New London and Groton Communities Prepare To Lace Up & Step Out For A 12th Year

NEW LONDON, Conn. — 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 New London and surrounding communities, including — Norwich and Groton — lace up and step out in solidarity for a single cause: to end the devastating effects of MS.

Mitchell College will, for the second year, host the Travelers Walk MS, Sunday, May 4. 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 628 Groton and New London participants helped raise $93,646 toward the 2007 $1.1 million goal.

"Each year New London and Groton area residents come out in large numbers to demonstrate support for those in their community battling multiple sclerosis," said Karen E. Butler, National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter vice president of communications. "Our New London walk site planning committee members do an exceptional job rallying the troops, bringing people together from all walks of life in a single effort to raise funds to find a cure."

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 400 residents of New London County live with the baffling and unpredictable effects of multiple sclerosis. More than 400,000 Americans nationwide are diagnosed with MS.

The National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter expects the 2008 Travelers Walk MS, to raise more than $1.5 million. Additional partners stepping out in support include: Acorda & Serono. For more information or to register, please call (860) 714-WALK. To learn more, listen to 96.5 TIC, 95.9 The FOX and 97.7 WCTY Country favorites or watch WTNH News Channel 8 and My TV 9.

NOTE TO MEDIA
For More Information
Contact Karen Butler
Vice President of Communications
Phone: 860.714.2300, ext. 230
kbutler@ctfightsMS.org