ST. PAUL – On a sunny Sunday morning, Lagasse Park in St. Paul bustled as members of the community gathered for the 2023 St. Paul Jayman BUILT MS Walk on May 28. The event brought them together, united under a common goal – to raise awareness and funding for multiple sclerosis (MS).
MS is a disease that erodes the body’s ability to communicate with the brain and function normally, affecting vision, memory, balance, and mobility.
“One of the reasons we are all here today is that MS impacts all Canadians,” Brenda Rosychuk, western Canada lead for community fundraising for MS Canada, told the crowd of over 50 people during the opening ceremony.
She added MS also affects not only the lives of those living with the disease, but their family and friends as well. Canada has one of the highest rates of MS in the world, with over 90,000 Canadians living with it and about 12 Canadians are diagnosed each day, said Rosychuk.
“And today, we walk with them,” she said.
Living with MS
Among the attendees include Corinne Lotoski, who has been fundraising for MS, even prior to 2008 when the MS Walk began in St. Paul, in Edmonton and St. Albert. Lotoski was also diagnosed with MS over 30 years ago when she was 15 years old.
When asked how she dealt with the disease, as there is no cure for MS, she said, “I have MS, but MS doesn’t have me.”
While there is no cure, “hopefully, one day, there will be,” she said, adding that “the more funds we raise, the better.”
Describing how she lived with MS, it has gotten better as she grew older. Then, recalling the past, she added that as a teenager, “I had terrible flare ups... I had lost my vision completely in an eye more than once,” for example.
Also, “I’ve been numb from like a leg or an arm... from my head to my toes,” she said. Lotoski has undergone medication, such as intravenous (IV) treatment every six hours for three days, or a heavy dose of prednisone.
“I held off having kids [too] because I was scared to get pregnant, get tired, and worn down,” she said, prior to her neurologist confirming she will be okay. So, “I did it... and I’m so happy I did because I have two amazing daughters now that are 17 and 19.”
Lotoski is now doing “great.” She runs, works out, and “I don’t let it control me.”
She encourages others to remain positive, reach out to people, and ask for help, as well as to look into medications. Lotoski began with injections in her late teens. “Now I take an oral medication, and it’s so much nicer than being a human pincushion,” she added with a laugh.
Lotoski thanked all those who have given their support for the local MS walks, as well as those who have given her their personal support. “I have amazing support, and sponsors, and people that are always there in my corner and I thank them for it.”
Fundraisers
Speaking of support for MS, Lotoski was one of those recognized during the opening ceremony. Rosychuk gave recognition to a number of fundraisers for their work, including those from 2019 when the last MS Walk in St. Paul happened before pandemic lockdowns moved the annual event virtually.
This includes Lotoski, who raised $15,012 in 2019, Tracy Koluk who raised $$15,022, Michael Healey who raised $10,835, Stella Purdy who raised $20,575.
Stella Purdy was also the top raising individual for 2023 raising $13,088 as of June 1, and the top fundraising team went to “Team MS Ain’t Purdy” which raised $48,136. Beverly Gallant was also awarded as the top rookie.
Rosychuk thanked the St. Paul and Lakeland community for their support since “our inception in 2008,” adding the community’s dedication, support, and fundraising continue to find groundbreaking research across the nation.
According to Rosychuk, MS Canada currently funds 101 research initiatives totaling an investment of $25 million. In addition, continued funding also supports many essential programs that help support people living with MS, such as the MS Knowledge Network, Quality of Life Equipment program, and peer support programs.
Maureen Miller, Mayor of the Town of St. Paul, also spoke to the MS Walk participants, stating that, “Today, we not only want to raise funds, but also to raise hope.”
“Each step we take represents a tangible action towards finding a cure, and every dollar raised brings us one step closer” to transforming lives, said Miller, before giving recognition to those who work “tirelessly” to improve treatments to MS such as researchers and medical professionals.
She also thanked all the sponsors and volunteers to make the event possible.
“Let’s walk with determination, compassion, and with the firm belief that coming together – we can make a lasting impact. Together, we are stronger.”
