GREATER ILLINOIS CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY ANNOUNCES 2014 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                   

                                          

GREATER ILLINOIS CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY ANNOUNCES 2014 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

Fifteen students in fourteen communities across the state awarded scholarships to support educational goals

Chicago — May 19, 2014 -- The Greater Illinois Chapter of the National MS Society has announced 15 new recipients of $1,000 college scholarships through its annual Scholarship Program. The 2014 MS scholarship recipients include:

·         Cody Bresnahan, of Minooka, is a senior at Minooka Community High School.

·         Sarah Callison, of Aurora, is a senior at Marquette Manor Baptist Academy.

·         Madison Corradi, of Arlington Heights, is a senior at Rolling Meadows High School.

·         Gregory Cox, Jr., of Havana, is a senior at Havana High School.

·         Jennifer Emmert, of Lombard, is a senior at Glenbard East High School.

·         Makenzie Hayden, of Greenup, is a senior at Cumberland High School.

·         Sean Moore, of Bloomingdale, is a senior at Lake Park High School.

·         Allison Pales, of Oswego, is a senior at Oswego High School.

·         Angela Polakowski, of Chicago, is a senior at Jones College Prep.

·         Andrew Posegay, of Glen Ellyn, is a senior at Glenbard West.

·         Kevin Rychel, of Gurnee, is a senior at Warren Township High School.

·         Addison Schwaller, of Sheridan, is a senior at the Illinois Math and Science Academy.

·         Emily Silberman, of Deerfield, is a senior at Deerfield High School.

·         Taylor Spooner, of Aurora, is a senior at Kaneland High School.

·         Melinda Troyka, of Carol Stream, is a senior at Glenbard North High School.

The program helps students affected by multiple sclerosis pursue a college or technical school education. It is open to high school seniors who live with MS or have a parent who does; or anybody living with MS who has not yet been to a post-secondary school.

In addition to the emotional toll, MS can have a substantial financial impact on a family. The direct and indirect costs of MS, including lost wages — even for those with health insurance — are estimated at more than $70,000 annually per household. This makes funding a college education that much harder.

“My mom has fought through her MS every step of the way. Five years ago, she graduated with her doctorate, teaching me that there is never a time to stop learning, no matter our circumstance,” explained Madison Corradi in her scholarship application essay. “I want to use my education to find a way to give back to all of the amazing parents and loved ones affected by this disease.”

Program Continues To Grow Across the Country

The Society established its scholarship program 11 years ago, and it immediately became a source of great encouragement for families concerned that MS might put college out of reach. This year, over $1.1 million in awards was presented to over 700 new and renewal recipients nationwide. Applications are evaluated on financial need, academic record, leadership and volunteer activities, a statement of educational and career goals, and letters of recommendation. Applicants are also asked to provide a personal statement describing the impact MS has had on their life. Scholarships range from $1,000 to $3,000 and typically cover one year, although a limited number of awards may exceed this amount.

“Multiple sclerosis not only has a huge impact on the individual living with the disease, but on their loved ones as well. For the hundreds of thousands diagnosed with MS across the country, there are very few known sources of scholarship assistance specially targeted for these families,” said John Blazek, President of the Greater Illinois Chapter. “MS shouldn’t stand in the way of an education, and we are hopeful this program will give families some relief.”

Information about scholarships for 2015-16 will be available on the National MS Society Web site on October 1^st. For more information, call 1-800-344-4867 or visit www.nationalMSsociety.org/scholarship. 

About Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis, an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system, interrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted, but advances in research and treatment are moving us closer to a world free of MS. Most people are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with at least two to three times more women than men being diagnosed with the disease. MS affects more than 2.3 million people worldwide. It is the #1 disabling neurological disease in young to middle-aged adults.

About the National MS Society

MS stops people from moving. The National MS Society exists to make sure it doesn’t. We help each person address the challenges of living with MS. Since its founding in 1946, the Society has allocated more than $771 million to MS research projects around the world. We are people who want to do something about MS NOW. Join the Movement®.

Early and ongoing treatment with an FDA-approved therapy can make a difference for people with multiple sclerosis. Learn about your options by talking to your healthcare professional and contacting the National MS Society at www.nationalMSsociety.org or 1-800-FIGHT-MS (344-4867).

Join the Movement is a registered trademark of the National MS Society