MISSION:

The MARS Foundation was organized to fund research that will move us closer to a world free of multiple sclerosis.  MS is a disease of the central nervous system that can affect the way a person moves, feels and thinks. Nearly 4,600 Iowans live with MS every day.  Our way of fighting this disease is to raise funds for research for a cure.  Additionally, we are helping to improve the quality of life of local Iowans affected with MS.  

  Spotlight on your impact over the years

2021: Celebrated 20 years of MARS, and fundraising efforts raised over $100,000! The board voted to donate a total of $100,000 to be divided among four organizations that have great impact on the MS patients in our community.
Mayo Clinic in Rochester- MARS gifted $50,000 plus a match from Wayne and Marleen Anderson for a total of $100,000. This is the largest donation the MARS Foundation has ever given.

MS Moments- MARS gifted $20,000 to help MS patients and their families receive quality of life services.

MercyOne- MARS gifted $15,000 to continue the MS day program that was started in 2019. The program consists of four 50- minute sessions every Wednesday. The facilitators of each include a speech language pathologist, nurse educator, occupational therapist and a physical therapist. The topics of education/activity include music, yoga, tai chi, vision, communication, cognition, memory, art, strength training, aerobic exercise, energy conservation, anger, meditation, depression, and educate on community resources that are not familiar to all participants, such as MSAA, MSF, NMSS, and MS Moments. In addition, the benefits of an online support group and MS Camp for kids. Lastly, DMT overview of treatments and differences along with the potential side effects vs. benefit, and JCV and how it relates to any DMT. This program was put on hold due to the pandemic.

National MS Society- MARS gifted $15,000 to help fund research projects that were specifically selected by the MARS Foundation.

2020: Though the year may not have gone as planned due to the pandemic, with the help of our amazing sponsors and a matching gift, the Mars Foundation was able to raise $32,000. Money was distributed to continue impacting patients and families with MS.
MS Moments was gifted $7,000 to provide grants for quality-of-life services that help MS patients and their families all over the state of Iowa. W

Mayo Clinic received $25,000 thanks to an anonymous matching donor. The Mayo Clinic continues to conduct research to help find a cure for MS. The work they are doing is very exciting and definitely moving in the right direction!

2019

  • $55K to be distributed among the following research projects at MS Society:

  • $20K to MS gut bacteria research (Dr. Sergio Baranzini)

  • $18K to Restore-CNS Repair research (Dr. Isobel Scarisbrick)

  • $17K to ISGylation research (Dr. Ben Clarkson)

  • $20K to MS Moments

  • $16K to MercyOne