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North Battleford MS Walk planned for Sunday

May 25, 2018 | 2:00 PM

Battlefords residents will have an opportunity to show their support for people living with Multiple Sclerosis by taking part in the annual walk fundraiser planned for this Sunday.

MS Society of Canada, Saskatchewan division development assistant Kat Matlock is involved in organizing the event and said she hopes to see a good turnout.

“It’s a disease that affects not only the people who live with MS but also the families who come together to manage the realities of the disease,” she said. “So it affects everyone. It’s important to recognize that, to raise awareness and raise funds.”

Funds raised from the event will benefit research and also help support local MS Society programs and services in the province. Some of the programs available for people with MS include yoga and weight training.

Matlock said Canada has one of the highest rates of MS in the world. Approximately one in every 340 Canadians live with MS. Canadian women are three times more likely to develop MS than men.

“It’s one of those diseases that are unpredictable,” Matlock said. “That’s why we are still funding research, and trying to figure out the different causes.”

The goal for this year’s local walk is to raise $11,500, a little less than last year’s total of $11,900.

“Our goal is a little bit less than [2017],” Matlock said. “We just take into account sometimes people have bigger fundraisers, so we like to set a more realistic goal.”

So far about 30 people are registered to take part. Matlock said usually from 50 to 60 individuals participate locally.

The MS Walk will start at Lawrence Elementary School at 1942 102 Street in North Battleford at 1 p.m. on May 27, with registration starting at 12 p.m. Participants will walk from the school along 102 Street, to 19 Avenue, to Centennial Park, and then back to the school.

Matlock said prizes will be handed out to participants raising the most money in pledges. A pizza lunch is also planned for participants following the walk.  

 

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

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