Nelson MS Walk raises more than $6,600
By Contributor
Nelsonites flocked to Lakeside Park Sunday to raise more than 6,600 to end Canada’s disease — multiple sclerosis — during the Scotiabank MS Walk.
The event was a success thanks to combined efforts of participants, volunteers, staff, and sponsors.
Nelson was joined by 17 other communities throughout British Columbia, all walking and raising funds for critical research into the cause, treatment and cure of multiple sclerosis, and services for those affected by the disease.
The event, organized by the MS Society of Canada, took place in May all across the country with more than 30,000 Canadians participating in 125 different communities.
Participants included people living with MS and their friends and families, along with others in the community supporting the cause. Walkers gathered under sunny skies at Lakeside Park for opening ceremonies with emcee Dayna French.
The event provided kid’s activities, including stilt walkers and giant bubbles, and a group warm up of Zumba led by Natacha Perez. Walkers then headed out on the route for a 3km or 5km walk. Participants were entertained by musicians playing along the route, and inspired by “Carnations of Hope”.
These signs in the shape of the flower could be purchased in advance and messages written on them, then the signs were “planted” along the route to inspire Walkers.
MS is an unpredictable disease that affects different people in different ways. The effects can be physical, cognitive, and financial. In addition to raising funds, the MS Walk in Nelson aimed to raise awareness of the symptoms of MS by including rest stops along the route with unique “mission moment” activities providing participants with a sense of what the symptoms of MS feel like.
These included throwing a ball at a target, while wearing swim goggles coated with Vaseline, to simulate blurred vision, and passing signs on the route with jumbled lettering to simulate confusion and cognitive impairment. This demonstrated that things that may seem simple can be very difficult for someone living with MS.
For more information about the Scotiabank MS Walk, the public may visit mswalks.caor call 1‑604‑689‑3144. To learn more about MS and the activities of the MS Society of Canada the public may visit mssociety.ca.
