Meet Tessa!
Tessa is truly a May 50K champion! 2024 is her 5th year participating in The May 50K with Team Arthurton, who have raised a collective $41,245 for MS Research. Tessa is hoping that this total will reach $50,000 in 2024!
Tessa has been living with multiple sclerosis for 30 years, after being diagnosed at age 16 while in Year 11. Her first symptoms were in her hands and after a lengthy diagnosis process, she was given steroids to relieve her symptoms.
“The most confronting part of it was being a patient in the neurology ward at the Royal Adelaide Hospital with people who were recovering from brain surgery”
Despite being diagnosed so young, Tessa just got on with her life, completing a university degree and beginning full-time work without too many challenges, at least initially. Juggling medical appointments, relapses and IV steroid treatments would come later.
Tessa didn’t start on her first Disease Modifying Treatment (DMT) until almost 10 years after her initial diagnosis. She was on Rebif for 17 years, injecting herself three times each week. Since 2020, has tried three different medications to help her manage her MS.
Tessa is thankful for events like The May 50K for helping bring awareness to treatment options and the advocacy that helps get treatment options put on the PBS.
“I worked out that without the PBS I would have spent over $50,000 in one year on medication. I am so grateful that I can pick my medication without having to consider the cost”
Tessa continues to work part-time and finds much joy in her life despite the challenges MS throws at her. In 2015, Tessa adopted her dog, Boss, who not only encouraged her to get active but gave her a sense of companionship.
“I knew that now I had a dog, I would need to walk him every day, I had no excuses… It was life-changing”
Tessa, Boss and Team Arthurton are taking on The May 50K again this year to raise money for MS research. Taking part with her local community is such a highlight for Tessa as there
is so much support for this important cause!
“I am excited to take part again this year. The May 50K always encourages me to be more active and I love participating with so many people from my community”
Sign up to take part with Tessa this year, join The May 50K.
