Assistance requests to MS Society in central Virginia double

From NBC 29-TV in Charlottesville, Va.:

Hard times in Central Virginia are putting an unexpected demand on one of the area's volunteer social service organizations. Officials from the Blue Ridge Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society say they've seen requests for assistance more than double in the past several months.

They have a policy to not turn any of patient away who need help. But as tough times rack up against expensive medical bills, directors at the Blue Ridge M.S. chapter say they're on their way to over-spending their budget.

Some of people helped by the chapter are struggling daily with the degenerative disease, and as the economy worsens it's taken over other parts of their lives. Director of Programs Darren Ball says, "The situation, a lot of it is very desperate. People are having to make really, really challenging decisions between gas, meals, and utilities versus medicine."

So patients are turning to the locally-based Blue Ridge chapter for financial help. President Fay Painter broke down their budget numbers:

"On an annual basis, we disperse in the realm of $50,000 a year for financial aid. If this trend continues, that it's quadrupling, we're going to need more like $200,000, which is money that we don't have to spend."

In just October and November of this year, the M.S. chapter has already given out $10,000 in financial aid. Most of that money isn't for medicine, Ball says. "We're seeing a big spike in requests for utilities, rent, support with groceries, those types of really critical needs," said Ball.

The M.S. Walk, and M.S. Bike Fundraiser don't fall until spring, so in the season and spirit of holiday giving the Blue Ridge Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society is reaching out for help.

Ball said, "It's not simply an illness that makes you feel bad. It's an illness that affects your ability to stay employed, impacts your relationship."

Painter added, "We are here to try to help people improve their quality of life."