TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Hundreds gathered in Tallahassee on Thursday for the “Together for a Cure” luncheon.
It raises awareness and money to help those battling multiple sclerosis.
Over the years, it’s brought in more than a million dollars to fund research and provide services to people with MS.
One of the speakers at Thursday’s luncheon was Robinee Phillips, whose mother has MS.
She shared how watching her mom navigate its challenges has fueled her determination to become a pediatric neurologist.
“It makes me so grateful because with such a harrowing disease and with it being so unpredictable, I don’t really know what each day is going to bring for her, but watching her live such a full and active life is just a blessing,” Phillips said.
Robinee Phillips and her mother, Joya, have traveled to the U.S. Capitol to advocate for MS patients.(Julie Montanaro/WCTV)
Phillips has joined her mother, Joya, at both Florida’s Capitol and the U.S. Capitol to advocate for more funding for research and increased access to care.
“Research matters and access matters and more people than you think are affected by this disease,” Phillips said. “I urge lawmakers to make health care more accessible and make these medications more affordable for these people because they’re life altering.”
Thursday’s honoree, Dr. Gerry Maitland, is a neurologist and professor at the FSU College of Medicine. He’s treated more than 100,000 patients, including many with MS.
Dr. Gerry Maitland – a neurologist and professor at FSU’s College of Medicine – was honored for making a lasting impact in the lives of MS patients.(Julie Montanaro/WCTV)
“It never fails to impress me how diligent patients and their families and friends are in dealing with this condition, which I hate,” Maitland said. “I hate MS more than I probably hate any other disease.”
Maitland told the crowd he expects big steps forward in both diagnosing and treating MS in the next five years.
Maitland also said his team at FSU is preparing to launch two new Multiple Sclerosis studies this fall, one focused on cognitive identification issues and the other evaluating a drug that could lessen fatigue for MS patients.
To keep up with the latest news as it develops, follow WCTV on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Nextdoor and X (Twitter).
Have a news tip or see an error? Write to us here. Please include the article’s headline in your message.
Be the first to see all the biggest headlines by downloading the WCTV News app. Click here to get started.
Copyright 2026 WCTV. All rights reserved.