St. Albert is just one of 160 communities across the country that will be hosting the 10th Annual Enerflex MS Walk tomorrow but it will have added importance locally.
Canada has one of the highest incidences of the disease in the world and this province is at the top of the national rate. Multiple sclerosis is so prevalent here that some people call it Alberta’s Disease with more than 300 individuals per 100,000 population afflicted, equating to more than 11,000 Albertans.
MS is an autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system where the person’s body itself attacks the myelin surface of nerve fibres, distorting and stopping the ability of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord to communicate with each other. This results in any kind of neurological damage with disruptions to cognitive and physical functions too.
It primarily affects people between the ages of 15 and 40 and women three times more than men. There are many theories about its cause but nothing has been proven. Similarly, there is no cure.
That isn’t stopping Albertans from fighting back with events like tomorrow’s walk.
“We are hoping for a sunny day to celebrate our tenth annual Enerflex MS Walk in St. Albert,” said Kathy Mendes, the event’s manager. She added that about 500 people are expected to attend.
Spokesperson Julia Daniluck said that nothing, not even the forecasted rain, would stop her from getting out.
“We are hoping for nice weather but I will be there with snowshoes if necessary. We need to end MS as soon as possible. No form of weather will stop me from coming out and getting to the finish line.”
Apart from how many people could potentially benefit from this walking event, what makes it so special is that it features three different distances to accommodate participants of all abilities. Naturally, the course is fully wheelchair accessible.
Last year, the Enerflex MS Walk raised more than $2.1 million in Alberta, including $177,000 in St. Albert.
This is only one of several major fundraising events that the MS Society of Alberta and the Northwest Territories holds each year. The next one is the Rona MS Bike Tour, a weekend-long ride from Leduc to Camrose held in June.
The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada funds a large and respected research program that totals between $6 and $7 million annually. To learn more about the programs and services offered by the organization, please visit the Edmonton branch office at #150, 9405 - 50 St. or call 780-463-1190. There are 14 other chapters across the province.
10th Annual Enerflex MS Walk
Sunday at 9 a.m.<br />Millennium Park, Taché Street<br />3, 5, and 10 km routes<br />For more information visit www.mswalks.ca or call 1-800-268-7582
