Chef With Multiple Sclerosis Uses Culinary Skills And Passion For Golf To Support National MS Society Michigan Chapter

Main Category: Multiple Sclerosis
Article Date: 28 Feb 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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The first thing that Chef Bill Pikarski wants you to know is that Multiple Sclerosis is not a death sentence. Nor does it mean that you cannot live a full, rewarding life. After being diagnosed with MS in August of 2002, Pikarski went through a period of depression and denial. Two things helped change his outlook: The National Multiple Sclerosis Society and golf.

Pikarski, an avid golfer, heeded his wife's suggestion and volunteered to work on the NMSS's annual event, The Longest Day of Golf. It's a month-long event held in May with more than 40 host golf courses across the state of Michigan, who forego their greens fees for the day so that registered golfers can play while raising money for the NMSS.

At the time of his diagnosis, Pikarski, a former IT manager, had also decided to start his own personal chef service. "I wanted to be my own boss. I wanted to make people happy and help people who couldn't cook for themselves," Pikarski said. The results were twofold: Plates and Palates, Pikarski's personal chef service and Cooks & Cars-Recipes by Design, a cookbook of 360 recipes from Pikarski, his family and friends. The proceeds of the book go to support The Longest Day of Golf.

Since becoming involved with NMSS, Pikarski has consistently secured a spot in the Tournament of Champions, which includes the largest fundraisers for the golf event. Pikarski ranked second in fundraising in 2007 and first in 2006. "Last year I was the committee chairperson for the Longest Day of Golf event." "I keep trying to find more ways to get the cookbook out there and make more money for the NMSS Michigan Chapter."

Despite all of his efforts Pikarski admits that people's reactions to those living with MS can be frustrating at times. "People hear the word MS and they think, 'that poor person is going to be in a wheelchair or using a cane,'" Pikarski says. "MS doesn't mean that people are helpless or automatically disabled."

Pikarski understands the urgency that is needed as it applies to his personal fundraising efforts. "Some day I may not be able to do these things. You never know. That's the nature of this disease. But right now I can, so I get out there and cook for people and I get out there and golf and make money for the NMSS, while I can."

The Longest Day of Golf 2008 takes place from May 1- 31. It features more than 850 golfers who will enjoy an entire day of golf while helping the NMSS. For more information about the Longest Day of Golf Event, call the NMSS Michigan Chapter at 248-350-0020 or e-mail them at ldg@mig.nmss.org. To purchase Chef Pikarski's book check his website: http://www.platesandpalates.com.

MS stops people from moving. The National MS Society exists to make sure it doesn't. We help each person address the challenges of living with MS through our 50- state network of chapters. We fund more MS research, provide more services to people with MS, offer more professional education and further more advocacy than any other MS organization in the world. The Society is dedicated to achieving a world free of MS. We are people who want to do something about MS now. Join the movement at http://www.nationalmssociety.org/mig.

National MS Society

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