Multiple sclerosis is a disease that  may not take a person’s life, but  it takes away many of the aspects of life, said Alexson Kane, communications manager for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society,North Central States Chapter.

“That’s why our organization is so important,” she said. “What we’re providing is so fundamental. We want to help people with MS move their lives  forward.”

Kane said the symptoms of MS take so many forms, from fatigue to blindness to complete paralysis, that the MS Society helps keep victims of the disease connected with each other and provides them with whatever help they may need to maintain the highest quality of life.

The organization holds many events throughout the year, with the walking or biking events being the most frequent. Kane said participants form teams for these events, usually either in honor of a  loved one or with a loved one afflicted with the disease as its captain, and then collect pledges.

“They are very popular events,” she said.”And they are a big help in raising the funds we need. The great part is that 83 cents of every dollar goes to people with MS in some way. We’re very proud of that.”

One of the organization’s biggest events of the year, however, is the Taste of Generosity, a wine tasting and auction. Now in its sixth year, the event averages about 300 guests per year.

“It’s one of our flagship events,”  Kane said.     March 5-11 will be national MS Awareness Week. This will be the second year for the national event, with programs being instituted in cities all around the country.

Kane said volunteers from the organization will be in the skywalks on March 9, handing out information in hopes of educating the public about the disease.

“There are a lot of misconceptions,” she said. “That is another one of our missions, to try to give people a better  understanding of the disease.”

The organization is also in the middle of an image makeover. Kane said a national advertising agency has donated their services to the effort.

Kane said the group has a huge array of volunteer opportunities, from working at events to helping around the chapter’s office.

“MS can affect anybody,” she said. “Usually, people are diagnosed in their 20s or 30s. So just think about it.You’re just starting your career and your family and you hear this laundry list of symptoms that could go along with this disease. It can be really scary, but they don’t have to go through it alone.”