Despite a cold and rainy Friday, the staff at Scotia Bank managed to bring in $744 in its annual hot dog Multiple Sclerosis fundraiser barbecue.
The amount will be matched by the bank, bringing the total to $1,488. The money goes to the MS Society of Canada, which in turn adds it to the pot to help with research of the disease and the search for a cure, as well as client support.
The bank began the barbecue, and other fundraising events, to support Philippa Brysiuk an employee who suffers from the disease. Some days, she noted, are better than others, but she often finds herself needing to use a walker.
Though the disease is not hereditary, families in which MS appears tend to have a genetic predisposition for immune system diseases, where the immune system attacks the body. Brysiuk's grandson, for example, has Type I juvenile diabetes – the immune system has damaged and killed parts of his pancreas.
