Jayman Built MS Walk in Medicine Hat on Sunday

Brenda Rosychuk, manager of community fundraising for walk and bike programs in Western Canada with MS Canada, says the majority of walks across the country will take place on May 31.

“It’s really cool to see everybody participating throughout the day,” Rosychuk said.

“Atlantic Canada starts first because of the time zones, and then you’re seeing pictures come in all day long right across the country.”

The Medicine Hat walk will be held at Strathcona Island Park, with registration beginning at 10 a.m., opening ceremonies at 11 a.m., and the walk following shortly after.

Participants can choose between one-kilometre and five-kilometre walk routes.

Rosychuk said 72 participants had already registered for the Medicine Hat event by Thursday morning, close to the local goal of 84 walkers.

The local fundraiser has already surpassed $15,000 before the event, with organizers expecting a large portion of donations to arrive in the days leading up to the walk.

“We’re looking really good heading into the weekend,” Rosychuk said.

Participation in the walk is free, although organizers encourage fundraising through pledges and donations.

Participants who reach various fundraising milestones receive incentive items including T-shirts, fans, hats and sweaters.

Rosychuk said the money raised helps fund a broad range of programs and services aimed at improving the quality of life for Canadians living with MS.

Funds also support research into treatment, disease prevention and improving understanding of the neurological disease, which affects the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves.

“Over the past 75 years, MS Canada has invested more than $233 million into MS research,” Rosychuk said.

According to MS Canada, more than 90,000 Canadians are currently living with multiple sclerosis, with an average of 12 Canadians diagnosed every day. Women are approximately three times more likely to be diagnosed than men.

Rosychuk said the disease affects not only those diagnosed, but also families, friends and communities.

“We really are all touched by the disease,” Rosychuk said.

Along with Medicine Hat, walks are also taking place in several Alberta communities, including Calgary, Edmonton, Lethbridge, Red Deer and St. Paul.

In southwest Saskatchewan, Eastend will also host a volunteer-led MS Walk on Sunday.

Registration will begin at 1 p.m. at the Eastend Rink Complex. The walk is underway at 2 p.m.

The community is about 600 people, and has a goal of raising $11,000. As of Thursday morning, they were at $4,475.

Rosychuk says she expects both the Eastend and Medicine Hat walks are likely to reach their goals, contributing to the national goal of $4.4 million.

Registration information for all events is available online at mswalks.ca.

Registering online before the events is encouraged.

by Jesse Gill

Jayman Built MS Walk in Medicine Hat on Sunday

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