Cheshire Community Set To Lace-Up and Step Out for Walk MS

CHESHIRE, Conn. — More than 6,000 Connecticut residents battle the effects of multiple sclerosis, a potentially debilitating disease that affects the central nervous system. In a show of support, each year hundreds of loved ones, friends, neighbors and co-workers throughout Cheshire and surrounding communities, to include New Haven and Hamden, lace up and step out in solidarity for a single cause: to end the devastating effects of MS. Cheshire High School will once again serve as the starting point for this year’s Walk MS, presented by Travelers, which will be held on Sunday, April 21. Check in opens at 8 a.m. and walkers will step out at 9 a.m. The 2012 Walk MS attracted over 10,000 participants statewide and raised a record amount of more than $1.38 million. The National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter, hopes to raise more than $1.4 million this year. Over 1,800 walkers took to the pavement in Cheshire last year. Together they raised more than $200,000. This year, the Cheshire planning committee hopes to raise $211,000. Sully’s Shamrocks was named Cheshire’s top team raising $23,670 last year. Top individual walker, Don Walsh, raised $14,585. “Each year Cheshire-area residents come out in large numbers to demonstrate support for those in their community battling multiple sclerosis,” said Karen E. Butler, National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter, vice president of communications. “Our Cheshire walk site planning committee members do an exceptional job of rallying the troops, bringing people together from all walks of life in a single effort to raise funds to find a cure.” At this year’s event, the Cheshire site will feature team photos, music, an action tent with cotton candy and popcorn machines, face painting, and other vendors are also in the works. The Rock Car Mascot and the Kennedy High School Cheerleaders will be making an appearance as well as a warm-up by a couple of Zumba Instructors and a demo provided by the Institute of Martial Arts, Joni’s Dance Team & a Do Wop Group. Funds raised by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Connecticut Chapter, through events, such as Walk MS, presented by Travelers, ensure ongoing scientific research to find better treatments and a cure, and provide vital programs and services offered by the chapter. Walk MS participants will walk at 12 different sites across the state Sunday, April 21. Lunch is provided compliments of Subway restaurants and Coca-Cola. Walk MS community partners include News 8, WUVN / WHTX Univision, Clear Channel Radio Connecticut, to include The River 105.9, Country 92.5, KISS 95.7, ESPN 1410 AM, KC 101.3, 960 WELI, and ESPN 1300 AM. Other community partners include 95.9 THE FOX, WCTY 97.7 and Associated Neurologists of Southern Connecticut, P.C. Newspapers include The Cheshire Herald and Connecticut Cruise News. To learn more about the 2013 Walk MS, presented by Travelers, or to register, please visit www.ctfightsms.org. To learn more about multiple sclerosis, its effects, and programs and services offered by the chapter to those living with MS by emailing programs@ctfightsms.org or visiting www.ctfightsms.org.