The National Multiple Sclerosis Society and Presenting Sponsor, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, hosted the 7th Annual On the Move Luncheon at the Ritz-Carlton Dallas on Friday, Nov. 8 from 11:30am-1:30 pm. The annual luncheon raised over $125,000 towards research and awareness for multiple sclerosis.
Seen in the Crowd: Eric Affeldt, Jennifer Chininis, Jessica Baldwin, Paula and Scott Burford, Walker and Jean Bateman, George Bramlett, Brooks Cullum, Patrick McEvoy, Patrick McEvoy III, Mac Wesson, Holt Wesson, Lynn Cowan, John Dale, Yasmeen Tadia, Jud Chapin, Sarah Palisi-Chapin, Claudia Pillow, Allison Brushaber, Diana Frid, Carla Rosenberg, Lorraine Rosenberg, Neil Goldberg, Jan and Pat Bolin, Chuck and Molly Hook, Vicki McLauchlan and Janie Robertson.
Serving as Honorary Chair for this year’s luncheon was Ms. Jennifer Chininis. Dallas native and University of Texas grad, Jennifer Chininis spent the better part of her media career at D Magazine. There she held every editorial position imaginable, including online editorial director. During her tenure in that position, she got a taste for the exciting, fast-paced world of online journalism and likely drove the development team crazy, asking questions to gain a better understanding of the technology. She continues to drive the development team crazy at CultureMap, where she is the Dallas editor-in-chief.
In addition to her passion for celebrating the city in which she lives, she also has a passion for raising awareness and funds for multiple sclerosis research. Her sister, Stephanie, was diagnosed with MS in 2001, and since then the two sisters and their family have participated in Walk MS, raising thousands of dollars to help find a cure.
She considers it a privilege to serve as honorary chair for this year’s On the Move Luncheon.
The 2013 On the Move Chairperson was Mr. Eric Affeldt. As President & CEO of ClubCorp, Eric is responsible for all aspects of domestic and international operations for “The World Leader in Private Clubs”. Prior to joining ClubCorp, Eric served as a principal of KSL Capital Partners, the private equity firm that purchased ClubCorp in 2006. Affeldt also previously served as president and CEO of KSL’s former golf division, KSL Fairways; vice president and general manager of Doral Golf Resort and Spa in Miami and the combined PGA West and La Quinta Resort and Club in California; and was a founding partner of KSL Recreation. In addition, Eric was president of General Aviation Holdings, Inc. He is currently an MDA Vice President and a member of the World Presidents Organization. He serves as Non-Executive Chairman for the Cedar Fair Entertainment Company (NYSE:FUN). In 2010 Eric was named the most powerful person in golf by Golf Inc. magazine and was a regional finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award. In 2013 Eric was awarded the prestigious Cecil B. Day Ethics Award by the Dedman School of Hospitality at Florida State University. Eric is the former manager of the Belgian National Baseball team. He holds a B.A. in Political Science and Religion from Claremont McKenna College.
This year’s Keynote Speaker was Hail Merry’s team to present on how to achieve higher health.
Dr. Claudia Pillow, Chief Nutritionist
Allison Brushaber, Chef & Food Scientist
Sarah Palisi Chapin, CEO
This year’s Honorary Chair Emeritus’ were Jean & Walker Bateman and Chair Emeritus’ Paula & Scott Burford. Novartis Pharmaceuticals presented the Person On the Move Award to Ms. Carla Rosenberg at the luncheon. Samantha Davies of NBC 5 served as our emcee as well as Kirk Dooley as our panel moderator. The Invocation was given by Jonathan Teague of Prestonwood Baptist Church.
Ms. Kristie Salerno Kent presented her story of living with multiple sclerosis.
Kristie was diagnosed with MS in 1999 shortly before marrying her high school sweetheart, Mike. She spent years in denial, using her theatre training to mask symptoms and pretend her declining health was not an issue. She took an office job and stopped pursuing a career as a performer. It wasn’t until she rediscovered her passion for music that Kristie found the courage to face MS.
After deciding to face her problems head on, Kristie recorded and produced her debut solo album, "Believe.” Writing the album was a source of inner strength for Kristie during her day-to-day struggles with MS. She also produced and directed “The Show Must Go On,” a short documentary designed to help others understand the emotional implications and physical symptoms associated with MS. Kristie has since fulfilled her biggest dream of becoming a parent. Her son Kingston was born in 2009 and her daughter Giabella was born in 2012. She has spent the last several years performing across the U.S. and hopes to inspire others living with MS to find the courage to continue following their own passions.
Kristie has just released her first book, “Dreams: My Journey with Multiple Sclerosis.” A free download is available at www.DreamsTheEbook.com. Kristie is a paid spokesperson for Acorda Therapeutics®, Inc.
Sponsors Included: CultureMap, FluffPop, Hail Merry, Mi Piaci, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Sarah Jean Photography and Society Life.
On the Move is a nationwide program created to raise funds and awareness for multiple sclerosis. Each year, On the Move luncheons bring men and women together to encourage people to give from the heart to support their family members, friends and colleagues whose lives are touched by MS and educate communities about multiple sclerosis.
For additional information about the luncheon, please visit onthemovetx.org or contact Shannon Nelson at 469-619-4704 or mail to TXMSLuncheon@nmss.org.
About Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis, an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system, interrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted, but advances in research and treatment are moving us closer to a world free of MS. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with at least two to three times more women than men being diagnosed with the disease. MS affects more than 2.3 million people worldwide.
About the National Multiple Sclerosis Society
MS stops people from moving. The National MS Society exists to make sure it doesn’t. The Society addresses the challenges of each person affected by MS by funding cutting-edge research, driving change through advocacy, facilitating professional education, collaborating with MS organizations around the world, and providing programs and services designed to help people with MS and their families move forward with their lives. In 2012 alone, the Society invested $43 million to support more than 350 new and ongoing research projects around the world while providing programs and services that assisted more than one million people. The Society is dedicated to achieving a world free of MS. Join the movement at nationalMSsociety.org.
Early and ongoing treatment with an FDA-approved therapy can make a difference for people with multiple sclerosis. Learn about your options by talking to your health care professional and contacting the National MS Society at nationalMSsociety.org or 1-800- 344-4867.
Photography provided by Sarah Jean Photography.
OTM1-Shannon Nelson, Jean Bateman, Walker Bateman, Taylor Mallia, Leah Weatherl
OTM2-Jennifer Chininis, Samantha Davies
OTM3-Leah Weatherl, Shannon Nelson, Eric Affeldt, Jennifer Chininis
OTM4-Kirk Dooley & Hail Merry
OTM5-Ritz Carlton Dallas Ballroom
OTM6-Jean Bateman, Walker Bateman, Paula Burford, Scott Burford
OTM7-Jennifer Chininis, Allison Brushaber, Claudia Pillow, Sarah Palisi-Chapin, Carla Rosenberg
OTM8-Ian Rosenberg, Lorraine Rosenberg
OTM9-Hail Merry Centerpiece
OTM10-Kristie Salerno Kent