Multiple Sclerosis challenge accepted by St. Louis community and OsbornBarr: 50-mile walk and “Night at the Ballpark” raise more than $40,000 for Gateway MS Society

ST. LOUIS (June 4, 2013) – Our city walks for those affected by Multiple Sclerosis. More than 200 St. Louisians each pledged to raise a minimum of $1,000 for the annual MS Challenge Walk this past weekend.

Walkers participated in teams or as individuals to stroll around the Washington University campus, downtown sidewalks and right through Busch Stadium. Osborn Barr (O+B) kept spirits high by partnering with Lucas Park Grill to host a pre-game dinner for participants at their offices and sponsor the walkers to ‘Night at the Ballpark’ event where staff members joined walkers on their trip around the stadium.

“The Gateway MS Society is near and dear to the hearts of many community members and O+B team members who live with MS themselves or are affected by the disease through friends and family,” said Rhonda Ries , Chair of Communications Committee and Partner/CFO at Osborn Barr. “O+B is honored to support the walkers who dedicate their time to reach the ultimate goal of finding a cure.”

O+B team members were overwhelmed by the walkers who participated this year to raise money and awareness for the disease. Individual teams raised more than $41,000 for the Gateway MS Society.

Suzan Knese, VP/Chief Talent Officer knows firsthand how this organization supports those in need.

“The MS Society is such a great organization,” Knese said. When I was diagnosed almost fourteen years ago I was caught completely off guard. It comes and goes unpredictably, leaving people to wonder, ‘Will I become paralyzed, have spot blindness or have trouble walking? Will I be able to raise my family and continue my career?’ I had all of these thoughts and then some. These thoughts usually ending in ...am I just crazy to feel this way?”

 For those who suffer from MS, there is no cure - only uncertainty.

“I am so fortunate that the majority of my symptoms are in remission, however, many are not so lucky and these dollars are critical to raise money for support programs and ultimately...a cure,” Knese said. “I am so fortunate to work for OsbornBarr. They have provided this organization and me personally with so much encouragement and support.”

More than 2.1 million people around the world have been diagnosed with MS. The disease interrupts nerve signals in the brain and spinal cord, which leaves individuals unsure of how their bodies will function on a daily basis. The painful uncertainty of the disease interferes with the challenges of raising a family and completing everyday tasks. MS can cause spot blindness, inability to walk and even paralysis.

“Joining forces with such a highly motivated group of individuals was a rewarding experience,” Ries said. “With each step, we raised awareness. With each dollar, we created hope for a cure.”

ABOUT OSBORN BARR: O+B is agriculture and rural America's greatest advocate. Its focus is on helping clients build relationships, have conversations and engage with their audiences who work, live and play in rural America. The family of more than 165 professionals provides branding and communications expertise, social responsibility and advocacy initiatives. It also builds strategies and programs to effectively maximize multi-tiered sales and distribution channels. The company continues to build proprietary products and solutions through new technologies, content production and direct-to-farm programs. Osborn Barr is located in St. Louis and Kansas City and can be contacted via phone at 1 (888) 235-4332, or (314) 726-5511, or at www.osbornbarr.com.

ABOUT GATEWAY MS SOCIETY: The Gateway MS Society has helped fund the Multiple Sclerosis research program since 1955. The society supports more than 6,800 people affected by the disease in the 90-county service area throughout Missouri and Illinois. For more information, visit nationalmssociety.org/chapters/mos.