By MaryHelen Swanson

The following letter and daughter’s statement touched my heart this week and as Mother’s Day approaches, I felt compelled to make special note of this opportunity to reach out to a neighbor.

This is especially touching because this is not about some person in the Cities or another state or country, it’s about one of our own. And it’s about people facing a difficult future without the advances that science, with funding, can bring about.

You may be thinking about sending Mom some flowers next Sunday, or buying her a new scarf or handbag. Or maybe you’re going to take her out to dinner, all wonderful ideas and much appreciated by the mothers of the world. But perhaps you could consider a donation in her name to a good cause and this certainly is a good cause.

The love that is present as a daughter organizes a walk in honor of her mother is so beautiful and meaningful when one considers that a bouquet of flowers fades, and Mother’s Day knick knacks often end up on garage sale tables.

Please consider what you read here and if you desire to make a difference, act quickly as donations must be turned in by Friday.

TO THE EDITOR;

Our daughter Jennifer has organized a walk for MS in honor of me (Cheryl) and also Phil’s twin aunts and Jennifer’s husband Brian’s cousin who are all struggling with MS. Our walk will take place Sunday, May 4 at Minnehaha Park.

Please help us make a donation to sponsor our team. All money will go to the MS Society for research to help find a cure. The MS Society has been good to me about getting information available to people with MS. This year they have helped me with the cost of injections to help make it more comfortable to me. Last year I went without them as we could not afford the cost.

All donations need to be turned in by Friday, May 2. Donations can also be made online.

Thank you to all of you. We appreciate  your support.

The family of Cheryl Smith



Makes checks payable to: The National MS Society
Send or give checks to: Phil & Cheryl Smith
Smith Carpet & Decorating
North Branch
Home address is: 38300 Golf Ave. North Branch, MN 55056
(651) 674-4959 (store)
651) 674-8120 (home)



Why I Walk
By Jennifer Barie

As many of you already know, my mom, Cheryl Smith has MS. My mom was 46 years old when she was diagnosed. I will never forget the day my mom said to me, “I have MS.” As soon as I heard those words both my mom and I burst into tears. We were both so scared. We knew that MS was a progressive disease and that there was no cure. The unknown of what was going to happen to my mom was unbearable. My mom continues today to battle her fight against MS. She has been on several different medications to help slow the progression of the disease, but due to the astronomical cost ($2,000/month) she was unable to take them for a long time. She has just recently resumed taking Interferon injections thanks to the assistance of MS Lifeline, but again this is no cure. I hope that one day these medications will be made more affordable and ultimately I hope that one day no one will ever have to hear the words “I have MS.” Please make a donation and help in the fight against MS. Thanks.

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