Golf day generates much-needed boost
More than R 100 000 was raised for the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society KZN.
THE Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society KZN’s golf day was an enormous success with more than R 100 000 raised on the day.
The society was formed 50 years ago. The committee started by hosting support groups meetings once a month.
Dee Munks, chairperson of the NPO said the society has had many chairpersons through the years but has maintained an honest and sincere approach to all its work.
“We are now growing and through amazing donors like Lotto and fundraising events like our recent golf day, we are able to deliver incontinence wear, food vouchers, walking aids and caregivers to our database of people with MS. We have a wonderful patient Support Person, Nikki Robinson, who works so hard and passionately to make sure all our members are loved, heard and supported,” said a proud Munks.
What is MS?
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system). It is a disease in which the immune system eats away at the protective covering of nerves.
In MS, resulting nerve damage disrupts communication between the brain and the body.
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According to Munks, multiple sclerosis causes many different symptoms, including vision loss, pain, fatigue, slurred speech, dizziness.
She said other symptoms include numbness or weakness in one or more limbs that typically occurs on one side of your body at a time, or your legs and trunk, electric-shock sensations that occur with certain neck movements, especially bending the neck forward (Lhermitte sign), tremor, lack of coordination or bladder function issues.
“Vision problems are also common, including: Partial or complete loss of vision, usually in one eye at a time, often with pain during eye movement, Prolonged double vision and blurry vision,” she said.
The symptoms
According to Munks, the symptoms, severity and duration can vary from person to person. Everyone’s symptoms are unique.
“Some people may be symptom free for most of their lives, while others can have severe, chronic symptoms that never go away.
“Signs and symptoms of MS vary widely and depend on the amount of nerve damage and which nerves are affected. Some people with severe MS may lose the ability to walk independently or at all, while others may experience long periods of remission without any new symptoms,” explained Munks.
She said there is no cure for multiple sclerosis. However, treatments can help speed recovery from attacks, modify the course of the disease and manage symptoms.
ALSO READ: Help KZN MS Society continue its vital service
Munks said the disease is most commonly detected between people aged 20 and 40 but there are cases of younger and older folk being diagnosed.
“The doctor would do an MRI to detect lesions and a spinal tap. The cause is unknown, it can be hereditary with one being predisposed to MS but we have seen people from all walks of life, all races all ages, – many with no known family members with the disease and it can come out of the blue,” she said.
She thanked everyone who was part of their golf day,
“There were generous sponsors and fun was had by everyone. We also had an art auction which was very profitable and we look forward to hosting this event every year. Thanks to our vice-chairperson, Karen Mawson, for all her hard work in putting this superb event together,” she said.
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At the time of going to press, the contents of this feature mirrored South Africa’s lockdown regulations.
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