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  • May 22, 2012 | 2:29 PM ET

    Race to Erase MS Gala...what an amazing event!

    Hi again!

    I had a FANTASTIC time in Los Angeles this weekend.    The Race to Erase MS Gala was incredible.  Over a thousand people came to help raise funds and awareness Friday night, and we had a fantastic panel on Saturday afternoon that featured doctors and people like myself living with Multiple Sclerosis.  I left feeling very optimistic about the future after hearing some of the amazing research that is being done and the new treatments coming out in the next few years.  We are very close to having a reliable oral medication as opposed to the injectable drugs most patients are on, and it’s also getting easier to diagnose people with MS with the quality of MRIs that are being done.  20 years ago we didn’t have any therapies on the market, and now there are several different medications to help people live a more productive life despite having been diagnosed with MS.

    Nancy Davis is the amazing woman who puts this Gala together every year.   She was diagnosed with MS over 20 years ago, but does not let he disease stop her.  She skis, plays tennis, has a black belt in karate, exercises, and travels, living her life to the fullest.  Not to mention being a mom to five children.  She’s also an author and dedicated philanthropist.    This is a picture of Nancy with myself and my good friend Neera who came with me on the trip as my date!  (My wonderful husband stayed home with my boys so I could do the trip)

    I met Demitrius Omphroy who made history in Major League Soccer last year after becoming the first athlete living with Multiple Sclerosis to have ever competed in the MLS.   He is a true inspiration, and tours the country to speak with people that have MS.

    David Osmond brought tears to my eyes telling his story of living with MS.   He’s the son of Alan Osmond (of the famous Osmond Brothers).  He has two beautiful children and an amazing wife that help keep him strong and healthy.   Our stories of living with and coping with MS are very similar.   David has dedicated himself to raising awareness and resources for non-profit charities over the last several years.

    I also met William Dean Singleton who is the Chairman of the Board of MediaNews Group,  which publishes 61 daily newspapers and over 100 non-daily publications in twelve states!   Dean was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis two decades ago, but has not let the illness stop his career aspirations, or his role as a husband, father and grandfather!

    And Clay Walker who I’m sure many of you have heard of!  (He’s been on FNC many times)   Clay was diagnosed with MS when he was just 26 years old, and at the time was a huge name in country music.   Like myself, Clay worried about how the diagnosis would affect his career if people found out.  But he continues to be a huge role model for others as he continues to make music, tour and be a father to his four kids and wonderful husband to his wife Jessica.  Clay has also formed a group Band Against MS, a not-for-profit charity organization dedicated to providing educational information for those living with MS and funding important research that may one day lead to a cure.  Here’s Clay with his wife Jessica along with me and Neera!

    And I also met this wonderful lady named Claudia Curry Hill  who was diagnosed with MS 25 years ago.   She serves on several non- profit boards, including the Nancy Davis Foundation for MS and the Colorado, Wyoming Chapter of the MS Society.   Claudia was the one who first approached me about the Race to Erase Gala, and boy am I glad she did!

    I met and talked with all of these incredible people who live with MS, lead by example and strive to raise awareness until we can finally find a cure for this chronic illness.  I feel so honored to know these people and call them my friends as we continue this journey together.

    As I mentioned, my girlfriend Neera (who I’ve known since High School) agreed to be my date for the event, and we decided to also make it a girls trip!  We went to dinner,  got massages, relaxed by the pool and had a wonderful vacation together.  Here are some of the pictures we took on our adventure:

     

     

     

    Special thanks to my wonderful husband and understanding boys Theodore and Matthew for letting me attend the event!   Boy did I miss everyone!  Glad to be back home, but am so thankful for the experience and the wonderful memories in California!

    JD

    Janice Dean
    Meteorologist

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Pam McGhee

I had my earlier comment taken out??? Does Janice even ever read or respond in this blog? If so, I'd like to hear more about Neera.

May 24, 2012 at 1:04 pm

Margie Gacki

Hey Gwen, don't feel bad. I hadn't heard about Hurricane Bud either so I wasn't sure what Don was talking about. Hey to everyone else. It's a cloudy, muggy morning in Cumberland. I'm feeling really tired. I haven't slept well the past couple days so I'm feeling a little run down. I've been working on a big project. I've been working with a group of artists & we are opening up a brand new gallery on Saturday--The Arts Place at Puccini. You can check it out at www.artsplaceatpuccini.com Margie

May 24, 2012 at 9:47 am

Gwen

Don, I feel like such a dummy! When I got home I found out there was a "Hurricane Bud" being tracked. And here I was thinking you were talking about beer...lol! :)

May 24, 2012 at 9:27 am
(1 Reply)

A.J. De Young

Hi, just had to share the most fun afternoon I had and 2 girlfriends helping serve the military and their families free food at Chick Fil A, we had a ball and our military fight for us and their families are awesome, met one of 1st Navy seals and a Korean war veteran and one woman and her kids were meeting her husband coming home from 7 months away at 8PM, God Bless them and CFA for their generosity and love of our troops, I can't wait for next year to do it all over again..I agree Gwen.

May 23, 2012 at 11:21 pm

DoloresFromOK

Hey,Bloggers,So great that JD had such a great weekend.You might have to something really nice for your 3 guys.I spent the day in Ponca City,OK,with my daughter and her family,and 4 greats.It was fun,but it was nic eto get home where quite reins.Very windy and 90 today,warm and sunny.My daughter made the best chocolate chip cookies.The recipe calls for vanilla pudding mix.They are awesome!!!Everyone take care and be safe,Dolores

May 23, 2012 at 9:39 pm

A.J. De Young

JD, I looked at your pictures again and if that is Nancy Davis between you and Neera, you and she could seriously look like sisters..bet the guys were happy to have you home again..hope all stay safe from the storms all around and Roxie is one lucky little puppy I'm thinking..Margie you are in my prayers, I emailed a friend who 10 years ago had your same diagnosis and she is doing great!!!! She had the same number of treatments also..weather here great as always AJ

May 23, 2012 at 4:36 pm
(1 Reply)

Jane Vogel

I just saw a tornado touch down a few blocks east of here. Hope everyone is OK.

May 23, 2012 at 4:17 pm

Gwen

Afternoon guys. Hope all are having a good day. Mine is better now that I've gotten all my guys paid again for another week. AJ, Roxie is doing well. She's in serious jeopardy of being smothered with love, but she seems to be handling it fine. Don..Bud who? I am quite confused! I feel like something just went ZOOM...right over my head! Margie, we'll keep praying for you! Weathercast: Hot and humid with a chance of more of the same. Catch y'all later! Gwen :)

May 23, 2012 at 4:04 pm

Margie Gacki

Hey Everyone, it's a humid 73 in Cumberland. We had a thunder storm last night and got about 1/4 in. of rain. It has looked threatening all day but so far no rain. I've been really feeling the heat lately. I think a lot of my issues are the effects of the tamoxifen. I'm waiting for a call to see when I start my radiation treatments. I'm not looking forward to 33 of those but at least it's a fast in and out procedure. That will help. I hope everyone has a great afternoon! Margie

May 23, 2012 at 1:46 pm

Xavier

Glad you had a good time, but don't portray this as some charity event when the foundation receives zero stars from Charity Navigator. You call Davis a “dedicated philanthropist,” yet her salary is an extraordinary 14% of foundation expenses. Incidentally, there already is an oral medication that is reliable for many patients, and as for MRI quality, studies have found the MRI is depended on too much anyway: http://www.oregonlive.com/health/index.ssf/2012/05/insight_into_why_hundreds_of_p.html

May 23, 2012 at 1:39 pm

Audrey from Indiana

J.D. What an amazing time you had over the week-end. I am sure you came away being thankful for what they are doing these days for MS. Thanks for sharing it with us. Your 3 boys, I am sure, are glad to have you home, but you looked like you were having a relaxing time with your friend and all the new ones you met. Weather today is beautiful. Around 75 degrees, and lots of sunshine. Suppose to have a rather warm rest of the week and into the holiday. Enjoy all. Audrey

May 23, 2012 at 1:17 pm

DoninRichmond

I hope Bud don't visit next week.

May 23, 2012 at 12:38 pm

Margie Gacki

Oh no, he we go again. I'm just posting something so you don't see the spam the first thing. Now I'm going to bed! I hope all the regular bloggers have a great Wednesday! Margie

May 23, 2012 at 12:31 am

A.J. De Young

JD thank you so much for sharing with us your wonderful weekend, sounds like it couldn't have been better, and that you met some wonderful new friends while enjoying being with your old schoolmate...in glorious sunny CA...just loved the pictures you looked wonderful and glamours as always...Gwen, how's Roxie...and happy they are on the edge in a lot of new discoveries in hopeful medicine for MS..hi everyone else..AJ

May 22, 2012 at 8:35 pm

DoninRichmond

Sounds like you had a great trip. Good for you. You deserve it.

May 22, 2012 at 5:12 pm

PJ MAN

Welcome home JD!! Thanks for the pictures and the story. I bet your 3 boys are so glad to see ya. 84 in Dallas and sunny. You need to do a Fox special on MS and have the guess on that you were with last weekend. Hope all have a great day. PJ

May 22, 2012 at 4:42 pm

Gwen

Great pictures, JD! Sounds (and looks) like you really had an extraordinary weekend. We missed you but are so glad you were able to attend and spend time with Neera. Weathercast: Lovely day in MySouth after several severe thunderstorms last night. I was at a Braves/Red Sox game (4-6 year olds) when one blew through. They did finish the game, but just before lightning put a stop to it. Cooler today, but heat indices will be 100+ by weekend. YIKES! Stay cool. Catch y'all later! Gwen :)

May 22, 2012 at 3:46 pm

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  • Cold fronts, snowstorms, hurricanes, and sunshine. Fox News Channel meteorologist Janice Dean blogs about it all here. You can also follow Janice on Twitter.

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