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Channing Barker presenting Dr. Morse with the 2017 MS Hope Award

 

A beautiful evening at Sassafras Springs Vineyard greeted attendees of A Vintage Affair for MS on Friday, March 31, 2017. The sold out event was co-chaired by Dr. Vanessa Hardin Branch and Dr. Drake Branch and honored Dr. Michael Morse. The event hosted 163 guests, and raised upwards of $53,000 in donations that night, which will provide funds for MS research projects worldwide, educational programs and services for those living with MS and their families, financial assistance, and scholarships for those living with MS and their children.

 

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Dr. Vanessa Branch and Dr. Drake Branch with Brent Patterson

A live auction and a jewelry pull, on a large deck overlooking a beautiful vista at sunset, kicked off the evening. Guests enjoyed live music, a photo booth, a wine flight from Sassafras, dinner by KFB events, jewelry pull by Kendra Scott, and multiple silent and live auction items from local donors around Northwest Arkansas.

 

Dr. Drake Branch welcomed attendees and Dr. Vanessa Branch thanked the volunteers and MS Society staff before presenting a video that provided hope and inspiration. Teri Naylor, an MS survivor, honored her late husband in her featured speech, The Heart of a Caregiver

 

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Teri Naylor with Dr. Morse

Channing Barker presented Dr. Morse with the 2017 MS Hope Award for his 30 years of serving patients with Multiple Sclerosis. Channing shared quotes from the staff at Neurological Associates, including one from Donna Tomlinson: “Dr. Morse escorts each [patient] to the checkout.”

 

In his acceptance speech, Dr. Morse talked about the history of diagnosing and treating MS and the improvements that had been made since the 1970s. Dr. Morse ended his speech by thanking his patients for trusting him with their care, “To my patients who are here tonight, I want to thank you for allowing me to take care of you.”

 

Learn more about the Multiple Sclerosis Society here.

*pictures courtesy of the National MS Society