Designs on a cure for multiple sclerosis at Farmingdale fashion show

Daniella Lorentsen strutted down the model runway in Farmingdale to the cheers and applause of hundreds, feeling confident and in charge at a fashion show like few others.

In a black dress on loan from Macy's for the fundraiser at the Heritage Club at Bethpage, Lorentsen smiled back broadly, soaking it all in as she made her way to the runway's end — as always, thinking about the incurable disease attacking her nervous system, and how she's fighting back.

Lorentsen, 35, from Medford, joined several others showing off outfits on the runway, all fashion models for a day and either living with varying degrees of multiple sclerosis themselves, or close to people who are.

"It is one of the most empowering moments," said Lorentsen of her foray into high fashion. She was diagnosed with MS in 2019. Lorentsen and her husband, Buddy, have a 4-year-old who "is a huge part of why I do what I do," she said.

The 10th annual Runway for MS fundraiser has raised at least $275,000 each year since it began as a way for Long Islanders and others to help with research toward treating and finding a cure for the disease, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

"When I was diagnosed in 2010, there were maybe five or six medications available. Now, I think there are 26," said Elaine Lichas, who has been the co-chair of the fundraiser since it started and works for a pharmaceutical company.

"If that itself is not a good reason to keep fundraising," Lichas said, "I don’t know what is." 

MS causes the human immune system to go on the attack against the protective covering of nerve fibers, known as myelin, according to the Mayo Clinic. The disease, which wears down the protective cover and can lead to permanent nerve damage, has no known cure.

In more severe cases of MS, a person with the disease can lose the ability to walk, see or even move on their own.

Health experts estimate that at least 1 million people in the United States, have MS.

According to Lichas, the event used to be what was referred to as a "ladies luncheon." To celebrate the luncheon's 10th year, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, a nonprofit with an office in Hauppauge, wanted to do something different, so she suggested a fashion show.

"From that point on, they did it to mark the 10th year, and it just took off," she said. "So we went from a luncheon to a dinner to a gala."

Among those recognized Wednesday evening for their research efforts involving MS was Dr. Asaff Harel, an associate professor of neurology at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell.

"There are days where the complexity of MS feels immense," Harel told those gathered at a dinner ceremony before the fashion show.

"The society," he added, "provides hope necessary to persevere."

That hope was palpable among the models after the fashion show portion of the event.

"One of my things that I look forward to the most out of the entire year is participating in this," said Melanie Stephen, 48, of East Islip, who was diagnosed with MS in 2018 and is the area manager of business development for Allegiant Home Care.

"This is my third year," Stephen added of her runway walk. "If they ask me back, I’m all in."

After her turn down the runway, Lorentsen, amid all the accolades and celebrations and financial boosts to offer help, and hope, to those like her, talked about what made the moment special.

"Every day I have to worry about what MS symptom is going to control me today," she told Newsday, "in this moment, I’m in control."