Help KZN MS Society continue its vital service

THE non-profit organisation, Multiple Sclerosis Society KZN, has provided consistent help to those in need for 30 years, but desperately requires your assistance to ensure its invaluable service continues.

“Our funds are so low that we can no longer keep our society going. Our support social worker had to take a sabbatical until more funds are raised. This means that the patients will not be called or visited for the near future,” said the chairman of MS KZN, Dee Munks.

The support social worker was employed on a part-time basis at R6 400 per month and is an annual expense to the organisation of R76 800.

This excludes phone calls and computer usage per month.

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“We were also subsidising nappies to folk who were in financial difficulties but we have had to stop that as well. This was costing us R10 000 per month and we could not sustain this expense so we have had to stop supplying,” said a saddened Munks.

The organisation’s committee is formed by a group of caring volunteers who pour their time and energy into helping those in need.

All of the admin work, stationery costs, computers, phone calls are funded by the committee.

“When we organise coffee dates or socials, very often the eats and drinks are supplied by the committee free of charge. We organise wellness days with free entrance and welcome donations because we want to create more awareness around this awful disease,” said Munks.

The disease

“Multiple sclerosis is a life-long disease that affects the central nervous system. It is referred to as an autoimmune disease where the body’s own immune system goes haywire and starts destroying the myelin sheaf which protects the nerve fibres,creating multiple lesions/scars on the brain. This results in a disruption of the message flow from the brain or spinal cord and the rest of the body,” said Munks.

Symptoms

Vision problems, fatigue (that cannot go away with a nap), pins and needles, muscle spasms, dizziness, imbalance, trouble walking, speech issues, bladder and/or colon difficulties, concentration and memory issues, pain and headaches.

Can you help?

The organisation is in need of medium to large adult diapers. To donate, contact Dee Munks on 083 411 4282.

Bank account details:

Account name: Multiple Sclerosis KZN

Bank: FNB

Account number: 50900010815

Branch code: 221526

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