On February 28, 2020 Women Against Multiple Sclerosis hosted its annual luncheon gala. Held at the Ottawa Conference and Event Centre the lively event was filled with people mingling, networking and donating to the cause through the silent auction.
WAMS is a powerful group of Canadian business leaders whose collective achievements help to raise funds to end Multiple Sclerosis. Events like these are important to spread the word on diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis or MS. What many don't know is that Canada has the highest rate of MS in the world and that an average of 11 Canadians are diagnosed with MS everyday. Since 2005 the organization has donated millions to help the cause, and within the first hour of the event they were able to raise $20,000!
At the luncheon Ellen Corkery-Dooher, a partner at PwC Canada, was the events honouree. Diagnosed a number of years ago, Ellen is also a cancer survivor and works to live-in-the-moment everyday. She is a certified management consultant and change management practitioner, working in the consulting field for over 30 years. An active member in her community, she is a devoted supporter of the Ottawa Food Bank and former board director for Christie Lake Kids. Not only that, but she also works to raise funds for cancer and MS research and is a participant in the PwC MS Bike event. With humour and emotion Ellen told attendees her MS story, about her diagnosis and what it takes to live everyday to its fullest. Congratulations to Ellen, who deserves this recognition for her hard work.
WAMS had two other speakers that afternoon, Dr. Lara Pilutti and Zahra Al-Harazi. Dr. Pilutti shared the latest in local MS research in a time where significant progress is being made and breakthrough solutions can change the world for people living with MS everywhere. She hopes through research this desire can be diagnosed earlier and better diagnoses. Zahra Al-Harazi was the keynote speaker for the afternoon. Among Canada's most successful entrepreneurs, she told the luncheon guests about her unconventional path to starting her first company, Foundry Communications, and the obstacles she faced in her personal life. A survivor of two civil wars, Zahra immigrated to Canada with her three small children 18 years ago and is now inspiring people all over the world with her story.
WAMS held a great event that educated and inspired all of the attendees while raising funds for the important research that may someday find a cure for MS.
If you are interested in learning more about WAMS or dotnating you can find them on social media @MSSocietyCanada or visit them at mssociety.ca.