Sharon Dodge may be one of the most active people in Oak Harbor. She’s the mother of three: Tyler, 9, and twins Sarah and Caitlin, 4. She’s their father too when her husband is deployed with the Navy. Besides running a home and running around with kids, Dodge volunteers in Tyler’s class at Oak Harbor Christian School. She’s active in Mothers of Twins support group and at Oak Harbor First United Methodist Church.

March 29, Dodge was named Honoree of the Year at Whatcom/Skagit Multiple Sclerosis Walk in Bellingham. In 2002, Dodge raised the most money by an individual for the MS Walk. For 2003, Dodge’s Team Hope raised nearly $6,000 with contributions from all over Whidbey Island including people in VQ-1 (her husband Bill’s squadron), her church and Bill Massey of Island Construction.

“We got so much support from people in Oak Harbor,” Dodge said. “It’s amazing what people here will do for you.”

Her accomplishment was all the more remarkable since she was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis seven years ago. The diagnosis was a shock: Dodge’s father had MS but the disease isn’t known to have a genetic predisposition. “It’s rare for multiple family members to have multiple sclerosis,” Dodge said.

Despite having a disease that can be frustrating, Dodge is undeterred. “I have a great life,” she said. “I never let myself sink down. I don’t have time. There’s always someone worse off than me.”

At Oak Harbor First United Methodist Church, Dodge serves as a Stephen Minister: described as a lay Christian trained to provide in-depth care to others. A Stephen Minister gives one-on-one care to individuals who are facing a life crisis including those who are bereaved, divorced or separated, terminally ill, unemployed, hospitalized, home bound, lonely, experiencing spiritual struggles, and more.

Besides being active with her family, friends and church, Dodge takes time to concentrate on herself.

She exercises regularly by walking and lifting weights at home. And once a week, she has a shot and a cocktail. Not that she indulges in tequila and cosmopolitans. Dodge takes an injection of Avonex, a drug that delays progression of multiple sclerosis. The cocktail of Tylenol and Ibuprofen counters the drug’s side effects of chills, body aches and general feelings of lousiness.

“I believe there’s a reason I have MS,” Dodge said. “Maybe it’s to get the word out about MS, to make people aware, to raise money for a cure.”

Dodge is positive about her future. “I know researchers are close to a cure for MS,” she said. “I’m sure researchers will find a cause for MS and a cure in my lifetime.”

Despite her medication’s side effects, Dodge said Avonex is definitely slowing the progress of MS. “I haven’t had a relapse in more than a year,” she said.

“I know my father is looking down on me and I know Dad won’t let me wind up in a wheelchair,” Dodge said. “Just because a person has a disease doesn’t mean they stop living. Life is too precious to waste.”