As of this year, a new nonprofit organization has created a chapter on Florida State’s campus and people are skipping, hopping, and jumping over themselves to learn more about it! Hopping 4 A Cure is a nonprofit organization that aims to spread awareness and collect donations for the central nervous system disease, Multiple Sclerosis.
According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Multiple Sclerosis, more commonly known as MS, is “an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body.” The cause of MS is still not fully identified and it can have effects ranging from fatigue to diminished brain function and paralysis.
MS is a serious topic and is one that can make people frequently very sad and disheartened. However, Hopping 4 A Cure has a fun way of spreading awareness that’s making a cure for MS seem more and more attainable—by hosting hopscotch tournaments. According to the Co-Vice President of the FSU chapter sophomore Nicholas Martin, “There are teams of people that participate in four events: speed, endurance, challenge and extreme. Winners will receive different prizes.” The organization has raised $30,000 since it started at Nicholas’ high school four years ago and was even a winner of the 2014 “Outstanding New Student Organization” at the University of Florida.
Nicholas learned about the organization from the creator, David Nassau, along with a friend who started the Hopping 4 A Cure nonprofit who were actually classmates of his in high school. Nicholas said he got involved with Hopping 4 A Cure because “[he] felt it was a great way to give back and raise money for something that needs awareness and resources. A lot of people don’t know about MS, so I felt by joining Hopping 4 A Cure FSU it would be a great opportunity to raise awareness at FSU and in the community.” He also says that for those of us (like me) who may not be very good at hopscotch, the best way to support MS research is by learning as much as we can about it and by donating what we can.
If you are interested in getting involved here on campus, the FSU chapter of Hopping 4 A Cure will be hosting a hopscotch tournament on February 7th from 1-4pm at Encore on Tennessee Street. If you’d like to sign up to participate and create a team ahead of time, check out H4ACFSU.eventbrite.com. You’ll even get a discounted ticket for signing up early! And if you don’t necessarily want to compete, there are fun events going on throughout the day that anyone can participate in. Nicholas implores, “We encourage not only FSU to get involved, but the whole community. It’s fun for all ages!” And if you still want to help but can’t make it to the event, you can go to the website above and click “Participate as an individual” and there is an option to donate! Whichever you choose, you can make a difference in someone’s life that could really use your help.
To find out more about Hopping 4 A Cure for Multiple Sclerosis at FSU you can email them at hopping4acurefsu@gmail.com or check out their Facebook page Hopping 4 A Cure FSU.