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Our mission is to assist MS sufferers in
obtaining treatments not available in
the standard medical system.
What We Do
The WAMS Foundation focuses on helping
MS sufferers’ access alternative treatments
that aren’t available to them through the
standard medical system or are beyond
their financial means. WAMS aims to
enhance the quality of life of MS patients.
How We Do It
WAMS makes a difference one patient at a time.
Donations will be used to help a specific person
get the treatment they seek.
Who Started the Walk A Myelin Our
Shoes Foundation (WAMS)?
The WAMS Foundation was founded by Carmen
Amundsen, her cousin Melanie Pump and her
partner Jennie deFoy. Carmen is an MS sufferer
who wished to help other MS sufferers attain
alternative therapies they could not afford.
Why is the Foundation called Walk A
Myelin Our Shoes (WAMS)?
Myelin refers to the Myelin sheath, the covering
on the nerves, MS damages the Myelin and
exposes the nerves which causes demyelination.
How is the WAMS Foundation Different from
others MS Societies and Organizations?
The core purpose of the WAMS Foundation is to
help MS sufferers improve their quality of life.
The WAMS foundation is not politically aligned;
our goal is to educate the public and help MS
sufferers access alternative therapies to alleviate
their symptoms.
How is the WAMS Foundation
funded?
To do our work we rely heavily on public and
corporate donations, to donate to
our foundation please visit us at
www.wamsfoundation.com
WAMS puts a face on the disease, so the world
understands the suffering and the need for
quick action and research to find a cure for the
harrowing disease.
What is Multiple Sclerosis?
Multiple Sclerosis is an unpredictable, often
disabling disease of the central nervous system.
The disease attacks the myelin which is a
protective covering wrapped around the nerves,
causing crippling effects to its sufferers.
What is CCSVI?
CCSVI stands for chronic cerebrospinal venous
insufficiency. The term is used
to describe compromised flow of blood in the
veins that drain the central nervous system.
What alternative therapies are
available for MS sufferers?
Acupuncture, Naturopathy, CCSVI, stem cell
therapies and many other treatments have had
promising results for MS patients.
Canadians have one of the highest
rates of Multiple Sclerosis in the
world
Multiple Sclerosis is the most common
neurological disease in Canada
Every day, three more people in Canada are
diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis
Women are three times more likely
to develop Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis can cause loss of
balance, impaired speech, extreme fatigue,
double vision and paralysis
Canada is a high risk area for Multiple
Sclerosis, which occurs more often in
countries, like Canada that are further
away from the equator
The cause of MS is not known
MS is not contagious, and is not inherited
Multiple sclerosis can occur at any age
An estimated 55,000-75,000 Canadians
have Multiple Sclerosis. Prevalence rates in
Canada are one of the highest in the world.
There are four types of Multiple Sclerosis:
Relapsing Remitting MS (RRMS)
Primary Progressive MS (PPMS)
Secondary Progressive MS (SPMS)
Progressive Relapsing MS (PRMS)
Relapsing Remitting MS
RRMS is a type of MS characterized by
unpredictable but clearly defined episodes
during which new symptoms appear, or existing
ones get worse. About 85% of people have
RRMS at the time of diagnosis.
Primary Progressive MS
PPMS characterized by a slow accumulation
of disability, without relapses. It may stabilize for
periods of time, and even offer minor
temporary improvement, but overall, there are
not periods of remission in PPMS.
Approximately 10% of people diagnosed with
MS have PPMS.
Secondary Progressive MS
SPMS follows on a course of RRMS. Over time,
distinct relapses and remissions become less
apparent and the disease begins to worsen
steadily. About 50% of people with RRMS will
develop SPMS within 10 years of diagnosis.
Progressive Relapsing MS
PRMS is the rarest type of MS, occurring in only
about 5% of people diagnosed. People with this
form of MS experience steadily worsening
disease from the beginning, but also experience
clear attacks of symptoms, with or without
recovery.
There is no cure for Multiple Sclerosis
How do I apply to receive funding
from the WAMS Foundation?
To receive financial aid from the WAMS
Foundation please apply at
www.wamsfoundation.com