This Saturday a group will walk three miles to raise money to fight for those who no longer can.
The Ohio Buckeye Chapter of the National MS Society will host the annual Walk MS at 10 a.m. to raise funds to combat the chronic and often disabling disease.
Multiple sclerosis attacks the central nervous system and can present symptoms ranging from numbness to paralysis and loss of vision, according to the society’s website.
After raising $7,405 last year, the goal of the event is to raise $8,000 this year, said Jennifer Hamilton, executive vice president of marketing and outreach for the Ohio Buckeye Chapter.
Registration for the event begins at 9 a.m. and the walk lasts a few hours. It stretches three miles along the Hocking Adena Bikeway.
Carol Dawley, a Nelsonville resident who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1985, said Walk MS gave her a way to battle her disease. She said the walk, which she has participated in for 10 years, has been a source of strength.
“It’s what I need to do to better myself because we are raising money for research and programs that combat the disease,” Dawley said.
Before she began participating in Walk MS, she tried many other methods to help cope with the disease, but none benefitted her as much—so she decided to support it as much as possible.
The Athens Walk MS event has been steadily gaining popularity over the years, with attendance increasing from about 20 to 30 walkers to sometimes more than 100 and growing from a solitary tent along the path of the walk to the entirety of the Athens Community Center, 701 E. State St.
“People were so dedicated that they used to walk during rain, snow or wind,” said Dawley. “Now ... they don’t have to.”
There are currently 53 reported cases of multiple sclerosis in Athens County, but Hamilton said there are likely many who have not been counted.
“Walk MS is important for the people with MS and for the (public) because it is such a large population of people (living with MS) in Athens and not many people know about it,” said Dawley.
There are currently 38 people registered for the Athens Walk MS event, but about 130 people total are needed and more support is always welcome. It is important to spread awareness in Athens community, Hamilton said.
“In addition to raising critical funds for people with MS, the Walk MS events bring awareness to the community and brings the community together,” she said.
cw105510@ohiou.edu
