MS Kids Camp – $20,000

This August, the Central & Eastern Virginia Chapter partnered with the Central and Western Pennsylvania Chapters to host the fourth annual MS Kids Camp. The camp was held in the mountains of southwest Pennsylvania at Camp Jumonville where children ages seven to fifteen who have a parent or guardian living with multiple sclerosis are invited to attend camp. This year, 27 campers from Virginia attended the camp along with staff and volunteers.

While at camp, campers were able to talk about how MS affects their lives in a safe and understanding environment while dispelling myths and fears about the disease. Campers spent time with neurologist Dr. Troy Desai of Allegany General Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania who could answer their questions about MS as well as quiz the campers on their current MS knowledge. Campers also discovered how similar their parents’ MS symptoms are and how they all face common issues at home that their peers may not normally Outside of learning something new about MS, camp also provided a fun environment where the campers could be themselves and not worry about responsibilities they may normally have at home due to their parents’ disease.