‘It makes me so happy’: Weekend fundraisers raise $17.5k for research into MS

This article has been amended to include a fundraiser at KJA ventures happening on May 30th, MS Awareness Day. Energeticcity.ca is happy to set the record straight.

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Residents came from around Fort St. John to raise $17.5k for research into a chronic disease, and one local resident couldn’t have been happier.

There were 50/50 draws and a silent auction at the Canadian Brewhouse on Saturday, May 24th and an MS awareness walk on May 25th, all in aid of MS Canada.

Items up for sale in the silent auction included various packages and items from community donors from both Fort St. John and Dawson Creek.

An online auction was also held, with smaller items throughout the weekend.

Organizer Sherri Mytopher is an ambassador for MS Canada, a non-profit founded to bring awareness and raise funds for research into multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system.

Over 90,000 Canadians suffer from the disease, for which there is no cure. Mytopher was first diagnosed back in 2013 and began holding fundraisers in 2017.

“I think there were 167 items donated,” said Mytopher. “We have gift cards, gift baskets, we have barbecues. We have it if you were looking for it.

“It just makes me so happy. I’m glad that I have the support of the community with MS fundraising. It shows the MS community that we’re raising awareness and we are advocating and educating, and that’s what it’s all about.”

Mytopher says she plans the event as early as January. The inaugural event was held at local establishment Casey’s in 2017, but the first one held at the Brewhouse was in 2022.

The event was packed with supporters throughout the dining room, and Brewhouse general manager Kelsey Hasler called the event “exciting.”

She added that the restaurant had raised an additional amount toward MS throughout sales during the month of March as part of its Shamrocks for MS campaign.

“This is my first event here,” said Hasler. “One of our core values with the Canadian Brewhouse is to support your community. This is an amazing way that we can do that.”

On Sunday Morning, the Pomeroy Sports Centre took centre stage for the MS awareness walk.  This was the first such walk since 2018.

Mayor Lilia Hansen and city councillor Sarah MacDougall walked with the small group as it went from the Pomeroy Sports Centre, north along 93rd Avenue, east up 100th Street, west on 95th Avenue and then returned.

“We have been a partner for multiple years,” said Hansen. “I have to give credit to Sherri for her incredible work in bringing this issue to the community [and] getting them involved. It’s important that we work together.”

Mytopher, who has advocated for the recognition of MS Awareness Month around the Peace region, says the final totals will come from additional drives, including those at local restaurants the Olive Tree Mediterranean Grill and Audielicious, and a fundraising barbecue on May 30th at KJA Ventures at a later date.