National Multiple Sclerosis Society Walk to create a world free of MS

Walk to help ensure others can continue to walk.
 

On April 17, 2010 the Albuquerque chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society is hosting their 25th annual walk-a-thon in Tiguex Park to raise money for research, education and direct financial assistance for those who suffer from multiple sclerosis. The park is located next to the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science.

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease that attacks the central nervous system and is often disabling. It may start as numbness and tingling in the limbs or it can be as severe as paralysis or loss of vision. One frequent symptom is extreme fatigue.  The progress, severity and specific symptoms are unpredictable and vary from person to person. About 2,500 to 3,000 people in New Mexico and El Paso battle with multiple sclerosis every day.

The uncertainty that people experience while seeking a diagnosis continues indefinitely with this disease, said Maggie Schold, development and special events coordinator of the New Mexico Chapter. One research project currently funded by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society is looking at the lesion pattern in the brain to determine how the disease will progress for different people.

"It feels like I can shoot electricity out of my finger tips," said Patricia (Patty) Franceschini, age 51 who was diagnosed one year ago with multiple sclerosis. "On some days my fingers are numb and I have a hard time typing or picking things up."

"It is a fairly invisible disease until it progresses far," Schold said. "You don't see the fatigue and numbness."

Franceschini and others are gathering friends together to form teams for the walk. The walk is about creating a sense of community, celebrating how far research has already come, and  raising an additional $165,000 through this and similar walks statewide to help further research, Schold said. However, participants do not have to raise funds or pay and entry fee to walk in the event.
 
In addition to funding research, the money raised at the walk-a-thon will be used to provide financial assistance to people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Schold said the program looks for in-kind donations of help building ramps, batteries for scooters and anything else they can partner with local businesses to obtain, but when that does not work, the fund can provide up to $500 a year in direct financial assistance.

Another avenue the society uses to help people with multiple sclerosis is to provide navigators to help them learn how to obtain Social Security benefits or how to help them explain the disease to other doctors or family members. To spread the resources further, the society  also uses teleconference educational seminars.

To sign up a team for the walk, or to give a donation, visit the society's Web site.

- by Julie Medina, Albuquerque Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Julie Medina

Julie Medina has experience as a reporter at the Albuquerque Journal and has written freelance articles for the Albuquerque Tribune, Albuquerque the Magazine, New Mexico Magazine and New Mexico Kids Magazine. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in print journalism from the University of New Mexico in 2008. She has lived in Albuquerque since 1984 and believes it is best to remember to play like a tourist in your own hometown so you don't forget the vast culture around you.