West Hartford Community Prepares To Lace Up & Step Out For A 19th Year

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. — Multiple sclerosis affects thousands of Connecticut residents, forever changing lives and threatening mobility and independence. In a show of support, each year hundreds of loved ones, friends, neighbors and co-workers throughout West Hartford and surrounding areas lace up and step out in solidarity for a single cause: to end the devastating effects of MS.

The University of Connecticut Hartford campus will, for a 19th year, host the Travelers Walk MS Sunday, May 4. Check-in and registration begin at 8 a.m., with participants stepping out at 9 a.m. A complimentary lunch is provided by Subway and Coca-Cola.

Last year 1,322 West Hartford residents helped raise $160,933 toward the 2007 $1.1 million goal. In particular, the Walk MS title sponsor and team, Traveler’s, led by captain Kate Kane, raised almost $27,000.

“Each year West Hartford 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 West Hartford 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. About 6,000 residents statewide, including more than 1,424 Greater Harford residents, 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 and 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