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J.A. (Tony) Harbin of Orange Park (Jacksonville), FL Receives Decade of Achievement in MS Award
—Honoree Makes Extraordinary Contributions to the MS Community —
Washington, D.C., December 8, 2003 – The Betaseron® Champions of Courage SM program announces that J.A. (Tony) Harbin is one of the top 15 winners of The Decade of Achievement in MS Award. Tony and his fellow honorees were determined to have exhibited extraordinary dedication to the MS community within the last 10 years, and include people with MS, their friends and family, companies, and members of the MS medical community.
The award commemorates the 10th anniversary of the availability of Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s Betaseron® (interferon beta-1b), and is sponsored by the Betaseron Champions of Courage, a program that supports people with MS who have inspiring goals, and who have made significant contributions to their families, community, or the lives of those affected by MS.
“Tony stood out for his outstanding contributions to the MS community,” said Eric Simons, chairman of the Betaseron Champions of Courage Advisory Board. “His ongoing contributions as a person with MS who has dedicated himself to raising awareness and funding for the research in this disease deserves special recognition,” Simons added.
Tony’s Contributions
Since Tony’s MS diagnosis in 1991, he has balanced his sales technology work with SC Johnson & Son, Inc. with active participation in his North Florida Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS).
According to Corrina Steiger, program manager for the North Florida Chapter, “It would be fair to say that Tony contributes a minimum of 15 hours per month to chapter activities. Between work, church and family, Tony’s contributions are extraordinary and demonstrate a deep commitment to raising awareness about this disease.”
As an “MS Ambassador” for the North Florida Chapter, Tony has written letters and made contacts when there is a public policy or advocacy issue at hand. In addition, Tony is a co-facilitator for the Clay County Lookin’ Good support group. Tony explains that the group was formed to help its members – many of whom “look so good” despite MS symptoms of fatigue and pain – educate the outside world about MS while supporting one another.
“Part of my passion is raising the public’s understanding about MS while helping members of the MS community live successfully with the disease,” Tony said.
Tony also serves as the chairman of the MS Walk in Clay County, acting in this capacity for the past 6 years. He and his committee members solicit donations from local businesses, secure the final Walk route and permits, etc. Under Tony’s chairmanship the Walk has more than tripled in participants and dollars raised in the past six years.
According to Corrina, “Tony makes sure everything we need for the Walk is donated from local businesses, persuading them of the benefits they can gain from being involved with the local MS Society. This has made a big difference in our fundraising efforts.”
In 2002, Tony also received the HF Johnson Community Service Award for “Meritorious Achievement” within his community. Annually, twelve employees/retirees are awarded this honor. SC Johnson & Son, Inc. employs more than 3,000 people in the United States and more than 12,000 worldwide.
Award Specifics
The Betaseron Champions of Courage received more than 160 nominations for the award. All nominees received an award certificate, as well as a Decade of Achievement in MS Award t-shirt and a letter of congratulations from the Betaseron Champions of Courage Advisory Board. From these 160 nominations, 15 were chosen for an additional level of recognition.
The 15 top award winners received a plaque and a letter of congratulations from the Betaseron Champions of Courage Advisory Board. They also will have their story featured on the www.championsofcourage.org web site, and in other materials.
About the Betaseron Champions of Courage
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 inspire others. Since the program was introduced in 1999, more than 30 individuals have received grants to underwrite motivating projects.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that randomly attacks 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, therapies are now available that affect the underlying disease course, as well as manage symptoms. MS affects more than a third of a million people in the U.S. alone, with someone being newly diagnosed virtually each hour.
For more information about applying for a Betaseron Champions of Courage grant or the Decade of Achievement in MS Award visit www.championsofcourage.org.
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Contact: |
Sheila Marmion
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