Lauren Albert has always known that she wanted to help people in need and now she’s doing her part to end MS. Lauren’s inspiration to help others came from her mother. “I think that might have been my true inspiration,” says Lauren.
Lauren recently traveled to Tanzania, Africa to participate in an internship program that focuses on working with special needs children in the area. “I wanted to work hands-on with children and adults that truly need my help, love and support,” she explains.
In addition to working with those in need, Lauren decided to take on the challenging task of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in support of the endMS campaign. “The motivational factor for my climb is to raise money for a charity that is of great importance to me. My charity of choice is the MS Society of Canada. It is my hope that together we can come one step closer to finding the cure for MS.”
Lauren’s connection to MS is through her aunt Jani who lives with a disease that impacts 55,000 to 75,000 Canadians. Jani is a survivor having overcome leukemia as a child, then diagnosed with MS as a young adult. Despite these obstacles she remains strong. “Jani is optimistic and full of life. I have never heard her complain about a thing. She is so strong and I respect her for that,” says Lauren.
Lauren’s family is actively involved in fundraising towards ending MS. Her grandparents, Madelyn and Arthur Weingarden, along with her mother, uncle and other family members are participants in the RONA MS Bike Tour. Madelyn is a top fundraising participant who in 2008 raised over $42,000 in the RONA MS Bike Tour – Grand Bend to London. “They fight for her [Jani] and I will continue to do the same,” she says.
”Ending MS is going to take the collective efforts of many people,” says Ken Mayhew, Chief Development Officer for the MS Society of Canada. “So, I applaud Lauren for literally climbing mountains to help us in this fight. Lauren’s family should also be applauded for their long-standing commitment to end multiple sclerosis. Their example is one that I know inspires others and brings hope to many.”
Lauren is just over half way to reaching her fundraising goal of $10,018. Help her raise the rest by donating to her endMS Drive.
About the endMS.ca Drive
The endMS.ca Drive is a free, customizable online fundraising tool that anyone can set up and fundraise with. By creating your own endMS.ca Drive, you can leverage your network of friends, family and colleagues to raise money to help end MS.
Click here and support Lauren’s endMS Drive.
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