Ms Readathon

For today’s Talk about Tuesday I thought I’d talk about the MS Readathon and why I decided to do it. The Ms Readathon raises money for people who have Multiple Sclerosis an unpredictable and mysterious disease of the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord)
Our central nervous system contains nerve fibres that help send information to and from different parts of our body. A substance called myelin coats the nerve fibres, like insulation around an electric cable.
The healthy body's immune system normally defends the body from attack by viruses or bacteria. However, in the case of MS, the body's immune system attacks its own myelin, causing disruption to messages being sent to and from the brain.
The myelin becomes scarred and the damaged areas are called "sclerosis". As they appear in "multiple" places within the central nervous system, the disease is called Multiple Sclerosis.
Some facts about MS:
• MS affects over 16,000 Australians and more than 2,500,000 people around the world, and is most common in young adults.
• It's usually diagnosed between 20 and 50 years of age.
• Almost three times as many women as men have MS.
• It is more common in cooler climates.
• MS is not contagious.
• Symptoms can be mild or severe and come and go unpredictably.
• It affects each person differently.
• The cause and cure of MS is unknown.
How the MS Readathon works

The MS Readathon is organised by MS Australia. Now in its 30th year, the MS Readathon is Australia’s principal literacy and fundraising program.
The MS Readathon encourages children to improve their reading skills, as well as teaching them the value of giving to others, by supporting Australians living with MS.
Last year more than 46,000 Australian kids joined in the fun by reading more than one million books and raising over $3.5 million.


Getting started
Simply register your child for the 2009 MS Readathon and get them ‘reading for a reason’. Once your child is registered we will send a Starter Pack in the mail containing all the information needed to have a successful MS Readathon.
Your child can then approach family and friends for sponsorship support that can be either a flat donation or sponsorship for the number of books, and amount of time, they read in the month of June.
Kids can read books, magazines, newspapers and website content of their choice. They can also count books that they read for school, making the classroom a very rewarding experience.
Every child who completes the MS Readathon receives a certificate and reading rewards to say ‘thank you’ for their role in changing the lives of Australians living with Multiple Sclerosis.

I did the MS Readathon almost every year while at school and this year I realised adults can do the readathon too. MS is a disease that I feel needs more research into and I am happy to do anything that I can to help people with MS have a better life. Plus anything that allows me to embrace my love of reading is a good thing as far as I’m concerned.

So far I’ve read for 151 hours and read 22 books. I’ve only raised $30 dollars so far and am hoping to read and raise a lot more. If anyone is able to sponsor me please click here.