My name is Angela Sergio Cleary.  I have Multiple Sclerosis and I would like to introduce you to a project I call Flowers4MS.  I am originally from Italy, but I have been living in the United States for many years.  I was diagnosed in October of 2006 at the age of 33 and I had my first relapse 3 days after I was told I had MS.

While learning more about the disease through the National MS Society website, I was able to find out about the work being done at Johns Hopkins to find a cure for the rare neurological diseases that affect so many of us.

After learning about the scientists that work at Johns Hopkins, like Dr. Peter Calabresi and Dr. Douglas Kerr, I was deeply touched by their commitment and compassion in dealing with these diseases.  Learning about them and about their work, I felt inspired to help and to be a part of their world.  While my disease has been very active, and is not quite under control, I have been able to do my best in raising funds to support their research.

I started by writing a letter to tell my story to family and friends in May of 2007.  With the help of a special friend, in September 2007, I then created a project that I call Flowers4MS.  In April 2008, I launched a website called www.Flowers4MS.com, where I share my story and where I sell floral greeting cards.  I donate 100% of the proceeds to support the scientists engaged with Project RESTORE research.  Since its inception, and despite several MS relapses, I have raised over $17,000.

I view flowers as a symbol of hope, beauty and life and I feel they are the perfect representation of my dream, which is finding a cure for Multiple Sclerosis and for all the rare neurological diseases that are so similar to it.  During my research I have been touched by the stories of those afflicted with Transverse Myelitis and I feel that if we can unite our efforts, we can really make some headway in finding cures and treatments for all of us. 

I wanted to use something as beautiful and positive as flowers to overshadow the pain and suffering that these disorders can cause.  Flowers bring joy and beauty in very simple, but wonderful ways and they speak to everyone’s hearts through their beauty. 
For more information, please visit my site or email me at the address below.

You can also see my project on the Project RESTORE page of the Johns Hopkins website (www.hopkinsneuro.org/restore/) and on the Johns Hopkins Multiple Sclerosis home page at www.hopkinsneuro.org/ms/.

Thank you and take care,

Angela Cleary
angelusa73@aol.com
www.youtube/angelusa73