THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (May 22, 2013) — AskPatty.com Inc., an online automotive information resource for women, has partnered with the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society to raise funds and awareness for multiple sclerosis.
The company's month-long MOMS (Moms Overcome Multiple Sclerosis) campaign will use social media to raise awareness for the disease. AskPatty.com will host a special Twitter party May 29 (World MS Day) at 5 p.m. EDT and will have an assortment of guests on-hand to educate participants about the illness.
MS is an unpredictable and often disabling disease of the central nervous system, which interrupts the flow of information within the brain and between the brain and body, according to AskPatty.com. Symptoms can range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis.
MS is an illness that has affected AskPatty.com CEO Jody DeVere's family personally, the company said. Her 40-year-old son has been fighting the disease since 2002, while her 37-year-old daughter was diagnosed recently with it as well. Ms. DeVere said the gravity of the disease is sometimes overwhelming.
"I would trade places with my children in a heartbeat," Ms. DeVere said. "However, since that's not possible, I will fight to find every resource to help them and help fund research to find better treatments and hopefully one day a cure."
The company has also created an official MOMS donation page. Those who prefer to mail contributions can send checks to the National MS Society, Southern California & Nevada Chapter, 2440 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Suite 115, Los Angeles, Calif. 90064.
In response to the campaign, Merrimack, N.H.-based automotive business solutions provider ASA Automotive Systems L.L.C. has challenged its employees to contribute to the charity and will match their total donations.
"We've been enjoying a great business relationship with Jody and AskPatty.com for some time now," said ASA President Kenneth Halle. "It's only natural that a friendship develops there as well, and when I heard her story I knew ASA had to help. There was no question."