Granby Resident Raising Funds for a Cure

On Sunday, April 10, residents from across the region will join the 2011 Travelers Walk MS event in Simsbury to raise money and awareness for Multiple Sclerosis research, and one Granby resident is making strides of her own in the fight for a cure.

When Lee-Anna Woodhouse was just 17 years old, she was diagnosed with the autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis.  Woodhouse, now 21, said her life was forever changed — although you wouldn't know it by looking at her.

Woodhouse, a bright and energetic young accounting student, keeps a busy schedule.  She also doesn't show any of the recognizable symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis.  This wasn't always the case.

During her senior year at Granby Memorial High School, Woodhouse began having troubles with her vision that progressed rapidly.

"I went completely blind within a week," she said.

Doctors immediately put her on steroids in an attempt to reverse the symptoms.  After two weeks her vision had returned.  The frightened teenager was extremely lucky to recover from a symptom of multiple sclerosis.  Many people who have the disease do not.

"I put everything on hold and I didn't apply to college because of it," Woodhouse said.

"At times I felt like my life stopped before it had even begun, I had to change my whole life," she said.  " I couldn't work on Sundays, I couldn't go out on Saturday nights."

Each Saturday, Woodhouse is given an injection of a medication that has helped her live without any visible symptoms of the disease.  The medication, however, causes its own set of problems.  Flu-like symptoms, aches and fatigue follow each week's shot.

She considers herself lucky, however, and knowing the situation is much worse for so many makes her even more committed to doing her part to help find a cure.

"I get really excited because I'm walking for myself and I have so much support, but I'm also walking for everyone else," she said.

Woodhouse will take a team of 15 under the title "Team LA" to the 2011 Travelers Walk MS event on Sunday. This will be her fourth year participating in the walk and her most successful year for fundraising.

"Last year we got to $850 and I thought we may as well push it," Woodhouse said.  This year she hopes to raise $1,000 and she's almost there.  She has raised approximately $800 so far,  including $400 that was raised through online donations.

Former coworkers from an internship Woodhouse had at KPMG, an accounting firm, contributed $310.  With just two days left until the walk, she feels confident she'll hit her goal.

"I know I can still reach it, I know for sure," she said.

If you'd like to help Lee-Anna reach her goal, or beat it, you can contribute here. For more information about the 2011 Travelers Walk MS event in Simsbury visit the National MS Society website.