Mario Ponce, founder and operator of Takito Brand Restaurants, and Ben Teresi, area operations manager for the restaurants, are being honored by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at the group's Annual Chicago Dinner of Champions on September 21.
“Mario and Ben have been friends for decades without Mario ever knowing that Ben lives with MS," says Nancy McInroy, National MS Society, Greater Illinois Market president. "Once Ben disclosed that he lives with MS, the duo quickly became a fundraising force. In the last two years, they have donated unique live auction packages to our Dinner of Champions, created a signature drink at their restaurants with 100% of the proceeds donated to the National MS Society, and were a sponsor and provider at the Chicago MS Soiree.”
The Dinner of Champions is the Society's premier gala event that pays tribute to the vast network of generous individuals, corporations, organizations and volunteer leaders who are dedicated to making a difference in the lives of people living with MS.
The event will be held at VenueSIX in Chicago. To purchase tickets, click here.
About Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system. There is currently no cure
for MS. Symptoms vary from person to person, and range from, numbness and tingling, to mobility challenges,
blindness, and paralysis. An estimated 1 million people live with MS in the United States. Most people are diagnosed
between the ages of 20 and 50 and it affects women three times more than men.
About the National Multiple Sclerosis Society
The National MS Society, founded in 1946, funds cutting-edge research, drives change through advocacy, and provides
programs and services to help people affected by MS live their best lives. Connect to learn more and get involved:
nationalMSsociety.org, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube or 1-800-344-4867.