Gym owner donates $800 for MS
Jason Pyles, the owner of JP's Gym, 4245 S. Lincoln Road, organizes qualifying meets for the North American Strongman Incorporated competitions and lift up to 700 pounds.
He can now add "proud donor" to his resumé.
Pyles, along with sponsors including Graff Chevrolet, 4580 E. Pickard Road, are donating $800 of their recent event's proceeds to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Sixty percent of their donation is going to the society's Michigan chapter.
Pyles works with area residents who have multiple sclerosis at his gym and helps them with rehabilitative exercises. It was because of this, he said, that he decided to donate.
"Multiple sclerosis is a pretty devastating, crippling disease," Pyles said. "(The society) is an overlooked organization."
Pyles decided to donate funds prior to the competition because of a desire to help out the community, he said.
Cathy Zuker, an area resident who has multiple sclerosis, said Pyles has been working with her at his gym for about two years.
"I joined Jason's gym (to keep my) body flexible," she said.
Zuker is the co-leader of a support group for multiple sclerosis in Isabella County, and said she estimates more than 100 residents have the disease. Family and friends of multiple sclerosis patients are also affected, she said.
The support group meets once monthly, discusses an array of issues related to the disease and sometimes brings in speakers, Zuker said. The group is close, she said.
"We share phone numbers and call each other between times if we need to," she said. "I have learned a lot of things (from the meetings) a lot of the time, too."
Although the money will not directly affect Isabella County's support group, it will provide funding for support programs, public education, research and other outreach programs through the society.
Multiple sclerosis is a neurological disease that affects a person's central nervous system.
"(Multiple sclerosis) is the most common neurological disease in the world," said Elana Sullivan, the president of the Michigan chapter of the society.
Symptoms of the disease include to troubles with balance and vision, cognitive memory issues and physical pain, Sullivan said.
"Symptoms are completely different from person to person," she said.
More than 18,000 people in the state of Michigan have multiple sclerosis, Sullivan said.
Forty percent of every dollar earned in each chapter goes to the national chapter for funding research to find the cause and cure of multiple sclerosis, Sullivan said.
Local and statewide programs include self-help groups, educational programs and direct financial assistance, she said.
Patients facing expensive medications and other bills are reasons why Pyles decided to donate to the society.
"Funding is tough," he said.
The $800 raised came from the support of sponsors, food sales, the entry fee and other miscellaneous sales, Pyles said.
Residents interested in learning more about the Isabella County multiple sclerosis support group may contact Zuker at (989) 866-2682.
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