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I am consumed once again with one of my favorite news series. For the third year in a row, I am proud to bring you a four part series on the lives of those here in our area affected by Multiple Sclerosis and the research being done to improve treatments and hopefully find a cure.
It is unbelievable how many stories are out there and it is always so hard to choose which to develop for this July series. All of the stories air during our 10pm newscast. Once they air, I will link the video clip to this blog.
Here is a quick synopsis:
July 10: Turning a dream into a reality. A woman is diagnosed with MS and her favorite pastime is almost stolen from her. Instead of giving in, she decides to fight back. It’s an inspiring story of perseverance. http://www.nbc15.com/home/headlines/24405334.html
July 17: Can drinking worm eggs treat MS? A look at a UW study that hopes to improve the devastating symptoms of the disease. http://www.nbc15.com/home/headlines/25601344.html
July 24: A story of hope. A woman is diagnosed with 47 lesions. She immediately gets on an MS drug and now a year later, she witnesses an amazing turn of events. This story will make you believe that anything is possible. http://www.nbc15.com/home/headlines/25881119.html
July 31: An unbelievable feat in the name of MS! An area man is taking on 3 ironman triathlons to raise money for the National MS Society. Plus, he has a personal connection to the disease. We’ll explain and follow him as he pumps up for IM Wisconsin.
Check the stories out and let me know what you think!
I’d especially like to know whether you enjoy watching longer, feature stories. We regularly have the discussion in the newsroom on breaking news vs. hard news vs. feature reporting. Which deserves the most time? Which do you prefer? Would you like to see more of something? I pull hard every year for this series and some of the other feature series I do because I believe we need a little break from all of the doom and gloom. What do you think? I’d like to hear your thoughts!
As in the past, this series runs in conjunction with the lead in to the MS 150 Best Dam Bike Tour, which is a two day trek from
And, if you have any suggestions for next year’s series, please send them my way! I keep a folder year round and would love to add any and all story ideas. There is always more we can do to fight for a world free of MS.
Leigh =) |
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Posted by: mb Location: Madison
My spouse was diagnosed 18 years ago with MS. Will you run any stories on MS Caregiver Support available in the Madison area? Caregivers can get to be very stressed out and can use some support especially when family members don't help. Thank you for this report. Posted by: SK Great job- found the series very informative. I have a family member and know many others with MS. I taped the show and will share with them. Nice to see all 4 shows. They each had a positive perspective and HOPE for the future. Posted by: Jessica Location: Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin I was extremely pleased with your story on Paul and Judy Stich surrounding the MS awareness. This is a disease that needs to find a cure, and Paul is taking on a huge challenge to raise money for the cause! I think you did a great job bringing it to everyone's attention. Again, great story and wonderful and amazing couple! Posted by: Duane Location: Middleton Hard news please. World, national, local. Cut the fluff. Posted by: Connie Hartje Location: LaValle, WI I enjoyed your weekly assignments regarding MS. I was especially interested in the one about 3 weeks ago with the testing with worms. Could you please send me the link? It is no longer on the news links. I thought all of the presentations were very interesting & gave ideas for anyone dealing with MS. The worm segment really intrigued me & I would like to call for additional information. Receiving ideas to follow up on is great. Thanks for the segments & the ideas & inspiration. Posted by: Lynn Location: Madison Leigh, you outdid even yourself with this one. You captured the essence of Shauna and the HOPE that carries her thru. Posted by: Jennifer Location: Rainbow City, Alabama I have MS. A friend of mine is in your city today with business and happened to see your segment on Shawna and called me. I am VERY, VERY curious to know which drug she is taking. Please email me the drug name that she is taking. Thank you for doing this segment! I along with so many others need reminders that we ALL have hope! Jennifer Elliott, Rainbow City, AL mrijennifer@aol.com Posted by: Leigh Location: NBC 15 To answer your question on the HINT (worm egg) study, contact Andrea Maser. She is the research specialist and program manager for the Office of Clinical Trials at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health. Her number is (608) 265-6544. Her pager number is (608) 265-7000 x5553. Remember, you must have been diagnosed with MS in the last two years and you cannot be on an MS specific medication to participate in the trial. If you have more questions, please ask! Posted by: Anonymous I need more info on MS study-have MS would like to partake in the study, send name and numbers of who to contact, thank you. Posted by: Karen Location: Waunakee I really enjoy the special feature segments. I think that they are very interesting and make the newscast even better to watch. I like that you moved this segment to the 10:00 broadcast. Thank you so much for all you do to bring awareness to multiple sclerosis. The good, the bad, the research, the hope.... It is all part of this disease we call MS. I'm so glad that you Joined the Movement!!! Posted by: Kathi Location: Stoughton I like to have both. We Need to have the breaking news that may effect our lives in an urgent way. But that news is often depressing and scary. Whereas stories like the one you are doing on MS are enlightening and give us hope! Posted by: Gary Location: Deerfield I liked it. When you read about MS and the symptoms, it doesn't really set in the same as hearing/seeing someone's story. This helped me understand how MS effects people's lives. The big headline stories are fine, but sometimes you need to slow down and spend a little time getting in depth with something/someone in Wisconsin. Whatever helps get the word out on MS. Great job! Posted by: Caissa Location: Milwaukee Hi Leigh-I think that there should be, if possible, the same time allotted for both breaking/the day's news and feature stories. Even though I'm studying to be an anchor myself, so I don't really mind the "doom and gloom," I do enjoy seeing the optimism that feature stories like yours have. (though the worm eggs thing seems kinda gross...) I agree with Carol-keep pushing for the feature stories; it's an inspiration to see anchors that put their heart and soul into feature stories because they want to, not because they have to. =) Posted by: Sara Location: Mazomanie We enjoyed the story last night.Your series is so imformative and enlightening. Keep it up! I have an AFO also and try to use it if I'm walking more than a mile. I'm so glad we are riding together on the Sonic Streamers again this year. We now have a recumbent tandem! And we have our own website HelpMeFindaCure.com! Posted by: Cynthia Location: Beloit Chemo - in this case, Cytoxan - sometimes helps with MS because it suppresses the immune system. MS is an auto-immune disorder in which the body's own defenses attack nerves in the brain and spinal cord. Although it is not one of the first-line treatments, many individuals - myself included - have found it helpful in reducing exacerbations and slowing disease progressionn when the more standard disease-modifying medications aren't effective. Posted by: Dan Location: Madison, WI Like Greg, I am mostly interested in the current "state of the cure". Don't get me wrong, I am VERY sympathetic to the folks that endure MS, but I want to know how scientists and medical folks are battling this disease and where we are on the road to a cure. The mention of chemotherapy in the first segment left me wondering how chemotherapy helps someone with MS. Go Sonic Streamers! Posted by: ralphing Location: madison *yawn* Posted by: Greg Location: Madison Feature stories can be good, but they must be about something concrete. Men such as myself might get a little turned off by stories that may be important, but presented with an overabundance of emotion. It appears to be patronizing. For example, your 4-part series looks like it focuses on people with hardships I couldn’t possibly imagine. Yet the most interesting part for me is without question the second segment where you hopefully look at the hard science and possibly SOLUTIONS to curing MS. It’s a hard news look at what some might consider a “soft story”. If you want a good example of what makes an interesting feature story, look no further than PBS. Shows like Frontline are fascinating and present a lot of information without the fluff. Posted by: Carol Location: Madison, WI Good morning! Just a quick note- I think there is room for both - fast/breaking news and a feature or two... Fast or breaking news is a different animal and this kind of news can be found on more mediums than a feature can be. People can get news sound bites on the radio, internet or from the paper, but I like to watch a feature on TV. Keep pushing for them - and pedal on! Carol Posted by: Christin Location: Baraboo I, of course, love this feature! (I'm so biased! ;) Dr. Fleming is MY neuro, I believe he walks on water. His research is incredibly exciting, and it makes me proud to know that monies raised by the MS 150 and the MS Walk have funded this. Looking forward to this year's series! See ya on the road! Posted by: Mike Location: Madison Leigh- I love the features! perhaps the station would consider dedicating more time to them at like 4 & 6, and drop a segment like sports, since they could be shown at 5 & 10? Besides, w/ so much information exchange capability on the web, the features, & sports wouldn't have to compete for time. Why not have a phone number @ the station for sports hotline scores, events for that day/ eve, that week, & standings/ rev. of prev. eve hilites? You know, an audio reading, with a repeat, fast forward, etc. For ideas for next yr. how about showing advances in technology to assist those who aren't so successful in beating the disease, but can use adaptive tech to minimalize the impact on independence. Blind people use software for computers to hear what is on screen, etc. Are there tech. for people with MS to help maintain indepence? Personally, I can think of 2-3 people to ask about adaptive tech here in Madison, 2 at the UW. just email me if you need leads. Posted by: Kelli Location: Madison, WI I'm so glad to hear your story on this subject! |
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