Giving back in March: The Multiple Sclerosis Foundation

Each month, IAC-EZ gives back by donating a portion of the proceeds to charity from each new client who signs up. Since March is national Multiple Sclerosis (MS) awareness and education month, it seems only fitting that our philanthropic efforts in March are pointed toward this worthwhile cause.

People who have MS have several areas of inflammation and scars on their brain and spinal cord and as a result, their day-to-day life is impacted in dramatically. The Multiple Sclerosis Foundation lists the following common symptoms: “fatigue, weakness, spasticity, balance problems, bladder and bowel problems, numbness, vision loss, tremor and vertigo”. People with MS may suffer from a few or several of these, and the symptoms may be periodic or constant, mild or severe.

Little is known about MS but between 350,000 and 500,000 people in the US have it. There are a number of organizations addressing Multiple Sclerosis – some do research and scientific studies to search for a cure while others work on improving the quality of life in MS patients. IAC-EZ is partnering with MSF – the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, which is dedicated to improving the quality of life in MS patients.

MSF offers a variety of services to MS patients. For example, each year they give away grants:
There’s the Brighter Tomorrow grant, a grant that provides a patient with something that they want (which they might not be able to afford) in order to brighten their life. And, there’s the computer grant, a grant that gives individuals with MS a refurbished or rebuilt computer – an essential item because computers are often the “window to the world” for patients with limited mobility.

The funds raised from IAC-EZ will go toward some of the other day-to-day services MSF provides: For example, MSF pays for homecare or personal hygiene assistants to visit patients regularly and help them with the activities that most of us take for granted. And there’s the Yoga in Chairs program, and funds from IAC-EZ will allow people with MS to participate enjoy exercise through yoga and tai chi classes for free.

What’s more, 100% of the funds raised for MSF from March’s sign-ups will go towards helping the day-to-day needs of MS patients, not a penny is spent on administration, so if you’re signing up in March, you have the confidence that your contribution is being used in its entirety to directly impact an MS patient!

Visit their website- it gives a wealth of information about the disease and about their programs- and sign up to help your business’ bookkeeping become EZ, and to support a good cause!

Jessica Routier, IAC-EZ