Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disease affecting the central nervous system including the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. Over 90,000 Canadians live with the disease and approximately 12 people are diagnosed every day.
Gayelene Bonenfant has been volunteering with MS Canada for 25 years and served on the Alberta & NWT Division Board from 2009–2019 and the National Board of MS Canada from 2011–2021. We had the privilege of speaking with MS Canada Ambassador and long-time volunteer, Gayelene, to find out more about MS Canada and why she got involved.
Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.
MS impacts all Canadians not just the people who live with it. It also affects their family, friends, and community. MS Canada provides support programs to people affected by MS, while advocating for change and funding groundbreaking research into the cause and cure for MS.
What problem does the non-profit aim to solve?
MS Canada supports Canadians living with MS from the moment they receive their diagnosis and throughout their MS journey.
We connect the MS community to information, support programs, and research. Together with the MS community, we also advocate for better supports for all Canadians affected by MS, in the areas of income and employment security, MS treatments, and MS care and housing.
When did you join the non-profit? What made you want to get involved with the non-profit in the first place?
I began volunteering with MS Canada in 2000, the year after my sister was diagnosed with MS. MS has been a part of my life as long as I can remember. I was very aware of it growing up as it was especially prevalent in my hometown.
It’s always been at the forefront for my family and our community, which is why for me, getting involved is about community — making connections, building relationships, and being there to support those around me who are affected by and living with MS.
What was the situation like when you started? How has it changed since?
When I first got involved, there were only a few therapies available for people living with relapsing remitting MS. Today, there are 18 disease modifying treatments available, and there is also a growing focus on treatments for people who live with secondary progressive MS.
Over the past 25 years, research progress has greatly advanced our understanding of how to diagnose and treat MS, leading to significant improvements in health outcomes and quality of life for people diagnosed with MS.
We’ve taken so many important steps forward — and with MS Canada’s ongoing investment in cutting-edge research, including a focus on prevention, we continue to make meaningful progress. Each advancement moves us closer to a world free of MS.
What more needs to be done?
There is still a lot we don’t know about MS. More research is needed to better understand the disease. While significant progress has been made, there is more work to be done — including increasing awareness about MS and its symptoms to help people receive earlier diagnoses, which in turn, supports long-term brain health by reducing disease activity and delaying disability progression.
How can our readers help?
There are so many ways to make a difference in the lives of Canadians affected by MS. Whether you choose to fundraise, advocate for change, volunteer your time, or help raise awareness in your community – every action creates positive change and moves us closer to a world free of MS. Visit mscanada.ca to learn more about all the ways you can get involved.
If you are interested in getting involved as an MS Ambassador or volunteer, I encourage you to reach out to volunteer@mscanada.ca.
Do you have any events coming up?
Yes, we do! A&W Canada’s annual Burgers to Beat MS Day is taking place on Thursday, August 21! On this day, $2 from every Teen Burger sold at A&W restaurants across Canada will be donated to MS Canada to help fund critical research and support programs that are fundamental to changing lives. Ahead of Burgers to Beat MS Day, guests can show their support by donating in multiple ways. Guests can round up any purchase made at an A&W restaurant, donate at the till by cash or card, or donate on the app or online at BurgersToBeatMS.ca.
Throughout the year there are many fundraising events such as the Calgary Jayman BUILT MS Walk and Calgary MS Whisky Festival that Calgarians can get involved in. You can follow MS Canada on social and check out the community event listings year-round, to learn more about fundraising events throughout the year.
Where can we follow you?
You can stay connected with MS Canada on Facebook and Instagram. Visit MS Canada’s website to learn more about MS, explore the latest research, and ways you can make an impact.
•PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?
I’d like to highlight the Alzheimer Society of Alberta & NWT, which raises awareness, provides support programs, and funds research into the cause, prevention, and cure. You can visit their website to learn more and get involved.
