The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, North Florida Chapter announced Tuesday the Donald C. McGraw Foundation has donated $1 million to the MS NOW Campaign, the society’s research campaign to stop progression, restore function and end MS by raising $250 million to fund research and treatment.
The society said the decision to donate was motivated by the diagnosis of a family member.
“When Josh and Sacha McGraw of Ponte Vedra learned their 28-year-old daughter, Erin, had been diagnosed with MS they wanted to help, but they weren’t sure how,” said a news release.
The release said Josh McGraw consulted with his brother Robin, who already was involved with the society through participating in Bike MS and as trustee of the Greater New England Chapter.
“The brothers knew they had to take a significant leadership role with their own resources and at the same time they wanted to motivate more people to join the MS movement,” said the release.
“When we read about the NOW Campaign, it seemed the society was focused and understood how every dollar could be used as efficiently as possible,” Josh McGraw said in the release.
The McGraws decided to leverage their family foundation, the Donald C. McGraw Foundation, to donate $1 million to the MS NOW Campaign. Robin McGraw accepted a role on the MS NOW Cabinet, and has been traveling across the country speaking to prospective donors to raise support for the campaign.
The family also has engaged in area chapter
activities, from educational conferences, to annual fundraisers.
Last month, Josh, Robin and Erin’s brother Casey teamed up for the Bike MS: PGA TOUR Cycle to the Shore fundraiser, riding as “Team Erin.”
Together, they have raised more than $12,000 for research and local chapter services, the society said.