Walk to aid in fight against MS
On April 30, people will gather together to show support for the fight against multiple sclerosis at the fourth annual Walk MS in Uniontown.
According to Dan Siegert, development coordinator for the National MS Society, about 400 people participated in last year’s event and about 500 are already registered for this year.
Siegert said that the organization hopes to raise about $40,000 at this year’s event.
“It (the money raised) goes to a lot of different places; it is research, programs and services and helping people with MS live their best life possible,” he said.
According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society about 2.3 million people, worldwide, have been diagnosed with MS.
Research conducted by the society found that people who are diagnosed with the disease may live about seven years less than the general population due to “disease complications and other medical conditions.”
The walk will be at the Uniontown Fire Department Social Hall on Dunbar Street in Uniontown.
Registration will be at 10 a.m. with the walk starting at 11 a.m.
“They are going to start and finish at the fire hall and they are going to walk around the streets in the area. It is going to be fully accessible,” said Siegert. “We will have a one mile and 5K option. Just walk at your own pace.”
The event will also feature a finish line ceremony, food, music and entertainment. There will also be vendors inside of the fire hall.
In addition to raising money to help those diagnosed with MS, Siegert said that the event is also about showing support for one another.
“The biggest thing is basically people coming together to help find a cure. That is why we are here, raising money,” he said. “Ninety-three percent of the people who participate, have a connection to MS. They come together as a community to do something about MS.”