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National MultipleSclerosis SocietyGreater Illinois Chapter

2011ANNUAL REPORT

LIVING OUR VALUES

JOIN THE MOVEMENTMSillinois.org | 525 W. Monroe | Suite 900 | Chicago, IL 60661

Looking for more information about MS?Early and ongoing treatment with an FDA-approved therapy can make a difference for people with multiple sclerosis. Learn about your options by talking to your health care professional and contact the National MS Society at nationalMSsociety.org or 1-800-344-4867.

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We are leaders in the vision of a world free of MS. Through creativity and hard work, we accelerate the pace of scientific discovery, promote quality health care, stimulate community resources and services, advocate for favorable government policies, and are the world’s best source of information about multiple sclerosis.

At the Greater Illinois Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, we are living our values every day in our ongoing efforts to improve the lives of the 20,000 individuals and family members affected by MS across the state. From our Board of Trustees to our professional staff to the hundreds of Society volunteers and thousands of event participants, the Chapter as a whole is embracing the core values that define our organization – leadership, excellence, integrity, commitment and teamwork.

In this still-challenging economy, the Chapter has seen steady growth in our major fundraising and third-party events over the past year. A record 12,377 walkers participated in Walk MS 2011, which took place at 13 sites across Illinois. Celebrating its 30th year, Bike MS: Tour de Farms attracted cyclists from far and wide, nearly 2,200 in all, who raised over $1.4 million, both highs for the event. The annual Dinner of Champions gala, this year honoring McDonald’s CEO Jim Skinner, was attended by more than 500 community members at Chicago’s Navy Pier.

It has been a productive year for Programs and Services, beginning with Meeting the Challenges of MS: Providing Support through Problem Solving, a five-week workshop series created specifically for people caring for loved ones living with MS that debuted this past spring. Dozens of individuals newly diagnosed with MS were assisted through the Chapter’s Success with MS program, which delves into all aspects of living with the disease from talking to family and friends about MS to financial considerations for the future. Day-long wellness summits were launched at three statewide sites to help participants understand and learn about wellness with MS through research, nutrition and exercise. In addition, the Chapter extended its rural and Latino outreach to more individuals in underserved areas across the state, much in need of services and education about MS.

The Greater Illinois Chapter continues to be at the forefront of MS research. Thanks to significant grants from the National office, there were 17 ongoing MS research projects taking place at hospitals, clinics and medical practices across Illinois in 2011. Through a partnership with the Illinois State Lottery, our instant game ticket has provided additional grant dollars through the Illinois Multiple Sclerosis Research Fund, enabling researchers to continue their diligent efforts to develop preventive measures and treatment of MS throughout the state. Research symposiums in Chicago and Peoria brought together experts in the field of medicine to update those impacted by the disease with the latest news, information and trends in MS research.

As we move forward in our mission to mobilize people and resources to drive research for a cure, we are thankful that you have put your trust in the Greater Illinois Chapter and our Board of Trustees. It is truly a privilege to serve you and address the challenges of everyone affected by MS, and through tremendous community support we are moving ever closer to a world free of MS.

Sean Gallagher Greater Illinois Chapter

2012 Chairman

Annual Message 2011 – Living our Values

32011 Annual Report

John V. Blazek Greater Illinois Chapter

President

We advance the interests of people affected by multiple sclerosis through individual and team achievements. We recognize our volunteers and staff as our most valued resources. We encourage collaboration across organizational boundaries.

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■ We made a difference in the lives of over 200 Illinoisans living with MS through our Financial Assistance Program, providing nearly $156,000 to assist individuals with transportation to medical appointments and support groups, access to couseling services, purchase of durable medical equipment, home modifications, and participation in wellness activities such as aquatics classes.

■ Individual giving remained generous, with more than 340 people joining the Golden Circle individual giving campaign. This initiative celebrates the generosity of non-

event donors who give at least $1,000 to the chapter in a calendar year. Additionally, the chapter saw more than a dozen individuals join the Lawry Circle of donors who have promised a bequest through their will, trust or estate plan

■ Community events continued to provide important revenue to fund our programs and services. People like the Grieco family, who rally around their daughter Danielle by

hosting Fore-ward 4 a Cure, a golf/dinner/dancing outing continue to move forward in the search for a cure.

■ More than 1,800 volunteers donated their time to the Greater Illinois Chapter in FY2011 through involvement on the Board

of Trustees and governance committees, on-site at events, in the community as activists and MS Ambassadors and in the Chapter offices in Chicago and Peoria totaling 7,300 hours, which is equivalent to $166,400 as determined by the Independent Sector.

■ Several of Chicago’s most influential women leaders highlighted the fourth annual Women on the Move luncheon at the Ritz-Carlton Chicago last May, including

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. ABC7

Chicago Meteorologist Tracy Butler served as the event’s Mistress of Ceremonies and a keynote address was delivered by Maureen Manley, a former member of the U.S. Cycling Team and three-time participant in the Cycling World Championships, who has been living with MS for the past 20 years.

■ Multiple Solutions, the junior board of the Greater Illinois Chapter, comprised of young professionals dedicated to creating a world

free of MS by fostering awareness among young adults throughout Illinois, hosted two signature fundraising events, MS Slugfest,

a co-ed, 16-inch softball tournament and MS Soirée, a semi-formal cocktail event and auction, in addition to several other social events throughout the year, including the Multiple Solutions Pub Crawl.

52011 Annual Report

2011 Chapter Highlights

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We set high standards of performance and service delivery, and work toward excellence in everything we do.

■ The 33rd Annual Carol Cohn & Margie Weil Memorial MS Outing hosted by Chapter Board Member Joe Weil at Northmoor Country Club in Highland Park,

raised $460,000 for MS research, programs and services. More

than 400 attendees participated in the all-day event, which featured an 18-hole golf tournament, bridge and poker tournaments, silent auction and dinner program.

■ Volunteer MS activists and Chapter staff met with legislators in Washington, D.C., during the Society’s annual Public Policy Conference and in Springfield for MS Action Day. State capitol triumphs included passage of legislation enhancing the Hospital Licensing Act by ensuring patient safety, dignity, self-determination, and choice, in a safe patient handling policy that works to control the risk of injury to patients and healthcare workers associated with the lifting, transferring, repositioning or movement of a patient.

■ Through the continued generosity of Mrs. JoAnn Cantalupo, the chapter was able to send a group of young adults to camp

in Wisconsin for a week of outdoor adventure and camaraderie. The camp provides peer support in

the form of meeting others who also have experienced and understand the impact that MS can have on the family.

■ MS support groups led by a diversity of volunteer facilitators, more than 50 in all statewide, helped hundreds of individuals living with MS and their family members connect with others facing similar challenges related to MS, make new friends and build personal networks of support, and find information about MS-related resources available in their local community.

■ Free family day outings, hosted by the Chapter, to some of Illinois’ most exciting tourist attractions and venues have become extremely popular, including baseball games with the Peoria Chiefs and Kane County Cougars and the annual Family Day at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago.

■ More than 600 guests basked in the revelry of the ninth annual MS Carnivale in

Peoria. The Mardi Gras-themed celebration included food, musicians, entertainers, a raffle and silent auction all to benefit the Greater Illinois Chapter.

■ The Greater Illinois Chapter took over the United Center, home of the world-famous Chicago Bulls, on a Saturday morning last April for MS Half Court Classic. Eighteen teams participated in the annual co-ed, 4-on-4 half court charity basketball tournament, while others tried their luck and skill in the three-point shootout.

2011 Chapter Highlights

72011 Annual Report

Memorial MS Outing

33rd AnnualCarol Cohn & Margie Weil

MS Youth Camp Founding Sponsor

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We are passionate in our commitment to people affected by MS. We strive to improve quality of life while searching for the cure.

*All statistics are from Fiscal Year 2011 (October 1, 2010 to September 30, 2011)

Chapter Expenses■ Research: 18.06%

■ National Activities: 18.08%

■ Client Services: 19.96%

■ Community Services: 7.39%

■ Professional Education: 3.16%

■ Public Education: 9.96%

■ Fundraising: 17.96%

■ Management & General: 5.43%

TOTAL EXPENSES: $6,231,883

2011 Chapter Financials

92011 Annual Report

TOTAL REVENUE: $7,085,742

Research: $1,125,767

National Activities: $1,126,891

Client Services: $1,243,872

Community Services: $460,385

Professional Education: $196,986

Public Education: $620,586

Fundraising: $1,118,984

Management & General: $338,412

Special Events: $4,818,375

Membership & Contributions:

$1,099,775

Received from National: $178,045

Legacies: $958,874

Interest & Other: $30,673

■ Special Events: 68.00%

■ Membership & Contributions: 15.52%

■ Received from National: 2.51%

■ Legacies: 13.53%

■ Interest & Other: 0.43%

Chapter Revenue

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We are honest and straightforward in all that we do. We treat everyone with dignity and respect. We act responsibly with resources entrusted to us. We are accountable and act in accordance with these values.

Our MissionWe mobilize people and resources to drive research for a cure and to address the challenges of everyone affected by MS.

112011 Annual Report

2011 Chapter Board of Trustees

Kim Albin | Matt Andresen | Scott Buckley | Ellen Crawley | June Golin | Emily Greenberg

Maureen Howard | Angela Justice, Ph.D. | Anthony R. Karmin | James L. Katz | Peter Lies | David Perez

David Resnick | Michael Salvati | Gerald L. Shaheen | Steven Shapiro | Joe Siok | Kelly T. Smith

Thomas S. Souleles | Yolanda Treiguts | Mary Jo Viero | Joseph P. Weil | Jeffrey H. Wessel

Theresa DelVecchioCo-President

Jessica FreiburgCo-President

Alex GraceChair, MS Slugfest Committee

Natasha LauerChair, Finance Committee

Dan LauerChair, SponsorshipCommittee

Greg SheaChair, MembershipCommittee

Emily TuchschererChair, MS2 Soirée

Chad M. SmithChairman

Sean C. GallagherVice Chairman

Ronald A. BernsteinSecretaryChair, Audit Committee

Ian RodomskiChair, Finance & Investment Committee

Charles W. Connors, Sr.Chair, Governance Committee

John V. BlazekPresidentNational Multiple Sclerosis SocietyGreater Illinois Chapter

Theresa DelVecchio & Jessica FreiburgCo-PresidentsMultiple SolutionsGreater Illinois Chapter Junior Board

Howard Lipton, M.D.Chair, Research Advisory Committee

Amy Perrin-Ross, APRN, MSNCNRN, MSCNChair, Clinical Advisory Committee

Jeff WardChairman, Central Region Council

TRUSTEES

OFFICERS

MULTIPLE SOLUTIONS JUNIOR BOARD

EX OFFICIO

*Board of Trustees listed are from Fiscal Year 2011 (October 1, 2010 to September 30, 2011)

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National MultipleSclerosis SocietyGreater Illinois Chapter

2011ANNUAL REPORT

LIVING OUR VALUES

JOIN THE MOVEMENTMSillinois.org | 525 W. Monroe | Suite 900 | Chicago, IL 60661

Looking for more information about MS?Early and ongoing treatment with an FDA-approved therapy can make a difference for people with multiple sclerosis. Learn about your options by talking to your health care professional and contact the National MS Society at nationalMSsociety.org or 1-800-344-4867.