Rockin’ Against Multiple Sclerosis began hosting the first of many events this week planned for the annual philanthropy. These events are intended to raise funds for the MS Institute of Mid-Missouri and to increase awareness about the disease.
Led by Tri-Directors Cassie Batchelder, Leah Kennett and Ryan Neff, the 2011 RAMS Steering Committee is comprised of 31 other MU students, making RAMS the largest student-run philanthropy at MU. According to a news release, RAMS raised over $78,000 for the MS Institute of Mid-Missouri last year.
Since being selected in March 2010, the tri-directors have been planning for the philanthropy but went into full motion when the steering committee was selected in October.
“Students are busy and (are) asked for a lot of money throughout the year,” Batchelder said. “We realize this and hope that RAMS manages to be a fun learning experience rather than a burden.”
Batchelder said the event lineup will include slight changes from previous years.
“We are trying to make Service Day more hands on to allow the different organizations to get to know more about MS and we also changed some things about Jail-N-Bail such as moving it to the Student Center and including some celebrity guests,” Batchelder said.
Events include Service Day on Saturday, Banner Competition on Sunday and Jail-N-Bail on Tuesday and Wednesday. Preliminaries for Rock-It take place Tuesday and Wednesday, with finals on Feb. 18.
“This year the weather really got in the way of our plans and we’ve got our fingers crossed that everything will turn out well nonetheless,” Batchelder said.
Commonly referred to as MS, multiple sclerosis is a potentially debilitating disease that attacks one’s central nervous system. According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society website, the effects of MS are irreversible and its symptoms vary from one individual to another.
Apart from the main string of events in February, the RAMS steering committee also does service events throughout the year with MS clients throughout Missouri.
“Our goal is always awareness and fundraising, so with all we do, we hope people are learning more about MS and we hope to raise some money to give to the MS Institute,” Batchelder said.
RAMS adviser Deanna Harper said MS clients are very appreciative of RAMS efforts.
“I have been in this job for 17 years, and the clients have been so impressed that these students really care for them,” Harper said. “Some of the clients call them angels and I have a file full of thank you notes from clients who have been assisted through the MS Institute for medical supplies and equipment thanking the students for donating money to be used to make their lives easier.”
One of these clients is Becky Wise, who wrote in a letter to Harper and the RAMS Steering Committee, “I do thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all that you do to support the MS Institute which makes it possible for the MS Institute to help make our lives less stressful.”