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WALK MS CHAMPIONS - HEATHER DAIGLE XU

 

Heather Xu

Heather Daigle Xu is the captain of her corporate team, the KPMG Stompers, at the Chicago Lakefront Walk MS.

Q: Tell me about being diagnosed with MS. What is your story? 

A: I was 23 years old, sitting in my cubicle at work, when I noticed that the vision in my right eye was clouded and just … not quite right. After a number of doctor’s visits, I was told that I had optic neuritis and that it was one of the most common symptoms of MS. The days and weeks that followed were challenging and filled with uncertainty.

First, I received high doses of intravenous steroids to treat the optic neuritis. It was extremely unpleasant, but my vision, thankfully, returned to normal. While I held onto hope that this was just a one-time event, there were some things that suggested this was MS. The results of my MRI were “questionable”. Also, I experienced a tingling sensation down my back when I bent my head forward, and I was surprised to learn there is actually a name for this related to MS: lhermette’s sign. The official diagnosis came several months later when I experienced another change in vision – this time in my left eye.

Q: After your diagnosis, how did having MS motivate you?

A: The diagnosis actually inspired me to take a risk and move back to China, where I lived the year prior.  At the time of the diagnosis, I wasn’t happy in the city where I was living or with my job, and finding out that I have multiple sclerosis just added to the feeling of being “lost”. At a time where so many things were confusing and uncertain, I wanted to go back to a place where life “made sense”. For me, that place was China. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

Q: How does having MS continue to motivate you now?

A: Having MS inspires me to make the most of my life and pursue the things that bring me joy. I don’t know what challenges tomorrow will bring, but I can’t let MS stop me in my tracks today!

Q: What was it like learning that your organization was such a strong supporter of something so important to you? Did you know about their support of MS when you took the job?

A: I believe it was my first week at KPMG when I discovered that the National MS Society was one of the firm’s strategic charitable affiliations. At the time, I hadn’t shared my diagnosis with anyone, but it was a comfort to know that the firm supported this cause. I realized that if and when I did share the fact that I have MS, that I would receive support.

Q: How did you start the KPMG Stompers?

A: KPMG encourages employees to rise up and initiate programs that are meaningful to us and bring value to the firm. I started by identifying the leaders who were involved in the MS Society in our Chicago office and asking if they would be open to my starting a team for Walk MS. Before officially committing to it, however, I asked five of my closest friends whether they would commit to join the team if I started it. They all agreed, so I took the leap and didn’t look back!

Q: Why did you decide to recruit your coworkers?

A: For me, my first priority as a corporate team is to engage my company. My primary goals are to raise awareness about MS within KPMG and to contribute back to the MS Society through KPMG.

Q: How did sharing your diagnosis with your coworkers help you and your team to accomplish your goals?

A: I’ve found that people support causes that are meaningful to them. The stories that I shared about my personal experiences and about the ways the National MS Society has had a positive impact on my life created that meaning for some of my friends and colleagues. What surprised me the most was that it also inspired others to share about the ways MS has impacted their loved ones – moms, brothers, friends, etc. Through sharing my story, I realized that I wasn’t alone in the fight against MS.

Q: What kind of support do you receive from KPMG and your team?

A: The support of my team made all the difference! I could not have been as bold in telling my story or publicizing our efforts if they weren’t right there beside me. The positive response we received from leadership, and even the national firm, fueled our efforts even more. I was even able to connect personally with the partner co-chair for our Abilities in Motion network, who is on the national board for MS Society and further encouraged our team.

Q: How did you build your fundraising last year?

A: One key strategy was to fundraise as a team. There is a Chinese proverb that says one chopstick alone can be easily snapped in half, but a group of chopsticks together is hard to break. We applied this philosophy to our fundraising efforts. As a team, we reached out to our colleagues, listed all of our names and asked them to support the KPMG Stompers as a group – not each of us as individuals. Of course, we fundraised individually with our own friends and family, but coming together as a team within KPMG sent a powerful message and helped up secure more support.

Q: Are you planning to do anything different to fundraise this year?

A: This year, we aim to grow our team of fundraisers and to equip them to be bold in asking for support. For example, we are building a fundraising email toolkit with sample emails that tell the story of the KPMG stompers and our connections to MS. The intent is that any one of our team members can send these personalized messages to their colleagues, friends or family, which will make fundraising much easier for them.

Q: What are your best memories from last year’s Walk MS?

A: The team tent! When we found out we would have one, it generated a lot of energy, not just for me, but for the people on my team. We were all really excited to have the tent and find a banner to put on it. Things like that seem small, but they really make a difference. MS Society truly pulled us in and made us feel like a part of the movement, and that helped us surpass our goals.

Q: Why do you walk, and what is your hope for the future?

A: I walk for all of the people who face challenges in their life because of an MS diagnosis, and I walk so their lives can be improved through greater support, greater treatment options, and the potential for a cure. My hope for the future is that we will no longer have reason to walk – that we will accomplish our goal of stomping out MS. 

  

 

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