched controls without MS.

The HBV vaccination rates in the 3 years before the first episode of MS
were nearly the same in the case and control groups, roughly 32%.

There was no evidence that vaccination within 6 months of the first
episode of MS increased the risk of disease, and neither the number of HBV
injections nor the brand of vaccine used seemed to have any effect.

"This is good news," comments MSF Medical Advisor Ben Thrower, M.D.
"Prior to this study, the majority of evidence had indicated no
association between HBV vaccine and MS, but this should settle the matter. Due to
the confusion and concern about the risk of vaccines in kids, this
safety data is appreciated."

ONLINE GUIDE TO DISCLOSING DISABILITY
The Art of Disclosing Your Disability is a concise yet informative
guidebook from Richard Pimentel, a nationally renowned expert on Disability
Management, Job Recruitment, Job Retention, the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA), and Attitude Change. Written in an easy-to-read Q&A
format, this guide is available to download at
http://www.miltwright.com/articles/ArtOfDisclosingYourDisability.pdf.

MUSIC WITHIN
Richard Pimentel, the author of the booklet above, began a movement
that significantly contributed to the passing of the ADA. A full length
motion picture of his life story, Music Within, is now showing at
theaters across the country. To learn more about this amazing film, visit
http://www.musicwithinmovie.com.

MS ID CARDS AVAILABLE
The Rocky Mountain MS Center offers MS ID cards as a service to people
with MS. The card lists vital information on one side and common MS
symptoms on the back.

A verification of your MS diagnosis is required, along with a $10
processing fee. Have your physician sign a statement of your diagnosis on
letterhead or prescription pad. Physician's verification can be mailed to
the address below or faxed to 303-788-5418.

Rocky Mountain MS Center
701 E Hampden Avenue, Suite 420
Englewood CO 80113-2760

To obtain an MS ID card, visit the Rocky Mountain MS Center's website
at http://www.mscenter.org/content/view/41/1/.

MSF NEWS

BAYER FOUNDATION AWARDS GRANT TO MSF
The Bayer Foundation granted a charitable gift to the MSF to fund
programs that provide aid and support to those living with MS. The donation
will help fund the following MSF programs:

* Patient Assistance Program, which provides one-time assistance to
individuals with MS who are struggling financially and do not have access
to or qualify for community, state, and national support agencies.
* Assistive Technology (AT) Program, which educates individuals with MS
about available AT options that can help them function more
independently in daily activities (including computers, mobility devices and
vision aids), and assists in acquiring them.
* Home Care Grant Program serves as a liaison between people with MS
and local resources to meet their specific caregiving needs, such as
personal hygiene services, light housekeeping, grocery shopping and
transportation to and from appointments.
* Brighter Tomorrow Grants provide goods or services to improve quality
of life, such as eyeglasses, televisions, therapeutic equipment,
mobility devices, and various home modifications.
* Cooling Program offers body cooling items free of charge, including
vests, neckties, wristbands, and hats.

The Bayer Foundation is an endowed 501(c)(3) entity and the primary
source for Bayer HealthCare's philanthropic giving throughout the U.S.

GOT A VENDETTA AGAINST MS?
The month of March, which is National MS Education & Awareness Month,
is just around the corner. Gather your sidekicks and pull out your
capes! This year's interactive theme is MS Heroes!

Participate in our MS Superhero Awards. Prizes will be awarded in five
categories and the grand prize winner will receive passage for two
aboard our 2009 MSF Cruise for a Cause! (Airfare not included.)Winners will
also be featured in MSFocus. Applications will be available online
through our website in January. Additional applications can be obtained by
calling 1-888-MSFOCUS (673-6287).

Plan an educational or fundraising event - from an MS Super Hero
Fundraiser to a masked educational program! Call our Community Relations
Department at 1-800-225-6495.

MS Awareness Kits, packed with educational tools in keeping with this
year's theme, are available. Call 888-MSFOCUS (673-6287) or send an
e-mail request to awareness@msfocus.org to order your free kit today.

LEARN TO LIVE WELL WITH MSF TV
Last year, we launched our own cable TV program, "Living Well with MS."
Our goal was to educate viewers about MS and the programs and services
available through the MSF. We selected a diverse panel of guests to
provide useful information on relevant topics. Now, these programs are
available for viewing at your leisure on our website.

Guests include Jeff Segal, a personal trainer with MS who was recently
named NCA Personal Trainer of the Year. He offers helpful tips and the
motivation needed to begin an appropriate exercise program designed to
accommodate MS-related challenges such as heat sensitivity, fatigue,
vertigo, mobility limitations, spasticity, and more.

Valerie Peterson, of Peterson Law Office, P.A., provides guidance on
estate planning, Medicaid planning and qualification, Elder Law and Life
Care Planning.

Additional shows focus on yoga, physical, occupational and speech
therapy. New content will be added regularly.

So, next time you have a free moment, sit, relax, and log onto MSF TV
at http://msfocus.org/online_msftv.php.

CALLING ALL MS NURSES!
All MS nurses are invited to join us for a Voyage to a Better
Understanding of MS Care - a five-night Bermuda Cruise.

This educational program will be held aboard Royal Caribbean's Explorer
of the Seas. We'll set sail from Cape Liberty Cruise Port in New
Jersey on Sunday, May 4th and return on Friday, May 9th, 2008. Ports of call
include Cape Liberty Cruise Port (NY Harbor) and Kings Wharf, Bermuda.

This program will provide up to 12.95 contact hours through the Texas
Nurses Association, an accredited approver of continuing nursing
education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on
Accreditation.

Presented by MS nurses from across the country, the educational
curriculum will provide current information needed by nurses who care for
patients with MS, prepare nurses for the International Organization of MS
Nurses (IOMSN) certification board exam, and may also be applied to
recertification credits.

Space for this program is limited and passports are required. For more
information, call Fun Cruise & Travel toll-free at 1-888-826-9660.

JOIN US FOR THE 2008 CRUISE FOR A CAUSE
Our upcoming MSF Cruise for a Cause is scheduled for March 1st through
March 6th 2008. This five-night Western Caribbean Cruise, aboard Royal
Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas, will motivate, educate and empower
you to live well with MS.

This year's speakers include Ben Thrower, M.D., Randall Schapiro, M.D.,
Rosalind Kalb, Ph.D. and Nicholas LaRocca, Ph.D.

To make a reservation, contact Fun Cruise & Travel toll-free at
888-826-9660 or visit http://www.funcruiseforacause.com.

Making money

Friday, December 28, 2007

MS Foundation For Dec 2007

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Christmas what?

Monday, December 10, 2007

find me on bebo too

Sunday, December 09, 2007

StiffyKlix FUN FUN and NEW NEW

Wednesday, December 05, 2007

Viralurl is amazing! get yours free!

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

iraq survey

Monday, December 03, 2007

Team 6k4you is Jumpin

Saturday, December 01, 2007

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