Billiards Player Sinks Multiple Sclerosis One Shot at a Time - David Krolick 'racks 'em up' and inspires others

Main Category: Multiple Sclerosis
Article Date: 03 Mar 2005 - 0:00 PDT


ALBUQUERQUE, USA - In mainstream America, the late evening news marks the end of the day's events - a time to rest and prepare for the next. However, for David Krolick, twilight hours indicate just the opposite -- not a time of rest, but a time when the fun is just beginning.

As a professional billiards player, Krolick spends many hours gearing up for the next match, sometimes after the stroke of midnight.

A sport of all seasons, nearly 40 million Americans take part in the game each year(1). Krolick's interest in billiards surpasses the appeal of its popularity though. Billiards has become an outlet to demonstrate to others life is not always about the competitor on the other end of the table -- but sometimes the hidden challenges you face. For Krolick, that hidden challenge is relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). The chronic illness entered Krolick's life five years ago. His life, and his game, have never been the same.

"I live with RRMS every day, and I play pool every day. In a way, the two go hand in hand. This disease has helped me focus on what is important in my life, how I can get to the next level in pool and how I can inspire the thousands of others living with MS."

While individual results may vary, to fuel Krolick's fire, he turns to family for support, competitors for inspiration, and a daily injection of COPAXONE(R) (glatiramer acetate injection) to help keep his MS at bay.

"Nearly half of my peers in the MS community are not taking advantage of the benefits of medication. My daily injection of COPAXONE(R) is just as much a part of me as pool. Both the game and my daily injection help me fight back, and I know I'm doing everything I can to help manage this disease. I hope by sharing my story, others will realize the value of science and medicine."

As Krolick celebrates his 50th birthday this year, he will be concentrating his efforts on pool even more as he enters 15 tournaments across the country. In a year of milestones, Krolick is standing tall and looking forward to the next stop on the map. Krolick's efforts will take him to cities across the country including:

-- Southeast Pechauer Open - Marietta, Ga.

-- McDermott Midwest 9-Ball Tournament - Kansas City, Mo.

-- Super Billiards Expo - King of Prussia, Pa.

-- Houston 9-Ball Championship - League City, Texas

-- Hardtimes Summer Jamboree - Sacramento, Calif.

-- Carolina's Open - Goldsboro, N.C.

-- U.S. Open - Chesapeake, Va.

-- Midwest Expo - Chicago, Ill.

-- Atlanta Open - Atlanta, Ga.

-- Glass City Open - Toledo, Ohio

-- Emerald Coast Classic - Ft. Walton Beach, Fla.

(Schedule subject to change.)

Multiple sclerosis, a chronic disease of the central nervous system, affects more than 400,000 Americans, with approximately 200 people diagnosed each week. More women than men are diagnosed with the disease, and diagnosis typically takes place between the ages of 20 to 50. For more information about MS, please visit http://www.copaxone.com . For more information about David Krolick, please call (816) 512-2388.

Current data suggests that COPAXONE(R) (glatiramer acetate injection) is a selective MHC class II modulator. COPAXONE(R) is indicated for the reduction of the frequency of relapses in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

The most common side effects of COPAXONE(R) are redness, pain, swelling, itching, or a lump at the site of injection, flushing, chest pain, weakness, infection, pain, nausea, joint pain, anxiety, and muscle stiffness. These reactions are usually mild and seldom require professional treatment. Patients should tell their doctor about any side effects.

Some patients report a short-term reaction right after injecting COPAXONE(R). This reaction can involve flushing (feeling of warmth and/or redness), chest tightness or pain with heart palpitations, anxiety, and trouble breathing. These symptoms generally appear within minutes of an injection, last about 15 minutes, and go away by themselves without further problems.

After injecting COPAXONE(R), patients should call their doctor right away if they develop hives, skin rash with irritation, dizziness, sweating, chest pain, trouble breathing, severe pain at the injection site or other uncomfortable changes in their general health. Patients should not give themselves any more injections until their doctor tells them to begin again.

Teva Neuroscience, Inc. markets COPAXONE(R). COPAXONE(R) is a registered trademark of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. Teva Neuroscience, Inc. is a subsidiary of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

Call 1-800-887-8100 or log onto http://www.copaxone.com for more information about COPAXONE(R), Team COPAXONE(R), or multiple sclerosis.

See additional important information at http://www.copaxone.com/pi/index.html or call 1-800-887-8100 for electronic releases. For hardcopy releases, please see enclosed full prescribing information.

Reference: (1) SGMA International "Sports Participation in America"

Contact:
Mistie Stevens
Fleishman-Hillard Inc.
(816) 512-2388
stevensm@fleishman.com

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