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WALK MS CHAMPIONS - BETHANY MASCH & NORTHWESTERN

Walk MS Champion - Northwestern

 

Bethany Masch is the captain of team Northwestern Memorial at the Chicago Lakefront Walk MS.

Tell me about your connection to MS. How and when did you first get involved with the National MS Society?

Bethany: I used to be a rehabilitation nurse, but when I got the job at Northwestern Memorial Hospital they asked me to specialize. One of the options that they gave me was multiple sclerosis. I didn’t have much experience with MS up to that point, but I did some research and decided that I’d like to make it my focus. Now I’ve been here for three and a half years, I’ve received my MS certification, and I can’t imagine it any other way.

Tom: I was diagnosed in 2003 after experiencing some numbness in my legs. I developed an antibody to my first medication and had a serious attack that left me unable to walk. I came to Northwestern, they fixed me up with a new treatment, and got me to a point where I could walk again. I had already been participating in a support group at the time, but this is when I decided to get involved with Walk MS as well. I decided to be more proactive – I wanted to walk for all of the people that couldn’t.

Wayne: I first found out that I had MS back in 1995. I lived in Florida at the time, and a year or two after the diagnosis I got involved with Bike MS down there. I rode in two event a year until I couldn’t ride any more, and then I moved up here to get treatment from Dr. Cohen here at Northwestern Memorial. This past year was my first time doing Walk MS in Illinois, although I had fundraised for a few of them in Florida.

How has your Walk MS team evolved over the years? What roles do each of you play in helping your team reach its goals?

Bethany: In my first year at Northwestern I heard that we had a Walk MS team, but there wasn’t much excitement about it. We raised about $500 from people contributing a few dollars here and there, and only seven of our Northwestern staff made it out on the day of the event.  There was a lot of room for improvement. I started making an effort to get our staff and patients more involved.

Tom: Bethany mentioned to me that Northwestern was looking for people to join their Walk team. I had been doing Walk with my own team, Buddy’s Crew, for a few years at that point, and I had an idea – why not combine our teams? This ended up working beautifully. In 2012 we had about 30 walkers and raised nearly $7,000. In 2013 we got up to 40 and $14,000. This year, we’re shooting for twice as many walkers and $20,000.

Bethany: When we combined the teams, Tom and I decided to split the captain duties. This year, we’ve added Wayne as another co-captain to help us keep growing.

Wayne: We’ve each taken on specific roles to keep things efficient. Tom’s in charge of our fundraising events, keeping them unique and fresh. Bethany’s been working on getting a sponsor for our team, and she’s also been trying to plan a larger-scale fundraising event, something with a big name that draws a crowd. I’m in charge of communications, keeping our team members active, engaged, and excited for this year’s event.

What are some of your fun, unique fundraising strategies?

Tom: I always have two goals with fundraising events: keep them unique, something that no one else is doing, and have them incorporate multiple aspects so that they draw a bigger crowd. Last year we had a darts tournament at a local bar, and we had a raffle and giveaways to go along with it. That way we draw in people who like darts, people interested in the prizes, people who just want a fun night out – people of all types!

Bethany: We’ve also been working to get a large, gala-like event off the ground. We want to find a big name person, someone with a connection to MS, to help us get some serious support and make it an annual happening. This is definitely our dream fundraising event.

Wayne: The Northwestern name has a lot of brand equity behind it, and we’re hoping that helps in making this event happen. I think it actually helps a lot right now – when people see the name, they think, “Oh wow, I have no problem donating to this cause.”

Why do you walk?

Tom: Because I still can, and I’ll keep going until I can’t do it anymore. MS doesn’t have to take control of my life, and this event proves that.

Wayne: I walk because I know that we are making a difference. When I was first diagnosed there were only a couple of medications available – now there are so many treatment options. The money we raise is helping to make this happen.

Bethany: I walk because I care. Every day I see first-hand the impact that MS has on people’s lives. I want to do my part to put an end to this disease.

 

 

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