2026

The second annual AZ Crush MS wine tasting fundraiser for Multiple Sclerosis was another smashing success.  Over 150 caring people showed up to drink wine, have fun, and bid on some wonderful silent auction items that had been donated for the cause.  There was a 50/50 raffle and a wine pull, and a truly compelling keynote speaker.  Ashley Caldwell is a gold medal-winning Olympian in ski aerials, and her remarks were very well received.

The event was held in a beautiful venue at the Creighton University Health & Science Ballroom.  Many people commented on the party atmosphere that the ballroom created.  One guest commented, “It didn’t seem like a fundraiser at all. It was an afternoon where people came together, sampled some good wines, and chatted with old and new friends.  I came home with some great prizes from the silent auction and two bottles of wine from the wine pull that were a great deal as well.  I’m definitely coming back next year.”

Overall, the event raised almost $43,000.  Since the inaugural event in 2025 raised $15,000, this was much more than our most optimistic goals.  About $20,000 of that was sent directly to the National MS Society so they can continue to fund cutting-edge research and find a cure.  Our goal for the Relief Fund was $7,000, but we now have over $8,500 in the Relief Fund as a result of the success of this event.

The Relief Fund was created to provide financial support to those people in our MS Chapter who need some assistance.  During the past year, we have supported 9 people with grants, and with this increased funding, we are in a position to support 20 people or more.  These grants have been life-changing for the recipients, so we are thrilled to be able to help our neighbors who are living with MS in Arizona, New Mexico or Nevada.

None of this would have been possible without the following wineries donating cases of wine for this event.  AZ Crush MS is extremely grateful to these vineyards for their donations, and we encourage our community to visit these wineries throughout the year.  The returning wineries are shown in red below.

• 1764 Vineyards

• Copper Horse Vineyard

• Golden Rule

• Soaring Wines

• Vino Stache Winery

• Sunbeat Cellars

• Omphalos Winery

• Tirrito Farm

The event was sponsored by these three wonderful, caring companies whose support we cherish.

·       Genentech – Silver sponsor

·       Beyond Accessible – Silver sponsor

·       Barrow Neurological Foundation – Community sponsor

Thank you to everyone who attended.  If you couldn’t make it this year, we look forward to having you as our guest next year.