Star Gas Products, Inc. Supports the Fight Against Multiple Sclerosis

POUGHKEEPSIE. NY–This past February 14th was more than just Valentine’s Day for family and employees of Star Gas Products Inc. It was a celebration that marked the second year anniversary of Maribeth S. Muellerleile (granddaughter, daughter, and niece of the owners) returning home after being hospitalized due to an exacerbation of multiple Sclerosis.

“We realized how life changing having MS can be when Maribeth was diagnosed. Our family saw first hand that MS really is unpredictable and can change your life overnight” said Richard Muellerleile, Maribeth’s father, president and co-owner of Star Gas, a local propane gas company. “We realized that we wanted to help others who live with this disease and we are so grateful to be able to join the movement against MS.” Star Gas and the Muellerleile family have partnered with the National MS Society Upstate New York Chapter. Star Gas has decided to spread the word about MS and let people know that the National MS Society is available for help and support.

This special awareness campaign kicked off on February 14 and will continue indefinitely. Star Gas has emblazoned the National MS Society’s “We joined the movement” logo on all of their delivery trucks along with a specially designed ribbon of support designed by Maribeth. Additionally, orange MS awareness support bracelets are available at Star Gas headquarters for a $1.00 donation, with all proceeds going to the National MS Society Upstate New York Chapter. Star Gas is furthering awareness of MS by including literature about MS and the National MS Society in all their new customer packets. Maribeth and her friends and family will also participate in Walk MS at The Culinary Institute of America on May, 2, 2010.

Mr. Muellerleile adds, “We hope that by spreading awareness of what MS is, and how people living with MS and people caring for others living with MS can get support through the National MS Society, the movement to create a world free of MS will gain momentum and research funded by the National MS Society will find a cause and cure for MS. We hope someday, families will eventually never have to hear the words ‘you have MS.’”

Star Gas encourages everyone affected by MS to join the movement. “Each time you see one of our trucks in your neighborhood, and you see the MS Society logo, remember that there are many ways you can help. Stop by our office on 33 Fulton Street (near Marist College), to donate or pick up additional information on multiple sclerosis. Visit the National MS Society’s website to learn more about volunteering, advocating for policy changes that affect people with

About Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis, an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system, interrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted, but advances in research and treatment are moving us closer to a world free of MS. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with at least two to three times more women than men being diagnosed with the disease. MS affects more than 400,000 people in the U.S. and over 2.1 million worldwide. Upstate New York is a hot spot for the disease with an incidence rate five times the national rate.

About the National Multiple Sclerosis Society
MS stops people from moving. The National MS Society exists to make sure it doesn’t. We help each person address the challenges of living with MS. Since 1947, (coincidentally, the same year Star Gas Inc. was founded) the National MS Society has invested $610 million in MS research. This research has enhanced more than one million lives to move us closer to a world free of MS, the Society also invested over $50 million to support 440 research projects around the world. We are people who want to do something about MS NOW. Join the movement at wwww.msupstateny.org

View Full Press Release

February 18, 2010
Contact: Stephanie Bradshaw
Tel. 518-464-0112
Email: sbradshaw@msupstatenyalb.org