our story

My name is Robbie, and I am committed to creating a world free of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) because my sister, Judy, suffered from Primary Progressive MS during the 1980s when there were no Disease Modifying Therapies available.

In 2025, we established AZ Crush MS, inspired by a fundraising event initiated by Kevin Reid and Julie Hare in 2014 known as Crush MS (www.crushms.org). The original wine-tasting event, held annually in Napa Valley, has raised nearly $1 million for the MS Society.

On April 19, 2025, we hosted our inaugural AZ Crush MS event. Some of the proceeds were contributed to the National MS Society, which supports advanced research to find a cure for MS. Additionally, a portion of the funds was allocated locally to assist families affected by MS within our community chapter, helping them manage the financial burdens associated with this disease.

The 2025 event was a considerable success. It took place at Chicken N Pickle in Glendale, which generously donated their upstairs space for the occasion. We were honored to have Kevin Reid in attendance and Jon Strum as our keynote speaker. Jon is the creator of the award-winning podcast Real Talk MS (RealTalk MS).

Where will our story lead?  I believe that our caring and generous community will carry this event to great heights in the coming years and change the face of MS for many families.