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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The Multiple Sclerosis Carnation Campaign raised more than $600 in May, Cruisin' for a Cause hits Yellowknife tomorrow and planning has started for an MS Walk in Yellowknife in 2013.

A driving force behind each of these fundraisers is Laurie McLean, a Yellowknife resident who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) 14 years ago and is determined to build a better support network for people with MS in Yellowknife.

When McLean took on the role of group facilitator for the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada earlier this year, her goal was to build an MS support group, called the "Yellowknife MS community group," and help Yellowknife better understand the disease.

The most recent MS community group meeting took place on Aug 16. Although only two people attended, four more passed on regrets that they were out of town for the meeting, said McLean. She said her current goal is to get 10 regular attendees to the meeting.

"I'll be there every meeting, even if I'm the only one," she said. "I'm committed."

McLean recently added a teleconferencing option for those who want to attend the meeting but are physically unable to attend or not emotionally ready to meet with the group in person. There is also a Facebook group with 147 members called "MS lives north of 60" where McLean and other members post information and event updates.

McLean plans to be stationed at A&W tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the fourth annual Cruisin' for a Cause to collect donations for the MS Society of Canada and to share information with Yellowknife residents whose lives have been touched by MS.

The restaurant also plans to feature in-house promotions for the day.

"Hopefully, people can come out and meet me," McLean said. "Maybe if they get a chance to meet me, to talk to me, it will help them decide if they'd like to trust an hour of time with me."

After tomorrow's event, McLean will be spearheading a committee to organize an MS Walk in Yellowknife in 2013.

"There's a lot to get that rolling," she said. "We want to make sure we're not going to interfere with other events because there are a lot of great causes in Yellowknife. We want to do it right and not hinder ourselves or anyone else."

McLean said anyone interested in getting involved or who wants more information on the community meetings can contact her or meet with her during Cruisin' for a Cause at A&W tomorrow.

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