Cruisin to End MS

By Mike Pearson,News staff

Amanda Piron went from playing competitive softball to using a walker within a span of six months.

At 17, a progressive form of multiple sclerosis left the York University student unable to walk on her own, let alone run the bases.

Today at 24, Piron is back on her feet. Shes also ditched the walker thanks to new treatment technologies and resources from the MS Society of Canada.

Im feeling more and more my age every day, which is awesome, said Piron, an Aurora, Ont. native.

Piron and officials from the MS Society of Canada and A&W Restaurants visited Stoney Creek on Aug. 20 to kick off the sixth annual Cruisin to End MS fundraiser which has raised more than $5 million to support research and assist Canadians living with the neurological disease. This years event is Aug. 21.

Canada has the worlds highest rate of multiple sclerosis, which affects more than 100,000 people. MS is the most common neurological disease affecting Canadian young adults. It can affect vision, hearing, memory, balance and mobility. Its cause is not known.

Piron, an ambassador for the MS Society, has endured many of the classic MS symptoms, from dizzyness and fatigue to bladder disorders.

After trying two different injectable medications with limited success, Piron dramatically improved her quality of life with an infusion medication administered once per month.

Tysabri, approved by Health Canada in 2006, is designed for patients with relapsing-remitting MS to reduce the frequency of relapses, delay the progression of disability and reduce the number and volume of brain lesions seen on MRIs.

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Cruisin to End MS