RAMS raises funds, awareness

Philanthropic events hope to help those with multiple sclerosis.

By Maggie Nestor

Published Feb. 12, 2010

Rockin' Against Multiple Sclerosis has been active all month in the annual philanthropy, started in 1993, that helps raise money and awareness about multiple sclerosis in the community.

RAMS, comprised of 34 students, arranged philanthropy events that started Feb. 6 and continue until Feb. 19.

Groups participating are members of Greek Life, student organizations and committees arranged into interest teams. Teams compete in fundraising activities, such as Jail-N-Bail on Feb. 16 and Feb. 17, and the Rock-It lip-syncing and dancing competition Feb. 19 at The Blue Note. Last year RAMS raised more than $73,500 for the Columbia MS Institute and their goals are set high again this year.

"Last year we raised a ton of money and we hope to do the same again this year, even though it's a different economy," Tri-Director Cassie Batchelder said.

The overall goal of RAMS is not only to raise money but also to bring awareness about this condition to the community. Jesse Auditorium hosted a speaker Feb. 6, where people living with the disease spoke about their experiences and created awareness among students.

"It's one of those diseases you don't know a lot about, but you know you're always raising money for," freshman Colleen Wood said. "But a nurse explained to us about the disease and how it affects different people differently and then we heard from people living with disease and how it's a struggle that's made them stronger. Now when people mention, I have a clue what they're talking about."

More than 400,000 people in the United States suffer from MS, and there is no cure for it. It is also the most common disease of the central nervous system in young people. Raising awareness about these issues is a central theme of RAMS.

"Besides raising money, we do a lot of things to raise awareness in the community, because there are so many clients in the area who we help out with things like handicapped accessible vehicles and other aid," Batchelder said.

Another aspect of the RAMS program was the Service Day, which was originally scheduled for Feb. 6.

"It actually got cancelled, but the Steering Committee still went out and helped local MS patients," Steering Committee member Eric Rice said. "It was my favorite aspect so far, but I'm most looking forward to presenting the check to the MS foundation after the Rock-It competition."

The money raised goes to the Columbia MS institute and is used towards MS patients in the mid-Missouri area.

"One hundred percent of the money raised by RAMS goes directly to providing services for our clients in Mid-Missouri," said Deanna Harper, MS Institute service coordinator and RAMS adviser. "These services have a dramatic impact on their lives. Our clients are incredibly grateful for the generosity shown by the students at the university and the community as a whole."

RAMS sponsored a comedy night Thursday at Deja Vu and Rock-It prelims will be held Feb. 16 and Feb. 17 at The Blue Note, with finals held Feb. 19.