On June 2, 2010, Nicki Boudreaux, director of Student Publications heard the words, “You have MS.”

After fighting with the symptoms for many years, Boudreaux had suspicions that she had the disease, but hearing the diagnosis made it a reality.

Inspired by Boudreaux’s diagnosis with Multiple Sclerosis, Student Publications is joining together with other groups across campus to raise awareness about MS next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in the Student Union.

MS is an unpredictable disease of the central nervous system that affects 400,000 Americans and 2.5 million people worldwide. Every hour in the United States, someone is diagnosed with MS.

According to Adrienne Bourgeois, The Nicholls Worth’s advertising manager and public relations director, “The event is long over due.”

“There had been more and more people diagnosed with MS in this community and people need to be aware of the symptoms,” Bourgeois said.

MS interrupts the flow of information from the brain to the body and eventually stops movement of the muscles.  Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis.

“From the research I have done, the symptoms usually start in early adulthood, which is the college demographic. It is pivotal that we bring awareness to the campus,” Bourgeois said.

“Some students might be having MS symptoms, but are writing them off as results of college life.”

Although there is no cure for MS, advances in research and treatment are made possible through fundraisers and special events such as the National MS Walk, which will be held on March 26 in New Orleans.

“If we can help bring awareness to the Nicholls campus and raise money for the National MS Society, we would being killing two birds with one stone,” Bourgeois said.

“Of course, our motives are compelled by our love for Nicki, but MS is rapidly growing in the community and The Nicholls Worth sees this as a perfect opportunity to help raise awareness for a great cause.”

Next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, there will be a table set up in the Student Union with information regarding MS symptoms, treatments and ways that people can get involved in helping to find a cure for MS.

According to Bourgeois, the students of Student Publications are already wearing MS bracelets in support of Boudreaux.  

“We will be selling orange MS awareness bracelets on Monday, and all proceeds will benefit the National MS society,” Bourgeois said. “There will also be a sign-up sheet for people who are interested in joining Student Publications at the MS Walk in New Orleans.”

On Monday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Raising Canes in Thibodaux will donate 15 percent of their sales of those who mention National MS Society when they order.

Tuesday, students will have a chance to feel some of the MS symptoms through special simulations. Also, The Nicholls Worth will have a bake sale to raise money for the National MS society.

On Wednesday, there will be another bake sale with goods donated by various organizations across campus with proceeds benefiting the National MS society.

Come out to learn more and help raise awareness and find a cure for MS.