VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — It’s a big weekend locally for those of us living with Multiple Sclerosis in Hampton Roads. That’s because Walk MS kicks off in Newport News and Virginia Beach!
Multiple Sclerosis is an incurable disease that disrupts messaging between the brain and the body. There is no cure. However, money raised at Walk MS helps to fund research that gets us closer to a cure.
Clare Lorio, Senior Manager of Walk MS, told WAVY.com the National MS Society funded $19 million in research last year. She said more than $1 million of that came back to studies here in Virginia.
“That’s huge, but we’re also able to provide direct aid back to people living with MS for things like home and car modifications, something as simple as transportation to a medical appointment, access to mental health services. Last year, we were able to provide $3 million back to people living with MS, people affected by MS, and so programing that allows people to connect locally in our support groups and webinars and programing focused on people living with MS that people can drive from across the country, and that’s what we’re raising money for. You know, I started with the society 11 years ago. We had ten disease modifying treatments. We have over 25 now. That is a huge amount of progress in a very short amount of time. So, when people ask why we fundraise, that’s why we fundraise. We are making it easier for people to manage their symptoms,” said Lorio.
The National MS Society says more than 1 million people in the United States live with Multiple Sclerosis. This year’s theme of Walk MS is “A Cure is on the Line.” Lorio said you can expect a new experience at Walk MS this year.
“We’ve got a whole new branding. So, it’s a whole new way of looking at it. It can be bright and colorful and all of the energy, enthusiasm that we normally bring I think is just going to be amplified. I really like what you’ll see this year on the fundraising shirts. It’s ‘A cure is on the line,’ because it really is. We are moving closer.”
Lorio said Walk MS shows people who live with MS the support they have in the community. She says it is energetic, uplifting, and fun.
There are two Walk MS events in Hampton Roads this weekend.
WALK MS IN NEWPORT NEWS
Saturday, April 6, 2024
Newport News Park
13560 Jefferson Ave
Newport News, VA 23603
Site Opens: 9:00 am
Program Starts: 9:45 am
Walk Kickoff: 10:00 am
WALK MS IN VIRGINIA BEACH
Sunday, April 7, 2024
ODU VA Beach Higher Education Center
1881 University Dr
Lot 3
Virginia Beach, VA 23453
Site Opens: 12 p.m.
Program Starts: 12:45 p.m.
Walk Kickoff: 1 p.m.
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