The "Bangle" Story

What began as a selfless commitment made by one person to helping others with multiple sclerosis has grown steadily into a unique way of promoting awareness of the disease and raising funds for research, education, and services.

Michelle Keating, a nurse who has been living with multiple sclerosis for 25 years, designed and created the first MS Awareness Beaded Bangles©. Inspired by her work with cancer survivors who crafted bracelets as part of a support program, she felt that a similar project would be a wonderful opportunity for people with MS to focus on hope and living positively and to raise awareness in the community.

The first bracelets were made at a support group facilitated by Michelle. Each one has some "prism" glass beads, which represent the invisible and different symptoms of MS, as well as glass, pearl, or sterling silver beads and a sterling silver ribbon charm to symbolize awareness. To make the bracelet easy to wear, each is handmade using special strong jewelry elastic, so no clasp is necessary.

The enthusiastic response to the bracelets prompted Michelle to expand the project into a fundraiser for her MS Walk team. With an initial grant from Serono, Inc.; a gift from Renee Montileone-Harms, a friend also living with MS; and marketing materials donated by the Jerome Group , a full service direct marketing firm and a leader in digital print services, she began selling the bracelets for $15 each and donating the proceeds to the Gateway Chapter of the National MS Society.

The bracelets were so popular that Michelle began enlisting volunteers to make them, including local elementary and high school students, a Girl Scout troop, and other members of the community who wanted to help work towards ending the devastating effects of MS.

Michelle initially offered the bracelets at local education and fundraising programs, doctors’ offices, and a national conference. The incredible demand for the bracelets led her to explore the possibility of creating a website. Pat Heffern, a friend and COO of AssistGuide , volunteered to develop this site. AssistGuide provides innovative products and services for long-term care, disability, senior, and healthcare businesses. By connecting providers, employers, and governments utilizing online technology systems, they enable consumers to find senior and disability products, services, and the support they need.

You continue the “bangle” story by wearing your bracelet! Along with the dedicated volunteers who make the bracelets, you will help make a difference and sustain hope for those living with MS and their families!

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About Michelle Keating

A model of energy, perseverance, and determination, Michelle has not let MS slow her down since her diagnosis in 1981. Today, despite everyday challenges, including decreased mobility (she gets around using a leg brace and a crutch and with the help of a motor scooter), she continues her career certified in oncology and multiple sclerosis nursing. She works at the John F. Krey III Cancer Information Center at St. John’s Mercy Medical Center in St. Louis and as a consultant for MS LifeLines ™ , an educational and supportive community resource sponsored by Serono and Pfizer for people living with MS. She has developed many professional presentations and publications about MS and shares her knowledge and message of hope by speaking at fundraising and educational events locally and nationally.

Married for 25 years with two children, Michelle volunteers at her church, as a trustee of the MS Nurses International Certification Board, as a support group facilitator, as a local long-term care committee member, and as a trustee for the Gateway Chapter of the National MS Society. To acknowledge her outstanding work in the fight against MS, the National MS Society honored Michelle by inducting her into the 2005 National MS Society’s Volunteer Hall of Fame.