On Sunday, many citizens from the city of Chicago gathered in the Centennial Park for a Multiple Sclerosis (MS) fundraising walk. The event was created to raise awareness of the disease and raise funds to help find a cure.
MS is a disease that affects the central nervous system. It can range from mild to severe and usually involves vision problems, muscle weakness, and numbness. Cognitive issues, dizziness, and fatigue can also be a part of the lives of people fighting it.
Walk MS is an event held in Chicago every year in order to raise funds for MS fighters and to engage people in raising awareness of Multiple Sclerosis. This year, it was held at Centennial Park and walkers were able to go along and enjoy the Sunday in routes from 1.5 miles to 6.5 miles. The activity included live music, food, and activities for children.
Walkers are usually people who are connected to MS. They go to the fundraising activity in order to support friends or family members that have been struggling with MS for years.
A colorful Centennial Park
Teams of walkers enjoyed drinks, pizza and chicken wings mostly donated by local restaurants while they walked around the perimeter of the park, that is 200-acre long. The Centennial Park straddles the tracks of the Chicago railroad.
Although Walk MS is just one of the several fundraising activities that took place in the windy city, for the last 10 years, the walk has invited the entire community of Chicago to participate in a journey that feels almost like a party. The ambiance was provided by Audiomatic, a band that connects with the cause.
Walking can make a difference
“Walk MS” is fundraising project designed to help the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and is actually the largest event held in the name of this cause. It has raised nearly $900.000 for people living with Multiple Sclerosis, and last year raised more than $2.6 million.
The funds go mainly to MS research, facilitate professional education and provide programs and services to help people with MS move their lives forward. Raising not only money but awareness is also an important goal of the event. Participating in Walk MS can actually make a difference in the way people understand the disease. Getting involved in the fundraising events are also a great way to get to know people living with MS.
Walking can make a difference when it raises funds enough to help end multiple sclerosis forever and that is Walk MS wants to achieve.