ENDURANCE HORSE RIDER WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS DEDICATES HERSELF TO HER COMMUNITY

Alexandra North Will Compete in Swanton Pacific Race to Help Multiple Sclerosis Non-Profit Organization

CARMEL, CA (PRWEB) July 28, 2003 -- The Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life Project (MSQLP), a 501 (c) (3) Not-for-Profit Corporation whose mission is to serve multiple sclerosis patients in Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties, today announced that local endurance horse rider, multiple sclerosis patient and MSQLP spokeswoman, Alexandra North, will compete in the 21st Annual Swanton Pacific race in Davenport on August 9, 2003. By competing in the Swanton Pacific, Alexandra hopes to raise money for MSQLP and invites the community to sponsor her. Currently, MSQLP is seeking funding from corporate, community and individual philanthropists for the purpose of hiring a medical social worker who will serve ambulatory and home-bound multiple sclerosis patients in the tri-County area. Every member of the community who sponsors Alexandra in the Swanton Pacific will receive a keepsake, 8.5" x 11" digital, autographed photo of Alexandra and her Arabian Mare, Butter Bea.

Tax-deductible contributions can be mailed to: MSQLP, P.O. Box 223537, Carmel, California 93922-3537. Within one week after the race, autographed photos will be mailed to the addresses that appear on the checks, unless otherwise specified.

In May 2002, MSQLP released a Needs Assessment Survey for multiple sclerosis patients in the tri-County area," said Dr. Lotte Marcus, President and Chairman of MSQLP, Carmel psychologist, and recipient of the 2003 Spirit Award for her work with multiple sclerosis patients. The survey revealed that Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties are home to some 1,200 people suffering from multiple sclerosis. Most importantly, the survey indicated that whats important to people suffering from multiple sclerosis, whether theyve just been diagnosed or whether theyve lived with the disease for 20 years, is the little things. For instance: the flat tire on a wheelchair that, for whatever reason and despite repeated requests, has never gotten around to being repaired. The way a patient was 'dumped at the door of her house because the paratransit driver did not have the requisite insurance that would permit him to escort her inside. The doctor who, having fallen behind in his schedule, cant spare a few minutes to answer the questions a patient has waited three weeks to get the courage to ask. A trained medical social worker can successfully navigate through these road blocks, and improve the quality of life for people who suffer from multiple sclerosis."

"The Swanton Pacific is a great way for me and Butter Bea to keep in shape, especially with the Pan American Championships coming up in September 2003," said Alexandra. If my passion for horses and endurance riding also helps a vital community resource like MSQLP succeed, then thats an added bonus."

Dr. Marcus and Alexandra North welcome opportunities to speak to the tri-County community about multiple sclerosis. Please contact Judy Plummer, at (831) 335-4937 or jplummer@cruzio.com for more information, or to request an appearance.

Endurance ride horses receive the very best of care, with regular breaks for food, water, rest and veterinary checks. Races are governed by the AERC, which has developed rules and strict controls to ensure the health and welfare of the horses competing in endurance rides. The AERC sanctions more than 700 rides each year. To access Alexandras ride history, visit AERC online, at www.aerc.org. For more information about the Swanton Pacific race, visit http://members.cruzio.com/~bigcreekranch/.

About Alexandra North
An avid horsewoman since the age of eight, North started endurance riding in 1995, a few months before she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. In spite of unpredictable and sporadic symptoms, North continues to pursue her passion for riding because of the healing effects it provides. After learning about the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life Project (MSQLP), she now competes to raise funds for MSQLP. In 2002, North and her horse, Butter Bea, ranked fourth in the nation for miles raced, won the American Endurance Ride Conferences (AERC) coveted War Mare award, the Pioneer Award for the middleweight division, took first place in the West region Middleweight Division and the West Region overall. North recently completed a 100-mile ride to gain her Certificate of Capability that qualifies her to nominate for the September 2003 Pan American Endurance Championships, held in Washington State. Participation in the Pan American creates a possibility to be on the United States Equestrian Team that will go on to the World Endurance Cup held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates in December 2004. Formerly with Dunlap, Slade, Lubow in Carmel, North launched her own CPA practice in 1999 so she would have more flexibility to participate in endurance rides. Prior to Dunlap, Slade, Lubow, North was with Maryanov Madsen Gordon & Campbell in Palm Springs. North holds a BA in Journalism from Humboldt State University, Arcata, California, and received her certificate in Financial Accounting from National University in San Diego.

About Dr. Lotte Marcus
Dr. Lotte Marcus, President and Chairman of the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life Project, is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Carmel, California, and was a lecturer in the Department of Community Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Marcus has treated many clients with multiple sclerosis. She has also worked with multiple sclerosis clients at the rehabilitation facility, Transitions, in Gilroy, California. Dr. Marcus, with her husband Alan, is the author of Reflections on the Culture, Politics and Psychology of Multiple Sclerosis," as well as numerous publications on illness counseling. Under the auspices of the Silicon Valley Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and Multiple Sclerosis Community Services of Salinas, Dr. Marcus has made many presentations to multiple sclerosis to patients. She has also addressed physicians at the Community Hospital of the Monterey peninsula, at the University of California, San Francisco, and at Sutter Medical Center in Santa Rosa (formerly Santa Rosa Community hospital). On June 12, 2003, Dr. Marcus received The Spirit Award, presented by the Freedom To Live Foundation in Los Angeles, in recognition of her services.

About the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life Project
The Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life Project (MSQLP), in cooperation with the Silicon Valley Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, is a 501 (c) (3) Non-Profit Corporation dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with multiple sclerosis and their families in Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties. Based on the results of a Needs Assessment Survey released by MSQLP in 2002, there is a need for integrated, client-centered, care management plans to ensure that multiple sclerosis patients arent slipping through the cracks of the health care system. MSQLP is committed to fulfilling this need by hiring a medical social worker who will serve ambulatory and home-bound multiple sclerosis patients in the tri-County area to help them overcome the physical and/or emotional problems that have made life more difficult. For more information about MSQLP or to volunteer your time and talent, call MSQLP at: 831-457-7786.Tax-deductible contributions can be mailed to: MSQLP, P.O. Box 223537, Carmel, CA 93922-3537.