MS GOLF TOURNEY MONDAY

JACKSON -- A young mother wakes one morning too weak to pick up her 17-month-old daughter. The young mother has multiple sclerosis, a chronic and disabling disease that randomly attacks the nervous system.

That's why Debby Erlbacher Steger of Cape Girardeau wants everyone to play golf. The young woman with MS is her sister. On Monday, the first annual MS golf tournament will be held at Bent Creek Golf Course.

Steger, tournament coordinator, knows the debilitating disease can affect any family. Steger's sister, Kathy Erlbacher Van de Ven of Maryville, has suffered with the disease for 3 1/2 years. She said she has seen her sister's legs become like "Jello" on a family vacation. "Reality hit me in the fact that Kathy had MS," said Steger. "She will get worse and she will be in a wheelchair."

Symptoms of MS are very unpredictable and vary greatly in people. Symptoms might include abnormal fatigue, impaired vision, loss of balance, loss of muscle coordination, slurred speech, tremors and partial to complete paralysis.

Steger, Van de Van, and her mother, Francine Seyer of Cape Girardeau, have worked around the clock for months planning the golf fund-raising event.

"A cure may be near," said Seyer. Now is the time to donate more money into research of the disease.

Van de Van, a mother of two, agrees.

"They are so close to a cure," she said. "Without funding for research we will never find that cure."

The women said the goal of the golf tournament is ambitious. They hope to raise $20,000 to 25,000. All donations will go directly to national research of MS.

All three said they are committed to the fight against MS.

"I chose to get involved because I know I can help make a difference," said Van de Van. "That is why I called on family and friends to help in the fund-raising efforts. I am truly overwhelmed with the generosity and compassion of people towards this disease."

Steger said organizing the golf tournament is a full-time job.

"We had to sell holes," she said. Eighteen holes of golf were sold for $500 donations. For their donation, donors received free golf in the tournament for two, a name sign at the hole, a plaque and a T-shirt. Other sponsorships for the golf tournament were offered.

The tournament is still in need of golfers. Teams or individuals may sign-up. Lunch and giveaways will be provided per golfer. Prizes will be awarded for par three hole-in-ones. Team prizes will also be awarded.

To register, call 651-3550.