Last week to support YGSF Student in the MS Walk

Mandy Hagenaar will participate in the MS Walk this weekend

This coming weekend, long-time Yoga Garden student Mandy Hagenaar is walking in the MS Walk to support research and treatment development of multiple sclerosis.

This will be Mandy’s 5th MS Walk, and she is hoping to beat her goal of raising $1,000 to donate to this important cause.

Read Mandy’s letter to the community after the jump.

From Mandy:

Dear Friends,

On May 4th, thousands of San Franciscans will walk to bring the dream of conquering MS closer to reality. The money raised from this event will fund continuing research to discover the cause and cure for multiple sclerosis.

Equally important, it will help pay for a multitude of support services, right here in California, critical to those whose lives have been touched by MS.

More than 2.5 million people are affected by MS worldwide, about 400,000 in the US.

I was diagnosed with MS in 2000. MS is a disorder of the central nervous system wherein the immune system attacks the myelin sheath leading to degeneration of the white matter of the brain. The disease can be presented with many symptoms varying from incoordination, cognitive symptoms (“cog fog”) , difficulty speaking, movement disorders (spasticity), and other problems which can be debilitating. Yoga, with its emphasis on relaxation, breathing and deliberate movements, is a good choice of exercise for MS patients.

I took my first yoga class at Yoga Garden in September 2009, and I have increased from 3 times a week to daily yoga classes since 2013.  Yoga has improved my balance, muscle strength, and coordination a lot!

I will be participating in the San Francisco MS walk for the 5th time, and you can JOIN ME WITHOUT TAKING A STEP-you can SPONSOR MY TEAM with the name: MAGNIFICENTLY SEXY.

You can sponsor me online here, or you can leave a check or cash at Yoga Garden.

In the past years many of you have helped me reach my goal of raising over $1,000.

Will you please consider helping me again?

Your support, no matter what the amount, will benefit those people fighting the MS battle.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. As one of my sponsors, I will personally let you know how we do.

Sincerely,
Mandy Hagenaar