Jonathan Cain Official Web Site - Charity: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) 2005

Summer MS Fundraiser 2005

Here at jonathancain.com we usually reserve our fundraising efforts for Fall. But this year we are doing things a bit differently. One of our Journey "family of fans" members has recently been diagnosed with MS. It has been inspirational to us how she has handled this tough time in her life not only with a positive fighting attitude, but with grace. In the words of friend and drum tech, Jim Handley: "Not only is Chrissy an amazing woman, but also a talented, and wonderful person. It's always nice to look out from behind the drumset and see her singing along with the music at concerts. It's good to see that now, in the face of such a staggering life change, she hasn't changed who she is. She's still a positve, and happy person." In honor of Chrissy's courage, we wanted to do a special fundraiser this summer in her honor to help the MS Society find a cure for all inflicted. For more info you can go to http://www.mssociety.org/. But in the meantime this is ...

Chrissy's Story

The music of Jonathan Cain and Journey has always touched my heart. They have been with me to celebrate the good times in my life and helped comfort me in my time of need. I have often said music soothes the soul, and never did I believe this more than at this time.

Looking at me you would never know I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), an inflammatory autoimmune disease of the central nervous system affecting the brain and spinal cord. But, on April 13th 2005 I received the news that would forever change my life.

It started one morning waking up with eye pain and having trouble seeing out of my left eye. It was as if I was going blind. I made an appointment with my eye doctor that day and he conducted a number of tests. When I simply couldn't see a letter that was literally inches from my face I knew something was very wrong. He looked worried and asked me how I have been feeling. Right there I got nervous. Why would he ask me that? I'm having trouble with my eye not my body. He said he felt the symptoms could be cause by a medical condition and he wanted me to see a neurologist. He said he was going to make a few calls and get back to me.

The next Morning I had an appointment with a Neurologist. After several tests the Neurologist said I had a condition called Optical Neuritis. It is when the optic nerve gets swollen and it's caused by an underlying medical condition. It could also be the first sign of MS. I was in denial. It couldn't be anything serious. I was feeling fine. I'm never sick! This is just a fluke, a virus maybe.

The next few weeks were full of doctor visits and tests. Around this time I had just purchased Jonathan Cain's new CD Bare Bones. I found when I listened to it as well as Journey (DSB is my signature song)I felt more at ease. I brought Jonathan's CD with me to the hospital when they were doing the two scariest tests, the MRI and spinal tap. I was able to relax and told myself no matter what they found I would get through this. Next came the waiting. Again I relied on my music, my family, friends and prayer to get me through.

The day I walked into the office for the results I thought I was ready, but nothing can quite prepare you for hearing the words "It appears you have MS". Not when you are a generally healthy individual with few symptoms. Thoughts of physical disability in my future were obviously my fear. Leaving the office the song that was playing was "Be Good To Yourself." As corny as it might sound that was a sign to me that I needed to fight! Since then I have been researching the disease, treatments and ways to take care of myself. I had to change my life style in some ways, watch what I eat and give myself daily injections. They can be scary and unattractive, but these meds open the door to a brighter and more predictable future. They cut back on the number of relapses one would normally encounter and greatly impact the level of disability I may experience over a lifetime.

All of this is due to the fundraiser efforts for research and treatment of MS. Here is your opportunity my Journey family to be a part of this effort to help me and the thousands of others that are struck with this disease. Together we can make a difference. Read on to find out about our MS Fundraiser.

Thank you,
Chrissy Banks

MS FUNDRAISER
REFLECTIONS: THE GENERATIONS OF JONATHAN CAIN

Keeping in the spirit of the GENERATIONS tour ahead, we've created a fun "event" to raise money for the MS Society.

We enlisted the help of the Ken "the Mirror Dude" Everly to create some rare mirrors to "reflect" on the generations of Jonathan's career. Every two weeks we will list the mirrors one at a time on EBay. The schedule for their listings can be seen below. Please note, though not pictured as of yet, the frames will be autographed, and will come with other small "surprises."

Special thanks to Ken for the generous donation of his time, talent and materials.

EBay: June 26, 2005	EBay: July 10, 2005	EBay: July 25, 2005

also autographed by Weston Cain the Artist of Bare Bones EBay: August 8, 2005	EBay: August 22, 2005	EBay: September 5, 2005