Join us for Community Offerings

Book Club

Join us every other month in 2026 for book club meetings with the John A. Schafer, MD Multiple Sclerosis Achievement Center. Read/listen to all or a portion of the book and connect with others in the MS community to discuss or just listen in! The meetings will be held virtually via Zoom.

Book Club is free and open to members and non-members of the John A. Schafer, MD Multiple Sclerosis Achievement Center.

• Monday February 9th, 11am-12pm*: Book Club with Author, Dr. Steven Hauser: The Face Laughs While the Brain Cries (see details below)
• Monday April 6th, 1-2pm: Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman & Cathleen McCarron 
• Monday June 1st, 1-2pm: The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison  
• Monday August 3rd, 1-2pm: Green Sun by Kent Anderson 
• Monday October 5th, 1-2pm: Trust by Herman Diez 
• Monday November 30th, 1-2pm: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

Contact us to be added to the invite list and for details of our next Book Club meeting!

To register, contact: 916.453.7966 or [email protected]

* Please note the time difference of February's meeting

Book Club with the Author

Dr. Stephen Hauser, world-renowned neurologist and MS researcher, offers a powerful and compassionate exploration of multiple sclerosis (MS) in this memoir, The Face Laughs While the Brain Cries. Blending groundbreaking science with deeply human stories, the book reveals the emotional, physical, and social realities of living with MS. Drawing from decades of research and patient care, Dr. Hauser highlights major advances in treatment while honoring the resilience and lived experiences of those affected by the disease.

Register for our meeting on February 9, 2026 at 11:00 am - 12:00pm.

Malnutrition and MS

Tyler Titcomb, PhD, RDN, Assistant Professor and Registered Dietitian at the University of Kansas Medical Center, focuses his research and practice on improving nutritional status for individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) to maintain muscle mass and function. 

Malnutrition, a deficiency in protein or energy, can severely impact strength, cognition, immunity, and overall well-being. Due to MS's inflammatory nature and common challenges like high medical costs, medications, dysphagia, physical limitations, or food access, people with MS face an elevated risk. This presentation will cover malnutrition's appearance, prevalence in MS, warning signs, and identification/treatment methods.

Monday, January 12, 2026
11:00am - 12:00pm 

Please register by January 5 to receive a Zoom link. 

To register call 916.453.7966 or [email protected]

Resource Series: National MS Society

Beth Koeneke is the Community Events Director for Northern California at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, a role she has held since 2014. She primarily focuses on organizing and supporting Walk MS events across the region. Beth began her nonprofit career in 1993, volunteering and working with AIDS Walk, and has been dedicated to community engagement and event fundraising ever since. 

Join us virtually, to learn about the services provided by this national MS organization and community partner of the John A. Schafer, MD Multiple Sclerosis Achievement Center.

Monday, January 26, 2026
11:00am - 12:00pm 

Please register by January 20 to receive a Zoom link. 

To register call 916.453.7966 or [email protected]

Writing as Healing

Have you ever considered expressive writing as a form of healing? Writing has been proven to have a positive, healing effect, and we are pleased to welcome John Crandall, author, educator, and artist, to facilitate this free writing workshop. Join us virtually to experience a creative, artistic, and confidential form of sharing the written voice.

Writing As Healing is open to members and non-members of the John A. Schafer, MD Multiple Sclerosis Achievement Center.

Every 2nd Monday of the month
1:00 - 3:00 PM (PST)

• Registration is required to receive a ZOOM link.
• To register:  916.453.7966 or [email protected]