Charlottesville Man With MS NAMED ‘CHAMPION OF COURAGE’; Organizes MS Swimathon
WASHINGTON, DC, October 3, 2001 – Vance High, a 43-year-old Charlottesville resident who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) 12 years ago, recently received a Betaseron® Multiple Sclerosis Champions of CourageSM grant enabling him to organize a swim-a-thon to raise money for MS research.
The swim-a-thon is scheduled for Saturday, October 27 from 6 am to 6 pm at Crow Pool in Charlottesville. High and other swimmers will raise money for MS research based on the amounts pledged by sponsors for each lap they swim.
The Betaseron® Champions of Courage program recognizes the accomplishments of people with MS and provides grants to help them achieve their goals and inspire others. Since the program was introduced in 1999, more than 25 women and men have received grants to underwrite motivating projects.
“Vance shows that a positive attitude and determinations are key to overcoming obstacles created by a disability,” said Eric Simons, motivational speaker with MS and chairman of the Betaseron® Champions of Courage program.
In addition to raising funds for MS research, High hopes that this event will bring attention to how swimming has as an exercise and therapy helps persons with MS.
“Swimming is a great mood elevator. It makes me feel free and healthy again,” says Vance.
Vance is a lifeguard and water safety instructor at the Charlottesville pools and at Piedmont Virginia Community College, where he is an associate professor. He is also SCUBA certified.
About the Betaseron® Multiple Sclerosis Champions of Couragesm Program
Funded by a grant from Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the Betaseron® Champions of Courage program provides grants to people who are coping successfully with MS and who have a project that will motivate others. To apply for a grant, individuals must be taking the MS medication Betaseron®, describe their community service activities and outline their plan for a grant. Applications can be obtained by visiting www.championsofcourage.org, or by calling 1-202-363-3378. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and are reviewed twice a year.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that randomly attacks the central nervous system, affecting the brain and spinal cord, wearing away control over the body. Symptoms may range from numbness to paralysis and blindness. Though no cure yet exists, there are now therapies available that can impact underlying disease course as well as manage symptoms. MS affects more than a third of a million people in the US alone, with someone being newly diagnosed virtually each hour.
