For nearly 20 years, Lizelle Mendoza has lived with multiple sclerosis. Fatigue is her greatest daily challenge, but Mendoza says she couldn’t have learned to work around her symptoms without the support of the MS Society of Canada.
It’s a story all too familiar for many Canadians.
According to the MS Society of Canada, one in every 385 Canadians live with the neurological disease, and it can be difficult to diagnose. MS is unpredictable and includes a wide range of symptoms including extreme fatigue, impaired sensations, vision and bladder problems, and cognitive impairment.
“Canada has one of the highest MS rates rates in the world,” said Terry Taciuk of A&W Canada, “We really see it as a Canadian disease.”
There is currently no cure for MS, and that’s why A&W Canada partnered with the MS Society of Canada 10 years ago to introduce Burgers to Beat MS Day. On Aug. 16, each Teen Burger sold in Canada raises $2 for the society to support Canadians living with MS.
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So far, $11 million has been raised in the decade-long program, said David Arbuthnot with the MS Society of Canada. In 2017, $1.85 million was raised across the country, and this year, the goal is $2 million.
Proceeds from Burgers to Beat MS goes towards research, local wellness and support programs, as well as services and advocacy, said Arbuthnot.
While a cure has not yet been found, researchers have made vast improvements in developing treatments.
“When I started with the MS Society 20 years ago, there was very little disease-modifying therapies,” said Arbuthnot. “Now there’s 14 on the market, and it’s really helped people live a much better life.”
For more information about multiple sclerosis, visit the MS Society of Canada website, here.
WATCH: A look at how far MS research has come
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