The early morning dew glazed over Point State Park as Pittsburgh locals gathered to ban together to walk three miles in support of Multiple Sclerosis

Walk MS took place on Apr. 16 at 7 a.m. where attendees walked for one to three miles. People who participated could create a team or participate individually to raise money prior to the walk to support the mission to cure MS.

Sarah Clew from Moon Township, Pa. has been participating in the MS walk every year in support of her mom and has had the best experiences.

“This is something I do every year for my mom who has lived with Multiple Sclerosis for over 30 years. It’s a complicated disease and I have seen her struggle with it” Clew said.

Walk MS is an organization that raises money for Multiple sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable disease that attacks the central nervous system. It’s a disease that impacts the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves, which make up the central nervous system and controls everything we do. The cause of MS is unknown, but something triggers the immune system to attack the Central Nervous System.

Some people with MS may have only mild symptoms. Others may lose their ability to see clearly, write, speak, or walk when communication between the brain and other parts of the body becomes disrupted. Common symptoms include fatigue, bladder and bowel problems, pain, cognitive and mood changes such as depression, muscular changes and visual changes.

Many people with MS are able to walk in this event and they have friends, family and supporters to walk with them and in support of them. “So, everything about today was for her. I had a ton of friends and family participate whether it was sharing my post, donating, walking, and supporting in any way possible.” Clew said.

Walk MS was created to empower survivors and others dealing with the condition. Walk MS is your day, and we want to celebrate you in style with a complimentary “I Live with MS” bandana as part of the program.

On the day of the event, people dealing with MS went to Living with MS areas to learn about Society programs and resources, including self-help groups and MS Navigators. Their sponsors such as UPMC also had booths to connect people to resources and research updates to help everyone navigate life with MS.

But Walk MS has built and created to inspire patients to continue working hard on their journey to recovery.

“I have seen her turn everything she has experienced into something positive, and she truly inspires me every day,” Clew said.

Walk MS Pittsburgh raised $319,532 of its goal of $383,000 and had 2,061 participants. “My team in total raised 2,800 dollars! I was honestly overwhelmed by the love and support I received, and it reminded me how lucky I am to have all these amazing people in my life,” Clew said.

Walk MS brings people together to cure MS for every single person. Whether they walk, volunteer, or donate, everyone has the power to change the world for people with MS. According to the MS website, a volunteer Melody said,

“I enjoy Volunteering every year at Walk MS because it’s great to know you’re helping make the event fun and successful for all. I love seeing all the participants come together for a great cause.”

There is still no cure for MS but new disease-modifying therapies for multiple sclerosis can help slow disease progression. Some experimental therapies may show promise in treating the disease, but treatment can help manage it.