MS Fundraiser set for Sunday
An event is being held this weekend to raise funds for multiple sclerosis and to help some of those affected by the disease in Southwest Florida.
The Multiple Sclerosis Fundraiser will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Anthony’s on the Blvd, 1303 Del Prado Blvd.
Owner Tony Sarrago said he is happy to hold the fundraiser at his restaurant because he has a nice venue with indoor and outdoor seating.
“We have the space to do it here,” he said.
For the past six years, a multiple sclerosis support group has held its meetings at Anthony’s on a fairly regular basis. Sarrago said the wife of one of his employees has multiple sclerosis and some of his customers are faced with the disease as well.
Those were among some of the reasons he wanted to hold the community wide event.
Sarrago said although he is fortunate that multiple sclerosis has not affected anyone in his immediate family, he believes hosting the fundraiser is a great thing to do to help raise funds.
Tickets for the Multiple Sclerosis fundraiser are $12 a piece and include a buffet lunch.
Retro Road, which plays everything from the ’50s to the ’60s, as well as a few current tunes, will entertain the crowd and door prizes and a 50/50 raffle will be included in the festivities.
The door prizes include gift certificates to such restaurants as Mel’s Diner, Jim’s Coney Island and the Bubble Room. Other gift certificates include an oil change, free bowling games, a basket of hair products valued at $75 and $100 and a gift basket of wine and crackers.
Organizer Liz Henderson said she is holding the fundraiser again this year because she has multiple sclerosis.
“Medications are expensive,” she said. “The equipment required is expensive.”
Although Henderson began struggling full-time with MS for the last 20 years, she has dealt with the debilitating disease for the last 50. She said although symptoms are different for everybody, she began losing feeling in her arms and legs early on.
“All of a sudden I couldn’t stand up,” Henderson said. “I had no use of anything.”
She has severe scaring on the right side of her brain and has to wear braces to keep from falling. Multiple sclerosis has also affected Henderson’s hands and her eyesight, leaving her without peripheral vision or depth perception.
“I have progressive multiple sclerosis,” she said. “I don’t go into remission. Mine is controlled by a very expensive needle.”
Although Henderson battles with multiple sclerosis, she decided to bring some awareness to the disease and raise funds that will stay in Southwest Florida.
“I don’t feel multiple sclerosis is brought to the forefront as much,” she said. “You don’t have to look sick to have a debilitating disease.”
Henderson hopes to double what they raised last year, which was $1,800. She said last year they fed more than 200 people during the fundraiser.
Those interested in purchasing tickets can call Henderson at (239) 699-1032 or stop by Anthony’s. Tickets will also be available the day of the event.