303’s “Reppin the 719” gal Nicole Odell has a lot going for her these days. As the new Walk MS Specialist for the National MS Society Colorado-Wyoming Chapter, she will be focusing on building and maintaining relationships within communities around some of the Colorado Walk MS events primarily in Colorado Springs and Pueblo with involvement in other areas.
What does MS mean? It’s an abbreviation for multiple sclerosis (“many scars”). Approximately 1 in 500 people in Colorado have multiple sclerosis, including Nicole. Read more about her diagnosis here.
What is MS? It’s an unpredictable disease of the central nervous system, and there is no cure. With this disease, the insulating myelin sheath of nerve cells become damaged or even destroyed, interfering with nerve signals. The disease doesn’t discriminate in which part of the CNS it attacks, so symptoms are many and diverse across individuals, making it challenging to diagnose. The National MS Society works hard to fund research, provide education, patient support, and advocacy so that those living with MS can live their best lives. They are striving to help find that breakthrough so that there is a cure sooner than later!
The Society’s Mission:Â People affected by MS can live their best lives as we stop MS in its tracks, restore what has been lost and end MS forever.
What is Walk MS? It is a fundraising event for the National MS Society. There are 7 events in cities throughout Colorado (Pueblo, Denver, Grand Junction, Windsor, Boulder, Glenwood Springs, and Colorado Springs) and 6 locations in Wyoming. These events take place in April and May. No registration fee or a fundraising minimum, participants are encouraged to fundraise as much as they can. Many participants are on teams, and the more money the team raises the more recognition the team receives. Walk MS also provides the opportunity for patients with MS to come together in a celebratory and supportive environment.
Nicole’s Why. As a long-time active volunteer for the National MS Society she heard the position was available and found it was an opportunity to continue her service and be able to give back to the cause even more. Bottom line, she says she “would be able to impact more people and that seemed like a good thing.”
Will she keep coaching? Absolutely! NEO Endurance Sports & Fitness is not going anywhere! NEO athletes are out there doing great things in the endurance sport world, and she is very excited to continue supporting them in the 2017 season and beyond.
How can you learn more and/or get involved? The National MS Society website is a great resource with information about the disease, the latest research, and how the Society helps those impacted by this disease.
You can also check out the variety of events they hold…
- Bike MS (Nicole’s team and Team NEO’s Facebook Page) The Colorado ride takes place June 24-25, and the Wyoming ride August 12-13, 2017.
- Walk MS
- Hike MS
- Finish MS (a program where you can do any endurance event and fundraise!)
- Muckfest MSÂ
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