Why Monthly Giving Matters: A Couple’s Story of Lasting Impact

When Tom and Jan’s daughter, Andrea, was diagnosed with MS at the age of 27, their world shifted. The symptoms – sudden numbness in her face, unexpected bleeding – were as confusing as they were frightening. Even with Jan’s background in nursing, MS wasn’t on their radar. But the diagnosis came, and with it, a flood of uncertainty, fear, and perseverance. 

For Tom, it was one of the worst days of his life. “I envisioned her in a wheelchair,” he says, recalling the pain of watching a dear friend struggle from MS decades earlier. But Andrea’s story would be different. 

Thanks to the advancements in MS research and care, Andrea received a level of support and treatment her parents never imagined possible. From injectable therapies to today's oral medications, her journey has been one of progress and hope. Alongside compassionate care came uplifting words from her specialist: “Don’t let MS rob you of your dreams.” Andrea didn’t. She got married, had three children, is thriving in her career, and continues to live a full and vibrant life, “something that would not have been possible without the strides made in MS research,” Tom says. 

For Tom and Jan, giving monthly to MS Canada is about more than just convenience—though it’s that too. “It fits our budget a bit better and helps us stay consistent in our support,” says Jan. But more importantly, it's about making an ongoing impact and a steady commitment that fuels important research, education, and support services for people living with MS and their loved ones.  

“We don’t want anyone else to go through what we did,” they explain. “And if they do, we want them to have access to the kind of help and hope that Andrea had, our monthly donation helps make that kind of support available to someone else’s child,” says Jan. 

For Tom and Jan, monthly giving is part of a larger belief of leaving a positive imprint on the world. “We all want to leave a thumbprint,” Tom says. “Giving monthly allows us to do that in a way that’s sustainable. It’s not about big sums, it’s about being part of something bigger, every month, consistently.” 

It’s also a way of staying hopeful. Tom, who once sat on MS Canada’s Ontario board, is optimistic about the future of MS research. “I believe in the power of global collaboration, especially with the rise of artificial intelligence. I think we’re getting closer every day.” Jan agrees. “A world free of MS would feel like a miracle. But miracles happen because of science, research, and the people who believe in them enough to support them.” 

Tom and Jan’s story is a powerful reminder that behind every diagnosis is a family, a future, and a fight for something better. Their monthly gifts are acts of love, not just for Andrea, but for others living with MS, and for the future. 

If you’ve ever wondered whether monthly giving makes a difference, let Tom and Jan reassure you: it really does. “Just give what you can, and know it makes a lasting impact,” Jan says.