MS Walk – a positive note about a ruthless disease

On Sunday, April 28, 2013 I participated in the Manhattan MS Walk. This marked the 25th anniversary of the event, and I have been walking in it for almost half of that time. In that period, I have raised USD 640,000, which makes me one of the nation’s largest fundraiser.

This year was special to me, since my mother passed away last Valentine’s Day from complications from Multiple Sclerosis. She bravely fought the illness for over 20 years, and was an inspiration to everyone, who was fortunate enough to have known her. She never stopped looking on the positive side, and her advice, wise or tongue-in-cheek, was sought by many.

The Walk is a large and successful gathering: 6,000+ people raising more than three million dollars. It does not discriminate for age (plenty of strollers, and I was joined by my 7 year old myself), race, religion (The National Network of Arab American Communities was heavily represented and walked alongside a biker gang from Upstate New York), or sports affiliation.

Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system). At this time there is no known cure.

About 400,000 people in the United States, and 2.5 million worldwide, live with MS, and I am sure that none of us are more than a few degrees separated from someone.

Think about it, and next time you have an opportunity, get involved. There are several events each year, in which you can figure as a participant, a volunteer or a donor.