LAKELAND - After two years of raising funds in a mostly online format, the MS Walk is returning to St. Paul on May 29, aiming to raise thousands of dollars to help Canadians battling multiple sclerosis.
In the past, the event has drawn hundreds of people to St. Paul - including about 375 participants in 2019, the last year the event was held prior to the pandemic. More than 45 teams had raised a reported $90,000 that year.
"We are so excited to be able to connect with our community and surrounding communities again in collective action to raise money for people living with and affected by MS and to create much needed awareness," says Brenda Rosychuk, who now has an new title as Western Canada Lead, Community Fundraising with the MS Society of Canada. Rosychuk is based in St. Paul and has been involved with the walk for a number of years.
This year's nation-wide goal is to raise $4 million dollars, says Rosychuk.
According to information available on the MS Society's website, the St. Paul Jayman BUILT MS Walk has already raised over $33,000 of its $50,000 goal for 2022. Of course, with a couple weeks to go, this is certianly not the final tally. Ten teams were registered for the walk, as of Friday.
Opening ceremonies for the May 29 walk are set for 11 a.m. at the St. Paul Recreation Centre. Participants are encourages to walk, run, bike or complete the 5 km route in whichever way they are able to.
While the funds raised are crucial to helping those with MS, "Registering for MS Walk is often the first introduction Canadians affected by MS have to the wider MS community," explains Rosychuk. "This community-driven event unites all who are affected by multiple sclerosis and shows those living with the disease that they do not have to face this alone."
In the past, the St. Paul-based MS Walk has been described as "the gold standard of community based walks," according to past representatives from the MS Society. In 2017, it was noted that the St. Paul walk is known across the country for how much was being raised per capita in the region.
Every May, the MS Society of Canada and communities across the country come together to hold events "to build awareness for multiple sclerosis and raise funds through MS Walk," and each individual is encouraged to do so in their own way.
There is still time to get involved in the upcoming walk. Visit mswalks.ca to find more information, create a team, gather donations, and more.
Facts about MS
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. Since that includes the brain, spinal cord and optic nerve, MS can affect vision, memory, balance, and mobility.
- Over 90,000 Canadians live with MS. On average, 12 Canadians are diagnosed with MS every day.
- Approximately one in every 400 Canadians live with MS.
- MS is the most common neurological disease affecting young adults in Canada.
- 60 per cent of adults diagnosed with MS are between the ages of 20 and 49 years old. In Canada, 43 is the average age of MS diagnosis.
- Money raised ensures people affected by MS receive quality access and support that they need in whichever community they live in.
- Funds raised through the MS Walk also provide support for MS research and services dedicated to achieving a world free of MS and improving the quality of life for all people affected by the disease.
