MS Read-A-Thon: Read for a Future Without Multiple Sclerosis

The 31st edition of the MS Read-A-Thon is now under way! Invitations have already been sent out to elementary and secondary schools by the Quebec Division of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada. The activity encourages youngsters to discover new books while contributing to a worthy cause.

The MS Read-A-Thon has been launched officially, and schools that would like to participate can sign up now: all schools registered by November 21, 2008 could win one of three $300 gift certificates offered by Scholastic Canada. The event may be held in schools at any time between November 2008 and April 2009. The students at the participating schools read as many books as possible and raise pledges for each book they read within a two-week period.

For the fourth year, the Quebec Division of the MS Society can count on an English-speaking provincial spokesperson. Whynter Lamarre (member of the Silver Medal winning Canadian Women's Water Polo team in the 2006 Commonwealth Water Polo Championships) has agreed to be part of the MS Read-A-Thon, as this activity is both educational and humanitarian. "I encourage all the kids to sign up for the MS Read-A-Thon. That way, they'll get a chance to discover the exciting world of literature, while raising funds to contribute to a future without MS," says Whynter.

Last year's MS Read-A-Thon produced very good results: over 5,000 students at 86 schools read 34,000 books and raised more than $131,000. The funds will support research on multiple sclerosis (MS) and the services provided to the 13,000 to 18,000 people affected by MS and their families. This neurological disease mainly strikes people between the ages of 15 and 40, at exactly the time when they may be thinking of having a family or launching a career. Every day, three Canadians learn that they have MS, and every year, close to 50 children are diagnosed with the disease.

For more information, call 514-849-7591 or 1-800-268-7582 (toll-free) or visit http://www.msreadathon.ca/.