Intriguing Community Health Activist
“We want the cure for Multiple Sclerosis to come out of Napa Valley,” stated Kevin Reid, on 99.3 the Vine, promoting the 6th Annual Crush MS Summer Celebration. Kevin is the Co-Founder of the non-profit group Crush MS, an organization dedicated to bringing wineries together to eliminate MS.
Crush MS is hosted annually at his family’s vineyard property, Reid Family Vineyards, where 30+ wineries come together to sponsor the cause. Over the past six years, through Crush MS, the Napa native has worked diligently to raise over $400,000 to support research for a cure and programs helping those living with the disease.
Stricken with MS at age 22, Kevin’s advocacy for a cure comes from the heart. He tirelessly donates time and effort to bring the community together to offer encouragement and assistance. He created a monthly support group for people with MS in Napa and has worked with Genentech to designate March 28th as Progressive MS Day, an annual day which offers people affected by MS -patient advocates, healthcare providers, governments and industry- an opportunity to share stories online and show their support for people living with progressive forms of the disease. In 2018 he participated in the approval of state resolution (SR-86) recognizing Progressive MS Day in California.
Kevin’s dedication to support and find a cure for MS has been recognized at the highest levels. For the past two years Congressman Mike Thompson awarded Certificates of Congressional Recognition to Crush MS for leader- ship and bringing the community together for such a worthy cause, and The National MS Society recently honored Kevin at the Silicon Valley Dinner of Champions by featuring his story at their fundraising event.
When he’s not working for his family business, Reid Family Vineyards, the fifth generation Californian and former public-school teacher enjoys supporting the com- munity. He serves on the Board of the Napa Valley Education Foundation, which provides resources for students and faculty of the Napa Valley Unified School District.
Not one to miss a step, Kevin is already at work organizing the 7th Annual Crush MS Summer Celebration, which will be held on July 28, 2020. www.CrushMS.org
