Woman with MS Sets Sights on Seven Summits

[editor's note... this press release caught my attention because of Wendy Booker's indomitable spirit... since it reads a bit like an advertisement from a drug company, however I question the wisdom of posting it in the "volunteers" section, but what the heck, I'm the editor and it's going here anyway...]

Goal is to be First Known Person with MS to Reach the Tops and Raise Awareness for MS

BOSTON, June 8, 2005 -- One down, six to go! That's what Wendy Booker said when she loaded her gear for Boston after becoming the first known woman living with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) to summit Mt. McKinley, the highest point in North America. This summer, she will journey to Africa to conquer another of the world's seven summits, Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Booker, diagnosed in 1998, is on a mission to raise awareness for the disease she faces and to share with others living with multiple sclerosis (MS) about available therapy resources. For Booker, every step up the mountain is an accomplishment, and each summit she reaches is an acknowledgement of her hard work, dedication, family support, and daily drug therapy.

Now, Booker is preparing to take on the next step in her attempt to be the first known woman living with MS to conquer the Seven Summits.

"For me, climbing gives me an opportunity to inspire others and to challenge myself," commented Booker. "Almost half of the people living with MS are not on one of the approved treatments, and I want to show them what I am able to accomplish with the help of a good diet, exercise, and COPAXONE(R). While people respond differently to therapy, they need to work with their doctor to find out what will work for them and I'm living proof, therapy can work!"

If at first you don't succeed, try, try again

Booker began climbing in 2002 as part of the Climb for the Cause team. The team consisted of six climbers living with MS and one long-time climbing buddy of a team member. The team set out to be the first unguided group of MS climbers to reach the summit. Booker was a novice climber but an accomplished athlete having run three marathons and been a certified aerobics instructor for years. She set out to train with the team and learn the skills necessary to reach the summit of Mt. McKinley. At 20,320 feet, this was no simple task!

"Climbing Denali the first time opened my eyes to the extremes of mountaineering. The weather was great one day, then awful for the next three," said Booker. "I learned to respect every aspect of the mountain and really fell in love with the sport, despite our lack of success the first time around."

Booker and two other expedition members made it to 17,000 feet but were turned back due to extremely dangerous weather beyond 19,000 feet. As she descended, she thought, "I'll be back."

Peak Experience

And she was in 2004. With a new, guided team, Booker prepared for another attempt in 2004. She hired a personal trainer with specific knowledge of high altitude climbing. She gave up the treats, including gummi bears, and dropped 20 pounds. She opted not to run a marathon and focus specifically on Denali. She trained for nearly a year to be 100 percent ready. When she departed for Alaska in June, she knew she was ready, now as long as the weather would cooperate they would be fine.

The weather was sunny and warm, at first. Blizzards at 11,000 feet and again at 14,200 feet kept them in their tents for days. Then, the weather broke. The team ascended to the summit June 27, 2004. Booker raised her arms in a true Rocky pose as she took her turn at the top of the world!

"Reaching the summit was the most incredible experience for me," exclaimed Booker. "Not only did I feel like I accomplished it, but it felt like every person living with MS pushed me on to the top! It was an awesome experience."

The Next Challenge

Kilimanjaro is composed of three dormant volcanoes (Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira). It is the highest peak in Africa at 19,340 feet. Booker will climb with a guided group for seven days with hopes of reaching the summit. Unlike Denali, the group's gear will be carried by porters, and all meals will be fixed for them. The climate from start to finish of the expedition will change from prairie to rain forest to snowcapped mountain and back to the grassland. It is sure to be an impressive adventure.

"Climbing Kilimanjaro will be exciting," said Booker. "It is mostly a long hike up the mountain and I am looking forward to experiencing Africa and meeting a new team of people."

Booker will depart for her next adventure June 11. She will update her Web site throughout the climb. Log on to follow her trip by going to http://www.msclimb.com.

Team COPAXONE(R) (glatiramer acetate injection)

Booker is not alone in her fight against MS and misconceptions surrounding the abilities of people with MS. She is part of Team COPAXONE(R), a group of remarkable people, all living with RRMS, who refuse to sit idly by and allow MS to stand in the way of their goals. Its members are all working to change society's perception of the abilities of those living with MS.

Turning to Science

The FDA has approved drugs for RRMS, such as COPAXONE(R). Current data suggests COPAXONE(R) 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, 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.

For more information on Wendy Booker and MS Climb 2005, visit her Web site at http://www.msclimb.com.

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 hard copy releases, please see full prescribing information.

Media Contact:

Jennifer Westphal
(816) 512-2241
westphaj@fleishman.com