Get Ready for the 2013 Mahoning Valley MS Walk

Grab your walking shoes and get ready for the 2013 Mahoning Valley MS Walk! As we approach our fifth year of participating in this important fundraiser, I am following the mantra – “Go big or go home!” Seriously, though, it humbles me by how many friends and family members have supported our family in this journey.

The following are all unfortunate facts about MS. Did you know that approximately 400,000 Americans have MS? Did you know that most are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, and about two thirds are women? Did you know the disease is more frequently found among people raised in colder climates? Did you know that there are no cures for MS? The good news is there are now FDA-approved medications that have been shown to "modify" or slow down the underlying course of MS.

Although MS has indeed slowed down my mom greatly, impaired her walking and made her dangerously unstable on her feet, she has thankfully been able to continue her passion of teaching eighth grade at St. Joseph/Immaculate Heart of Mary. She uses her wheelchair now more than ever, but it actually has been a blessing because it allows her to continue to enjoy activities that otherwise she would not have the stamina to do. She also continues to use her rollator-transporter at home and to occasionally navigate the hallways at school. Mom continues to take Ampyra, which is designed to improve walking. Unfortunately, none of the newest drugs for MS are directed at her type of MS - Primary Progressive. She continues to rely heavily on the wireless foot-drop system for mobility that my Mom and Dad purchased a couple of years ago. All and all, there is much to be thankful for.

The National MS Society will be hosting the Mahoning Valley MS Walk on Saturday, April 27, 2013. The MS Society has kept the same location as last year - the Mahoning Valley Scrappers Eastwood Field and KV’s Krew will, once again, be participating in this event. Our team goal is to raise $7,500. We have already collected $3,460 at our fundraising dinner Stomping Out MS - Boots and Beers in November 2012. So, our remaining goal for the MS Walk is only $4,040! We realize that these are tough economic times for many people, so please do not feel obligated to donate. Just knowing so many people care about my mom and are pulling for her as she battles this dreadful disease, is tremendous support in itself.

Walking information

If you would like to join our team and “walk” for my Mom, please e-mail or mail me by Friday, April 12 – if you participated last year and your address and/or phone number have not changed, you just need to send me your name AND your t-shirt size if you DO NOT have the shirt from the 2011 or 2012 walk. At any time, you can log on to our National MS Society KV’s Krew team web site to register as a member for KV's Krew for the 2012 MS Walk - http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Walk/OHAWalkEvents/2069308034?pg=team&fr_id=19522&team_id=315153

Donation information

If you are unable to participate that day, but would like to make a monetary donation, please feel free to mail your donation to me (address is listed below – check made payable to National MS Society) by Friday, April 12. At any time, you can log on to our National MS Society KV’s Krew team web site to donate to KV's Krew for the 2013 MS Walk -http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Walk/OHAWalkEvents/2069308034?pg=team&fr_id=19522&team_id=315153

In advance, I thank you for your consideration to “walk” and/or for donating to KV’s Krew as we “walk” for a cure.