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Naperville Riverwalk attracts Lt. Gov, more than 1,500 individuals for Walk MS 2016

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Above / After the orange ribbon was cut for the start of the Walk MS 2016, this youngster joined his grandmother and more than 1,500 participants as they followed the winding brick path in search of “hoping… believing… moving… toward a world free of MS.”

Overcast. Occasionally misting. 40-something degrees.  Nothing dampened the spirits of participants wearing bright orange attire, all of whom arrived at the Naperville Riverwalk Grand Pavilion for the Walk MS 2016 on May 1.

Incredibly, more than 1,500 faithful friends, family, neighbors, co-workers and supporters teamed up to walk in the morning chill in support of finding a cure for multiple sclerosis, a chronic, unpredictable disease of the central nervous system.

The annual Walk MS for Greater Illinois is one of many events taking place throughout the state and the nation to rally for awareness and funding.

Organizers project that Walk MS 2016 activities will raise more than $2.7 million for MS research in Illinois, and more than 12,000 participants and volunteers are expected at 11 statewide sites.

According to the news release, more than 20,000 people in Illinois and 2.3 million worldwide live with MS.

The National MS Society works “to ensure that all individuals affected by MS can live their best lives by stopping MS in its tracks, restoring what has been lost, and ending MS forever.”

Photo Galley includes a sampling of 2016 Walk MS in Naperville. Click any photo to enlarge.

[shareprints gallery_id=”58628″ gallery_type=”squares” gallery_position=”pos_center” gallery_width=”width_100″ image_size=”small” image_padding=”2″ theme=”dark” image_hover=”false” lightbox_type=”slide” comments=”false” sharing=”true”]”I have MS,” said Michelle Hedl, a familiar face in the crowd, who has participated in the walk 12 times, almost since she was first diagnosed with the incurable disease.  Marked with a sign, “Michelle’s Magnificent Muses,” her tent was set up among 15 other ones where she expressed appreciation to her teammates as they arrived to walk and lend their support.

Britt Nagy, spokesperson for the National MS Society, provided a warm welcome with a few details about the annual fundraiser for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater Illinois Chapter.

The National MS Society is the largest private funder of MS research in the world, she said.

Thanks to the success of the walk over the years, every individual with MS can live with connections to information, resources and other with shared experiences via the Society’s Information Resource Center.

“Last year, the Society invested $54 million to support more than 380 new and ongoing research projects,” Nagy continued, crediting Walk MS for a large portion of the funding. She said the goal for 2016 is $2.7 million.

After the National Anthem was sung by Georgann Grecco, the dedicated crowd, many on teams with names and slogans, gave her a rousing applause.

Illinois Lieutenant Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti cheers for a cure

ms-sanquinetti
Lt. Governor Evelyn Sanquinetti reminded attendees that every individual living with MS needs personalized support because every diagnosis and treatment is different.

“Look around you for participants who are wearing light green ‘Living with MS’ shirts,” Nagy continued. “This is what Walk MS is all about. Thank you to everyone who is part of this program…”

Next Illinois Lieutenant Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti, a “very special guest and friend of the National MS Society,” joined Nagy on stage. Sanquinetti is known for her support of the National MS Society, often appearing at special events such as the Walk MS, Dinner of Champions, Women on the Move luncheon, and the Illinois Lottery press conference promoting the MS Project instant-win ticket.

“…The Lieutenant Governor herself was diagnosed with MS in 2007,” Nagy said. “Since that time, she won a seat on the Wheaton City Council in 2011, and in 2014 became the state’s first Latina elected Lieutenant Governor.”

Following brief remarks to thank and inspire the teams, mindful that everyone living with MS needs personalized support because every diagnosis and treatment is different, Sanquinetti meandered through the park as she made her way over to the start line at the entrance to Sindt Woods. That’s where an orange ribbon was set, ready to be cut to begin the walk along the Riverwalk and through parts of downtown Naperville.

So far, 2016 Fundraising at $230,000

Before sounding the horn to begin the walk, Nagy announced the top five fundraising individuals and teams for 2016, saying their combined efforts totaled $230,000.

As of April 28, 2016, the top individual fundraisers were Dolores Bopp Potterton ($62,114), Ginny Grecco ($12,230), Mark Tiger ($10,873), Jim and Nicole Scalzo ($9,522) and Michael Winberg ($9,470).

The five teams that raised the most this year were Walking with Dolores, Team Caption Dolores Bopp Patterson ($68,386); Colleen’s Corps, Team Captain Beth Forstneger ($19,375); Team Gub, Team Captain Ginny Grecco ($14,695); MSketeers, Team Captain Susan Ubis-Manos ($14,487); and Team Oscar, Team Captain Mark Tiger ($13,153).

Team Walking with Dolores was invited to move to the front of the line. The orange ribbon was cut just as the horn sounded. And it took quite some time for more than 1,500 participants to cross under the start/finish line.

Many walkers stopped to take instant photos with costumed super heroes and cheer-leading Sanquinetti, stationed at the start line to inspire the large crowd.

The celebration continued throughout the morning with music, refreshments, information booths and other activities, thanks to enthusiastic volunteers and generous sponsors.

What is Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?

According to the National MS Society website, “Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, unpredictable disease of the central nervous system (CNS), which is made up of the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. It is thought to be an immune-mediated disorder, in which the immune system incorrectly attacks healthy tissue in the CNS.

“MS can cause many symptoms, including blurred vision, loss of balance, poor coordination, slurred speech, tremors, numbness, extreme fatigue, problems with memory and concentration, paralysis, and blindness and more. These problems may come and go or persist and worsen over time. Most people are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, although individuals as young as 2 and as old as 75 have developed it.”

For more answers to frequently asked questions, click here.

 

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PN Editor
An editor is someone who prepares content for publishing. It entered English, the American Language, via French. Its modern sense for newspapers has been around since about 1800.

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