BY JENNIFER AMATO
Staff Writer
NORTH BRUNSWICK — For most people, a typical anniversary consists of dinner, wine and relaxation. For Rennie Rankin, her fifth anniversary will first be spent at the MS Walk.
Rankin, 32, a North Brunswick resident and Spanish teacher at Freehold High School, was diagnosed in June 2003 with multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic disease affecting the central nervous system.
One hundred and seventy of her students, colleagues, family members and friends are registered for the 7-mile walk on April 17 at the Errickson School in Freehold Township.
“This year it is especially important to me to have a supportive team and raise more money, as I have suffered an exacerbation since last year’s walk,” Rankin said.
The suspension of a promising drug also propels her to raise support.
“The drug Tysabri was suspended a few weeks ago because of two people’s adverse reactions to it. It is effective with lesions, one of which I have on my spinal cord. When it was suspended, it became more important to raise money,” she said.
Rankin formed a team in 2004 of 190 fund-raisers, 65 of whom participated in the walk.
“Last year was the first year since I was diagnosed. I chose to [walk] at school, so there would be a nice big group with my students. It had great results. There were a lot of people raising a lot of money,” she said.
There are expected to be about 400 people walking in Freehold, 10,000 in the state, and 200,000 nationally this year, according to Bonnie Bardinas, public relations consultant for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS).
This year, the Freehold team hopes to exceed last year’s total of $4,100.
“Every year I’d like to raise a little bit more than the last year. It’s important to have everyone involved,” said Rankin.
The NMSS looks to do the same.
“There is no set goal, but the Mid-Jersey Chapter is aiming to exceed the total raised last year, which was nearly $900,000. On a national level, the MS Walk raised $45 million,” Bardinas said.
Rankin has implemented different methods of fund raising at her school.
“We are selling paper sneakers and red wristbands of hope. The kids ask their families and friends for money. We held Denim Day for the teachers on a Friday; each teacher paid $5 to participate and received a ribbon of hope pin. We are trying to organize a ‘Borough Idol,’ ” she said.
Sixty cents of every dollar remains local, while the rest supports national research and programs, according to the NMMS. The money goes toward educational, physical health, emotional health, family support, accessibility and independent living, and employment services.
“Educational programs and services are based on the NMSS quality of life goals: knowledge, health and independence,” Bardinas said. “This promotes understanding and management of MS through the provision of accurate information about the disease and related issues.”
In March 2003, Rankin felt “pins and needles” in her fingertips. About three days later the sensation moved further up her arm.
“It was most obvious when it [affected] my whole left side,” Rankin said. “I couldn’t tie my shoes, button my shirt nor brush my hair. My husband went crazy looking online so he had an idea but wouldn’t tell me.”
Rankin said she is lucky because of her early detection.
“My MRI was pretty apparent, so I didn’t have to go through that many tests. Three months is a short time [for diagnosis]. I was floored. But I was relieved because in my head I was thinking I had a brain tumor or ALS,” she said.
Her MRI showed 20 lesions on her brain and she was diagnosed with MS on June 2. Rankin said every aspect of her life is affected.
“My fine-motor skills are not what they used to be. My typing is horrendous. I used to be a good typist — in my old life. And I have to wear shoes that don’t tie, but they’re very cute and very ‘in’ at the moment,” Rankin said.
“I have to plan life around my injections. Needles, nobody likes getting used to. But when I’m 50 years old, I don’t want to be in a wheelchair. I want to be walking, I want to travel,” she said.
Rankin credits her husband, Bruce, for keeping her strong.
“He is amazing; he is my best friend,” she said. “He didn’t let me go through anything alone. He took off from work to go to all of the important appointments with me.”
She also appreciates working.
“My job is great, [everyone is] very understanding. I can work full time and I can drive. I have to push through incredible fatigue all the time, so I sit more than I used to. I let the kids teach a review, I have a stool, and I am in my own classroom, so I don’t have to travel,” she said.
Through all of the changes, Rankin believes staying positive is the key.
“A positive outlook plays into the physical part. This was given to me as an opportunity to help other people learn about (MS). I get to teach people; that’s my job. I think it was something I always did. But now I’m not teaching just about Spanish, I’m preparing my students for life.”
Symptoms of MS include numbness, pain, blurred vision, spasticity and vertigo. It can lead to paralysis and blindness. MS affects 400,000 Americans and 2.5 million people worldwide between the ages of 20 and 50. Over 70 percent of the sufferers are women.
The MS Walk will be held at 19 locations throughout New Jersey. For more information, contact the Mid-Jersey Chapter of the National MS Society at (732) 660-1005.