Norwalk and Westport Communities Prepare To Lace Up & Step Out

NORWALK, Conn. — This year the residents of Norwalk will join the 11 other communities across Connecticut hosting a Travelers Walk MS event, held in support of the more than 6,000 Connecticut residents battle the effects of multiple sclerosis (MS) daily.

In a show of support, each year hundreds of loved ones, friends, neighbors and co-workers throughout Norwalk and surrounding communities — including Westport — lace up and step out in solidarity for a single cause: to end the devastating effects of MS.

For the first time this year the annual Travelers Walk MS will take place at Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk, Sunday, May 4, as well as at 11 other sites across the state. Check-in and registration begin at 8 a.m., and participants will step out at 9 a.m. Lunch will be provided compliments of Subway and Coca-Cola.

Last year 1,416 Westport and Norwalk participants helped raise $248,000 toward the 2007 $1.1 million goal. Top teams included The Walkie Talkies, Sacred Hearts for Hope and Team Ember, who combined have raised more than $75,000. This year’s goal is for at least 1,500 walkers to participate in the hopes of raising $276,000.

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system. The cause is unknown and, as a result, there currently is no cure. Symptoms can include, among other things, numbness and tingling in the limbs, difficulties with vision and speech, stiffness and, in some severe cases, total paralysis. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot be predicted. More than 400,000 Americans nationwide are diagnosed with MS.

3/18/08

Contact: Karen E. Butler
Vice President, Communications
Phone: 860.714.2300, ext. 230
E-mail: kbutler@ctfightsMS.org
Cell Phone: 860.997.4487