Inspired author raising funds to support people with MS, will give away $1K at event on Saturday

Damon Smith, urban author and local rapper, also known as Mr. Hey Now of Freshout ENT, is boldly taking on a new role. While sharing his story of overcoming prison to chase his dreams, Smith is also advocating for people with Multiple Sclerosis, including his mother Mrs. Edna Jean Smith, who has battled this often debilitating disease for 30 years.

This Saturday, Smith and friends will raise funds for MS sufferers by hosting a heartfelt party celebrating his mother’s birthday, and giving away $1,000 to a lucky MS sufferer at the event. The give-away is a part of Smith’s effort called BaconMSPig. All the money brought in at the party, in addition to Damon’s personal funds, will go into a colorful piggy bank and given away at the event.

The fundraiser will take place Saturday, November 18, from 3pm to 5pm at the St. Sophia Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Florissant, Mo. “Everybody needs to understands the struggle of people with MS,” says Smith, 40. “That’s why we’re asking anybody who has been affected by this disease to come out. We have to shed some light on this.”

Even if you don’t know anyone personally with MS, Smith encourages you to attend the celebration and donate your funds. “There is no cure for MS,” Smith tells the American. “That’s why it’s so important that we raise funds and rally around people with MS to help them live the best live they possibly can.”

Blacks are at a higher risk for MS

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease that attacks a person’s central nervous system, and their entire life. Like Smith’s mother, people with this disease can suffer from a host of problems including muscle weakness, double vision, memory lapse, loss of bladder control, and numbness in certain parts of the body. While some cases are mild, others can be severe with many MS sufferers becoming wheelchair bound.

In the African-American community, there is a pervading myth that MS mainly affects whites, however this is truly a myth. Roughly 400,000 Americans currently have MS. Among them, the rate of MS is higher among blacks than their white counterparts. Blacks are actually at a higher of risk of getting MS than whites, and this is due to a nexus of environmental and individual factors.

Despite this, blacks tend to get diagnosed the latest and participate the least in medical research. Meanwhile, families such as Smith’s are left to suffer, not sure what to do, or where to turn.

“I will never understand what it is to have MS,” Smith says. “I do understand the emotional and mental toll it has taken on myself to watch the slow and painful deterioration of my mother, my creator.”

Shining a light in the dark

MS may be hard to understand, but it did inspire Smith to turn his own life around. At the time of his mother’s diagnosis, Smith was behind bars, serving a lengthy sentence for convictions racked up from years of hustling in St. Louis. The two-time formerly incarcerated Missouri native was devastated by the news and struggled with his inability to help his mother. In jail, Smith poured his heart out through lyrics, using rapping and writing to tell his own story. Smith’s mother pushed her son to write his reflections in a book and share it with the world. What resulted was a book released this past April titled “Loud” which paints a vivid picture of an everyday life of a hustler – as well as a second book, released in October, titled “142 Thoughts Of A Convicted Felon”. 142 Thoughts is an insightful and beautiful compilation of Smith’s moving poems, reflections, and sentiments while serving 17 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections.

During those 17 years, it was Smith’s mom who came to visit him in jail. Even through her illness, she would never turn down a call or letter, and always prayed for her son. Seeing his mother’s constant support despite her illness convinced Smith to do something great with his life after prison.

Now, Smith is shining a light. In July, the rapper purchased a piggy bank and named it BaconMSPig. You may have seen him on social media, where he has countless fans, or heard of him on independent radio. He’s been collecting donations all over town to fill up the pig, and culminate in the big giveaway at his mother’s birthday party.

“MS has my mom locked in her body,” he says. “Still, I must express all the love I have for her.”

The fundraiser will include his mom’s favorite foods, including winglets, mostaccioli and salad. There will also be a meet and greet, followed by an opening speech, cake with whipped icing and neapolitan ice cream.

“I hope to assist a MS suffer through this giveaway and let people know that there are others out here who understand and care,” says Smith. With the support of St. Louis, the budding writer and expressive soul plans to continue the giving care of the BaconMSPig and host bigger events such as MS walks and charity drives.

To learn more about the BaconMSPig fundraiser, call Damon Smith directly at (314) 223 – 2538.The event will take place Saturday, 3pm – 5pm at the St Sophia Health & Rehab Cente: 936 Charbonier Rd, Florissant, MO 63031.

Both of Smith books are available on Amazon.