Hi everyone, this April I will be racing in the London Marathon for The Multiple Sclerosis Society. When I was 12 years old, I experienced a loss of vision in my left eye, optic neuritis, and was soon diagnosed with MS. Being diagnosed at such a young age was rare and it was extremely challenging for my family and myself to comprehend. I immediately began medication to slow the progression of this demyelinating disease, starting with Copaxone, an injection which caused me to develop hives and immense pain, and later switched to the cancer drug, Rituximab. My immune system became compromised and I obtained rare infections that caused my high school self to be constantly sick. Every day is a new challenge, hoping there isn’t a relapse in my near future and praying I will not wake up with another infection that will alter my life from an academic and personal standpoint. The medicine may be slowing the progression of the disease, but the side effects have caused a heavy burden on my young life. 

This is the first year The MS Society has acknowledged and publicly announced we are finally moving towards finding a CURE. Waking up everyday knowing a relapse is possible at any time is terrifying for all the incredible individuals who suffer from MS, including myself, so please consider donating to help end this disease for good. Any and all donations are greatly appreciated, and I personally can not thank you enough.