4th Annual Mouse Races for MS

Let the races begin!

Sandy Hoffman, of Jackson and her family know the importance of getting active for a cause you believe in. Sandy was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis 20 years ago. Her 23 year-old daughter was diagnosed several years ago, and her older brother has been living with the disease for more than 28 years.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease affecting more than 400,000 people in the United States. The disease targets the brain and central nervous system creating a wide range of debilitating symptoms both physical and mental. These symptoms range from muscle spasms and weakness to loss of vision or hearing and depression. In many cases these symptoms are severe and have given MS a reputation as a truly life-altering disease. The National MS Society has been the front line in the fight against MS since 1946, working relentlessly to raise the money needed to find a cure and support the MS community.

"I became involved in MS Corporate Achievers to create more awareness about MS and to raise money to help find a cure," said Hoffman. "The best way to learn more about MS is to get involved," she said. "Maybe no one in your family is affected by MS, or you don't know anyone with the disease, so you think it isn't important to you, but now is the time to take an active role," Hoffman encourages. "MS can affect anyone at any time and while it is hard hearing that you have the disease, it is even harder hearing that your child does. That's why it's important to become involved," said Hoffman.

The Mouse Races for MS have become an annual fundraiser for Sandy as part of her MS Corporate Achievers campaign. Sandy has co-chaired this event with Jeanne Churchill in the past, but is co-chairing the event this year with MS Corporate Achievers Honoree and Campaign Chairperson, Lisa Rogers of Cape Girardeau. This 4th annual event will take place at the VFW, 1049 N. Kingshighway this Saturday, June 23rd.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with dinner sponsored by Port Cape, The Branding Iron and O'Charley's. Complimentary beer will be provided for the first hour thanks to River Eagle Distributing, Bluff City Beer and Kohlfeld Distributing. A dance will follow the races.

Advance tickets will be sold until Friday at 5:00. Individual tickets are $20 per person, $35 per couple or $140 to sponsor a table of 8. Benefits of sponsoring a table are: sponsors name appears in the event program, sponsors are assigned a mouse and the sponsor's name is announced during races, sponsors name will appear on a table tent on your reserved table, and the sponsor materials (provided by company) may be placed on all tables. Tickets at the door are $25 per person. VFW members may attend for $15 per person, proof of membership required. MS clients may attend for free, but will need to call for a reservation.

For those who cannot make it to the Mouse Races for MS, but would like to participate, there are opportunities to sponsor a race for $100 or a mouse for $25.

If you would like ticket or sponsorship information regarding the Mouse Races for MS you may contact Sharon Hileman at 314-303-6793.