LAKELAND - While the offices that support people living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) may be physically closed until June of 2021, outreach and support is still being offered through a variety of remote means.
"Given we are unable to provide in-person programs and services at this time, we have shifted to providing much needed support virtually," said Brenda Rosychuk, manager with the Lakeland Regional Office, MS Society of Canada. The MS Society has created a COVID-19 web resource at mssociety.ca specific to multiple sclerosis, and continues to monitor and update as information is made available, as well as offering virtual support groups and coffee groups.
Online education, webinars, and the first ever MS Connect Conference are other ways the MS Society has been able to continue on with its mission, while ensuring everyone's safety over the past eight months. Over 1,600 people from across Canada took part in the Connect Conference, which included over 300 people from Alberta.
"It's important to know that we haven't stopped delivering services to people affected by MS, and that our concern and top priority is to ensure we can continue doing so in both the short-term through this COVID-19 crisis, and in the long-term."
The MS Society has been monitoring the restart plans being put forward across the country, and has also been working on its own plans.
"Given the nature and the risk of COVID-19 in relation to our MS community, we have made the decision to continue delivering on our mission within a remote working environment," according to information from the MS Society.
The pandemic has affected the society financially, due to many of its fundraisers having to be cancelled or held through virtual means.
"Like many other Canadian health charities, we will be greatly impacted by the loss of revenue from the postponement and cancellation of events. Because of these circumstances, our ability to sustain previous staffing levels is untenable and we have had to make the difficult decision to reduce our staffing," according to information received from the MS Society.
That being said, registration for the society's 2021 MS Walk launched on Dec. 1. People can go to www.mswalks.ca to register. In 2020, the walk was held virtually, with individuals completing the walk on their own and raising funds online.
"Now is definitely the time where we need to get creative and start thinking outside the box, people living with and affected by MS are needing funds now more than ever," says Rosychuk.
Rosychuk remains the sole Lakeland staff person, and point of contact for anyone needing information regarding MS and services that are being offered. She can be reached by phone at 587-252-3502. The MS Navigators also continue to provide information and supports to people affected by MS and can be reached from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. eastern time, at 1-844-859-6789, through live chat on the MS Society's website, or by emailing [email protected].
Given the nature and the risk of COVID-19 in relation to the MS community, the society made the decision to continue delivering services within a remote working environment until June 30, 2021, explains Jennifer Asselin, a spokesperson with the MS Society of Canada.
"We feel this decision will support our efforts to put the health and well-being of those we serve at the forefront of our work. This also means we will continue to deliver programs and events virtually until at least the end of June," says Asselin.
Inequities of access to DMTs
The MS Society continues to work hard on a national level to be a voice for people diagnosed with MS.
A report released on Dec. 3 by the Conference Board of Canada, supported by the MS Society of Canada, has found that many Canadians living the MS can't get sufficient, equitable, or affordable access to disease-modifying therapies (DMTs).
Canada has one of the highest rates of MS in the world with 12 Canadians, on average, diagnosed with the disease each day. The report shows that many people face regulatory, administrative, and financial barriers to access DMTs.
“Timely access to DMTs for people living with MS can help to delay the onset of disability,” said Monika Slovinec D’Angelo, Director of Health at The Conference Board of Canada. “More broadly, it can lessen the financial strain placed on Canada’s healthcare system and lead to improved economic productivity.”
The Conference Board of Canada's research concludes that improving access will benefit not only people living with MS but also the health care systems and the economy, according to information from the MS Society.
