Walk MS takes place April 14-15 to raise money for support and research

A wave of Walk MS T-shirts and tennis shoes will be the norm April 14-15 as more than 10,000 people turn out for Walk MS events in Seattle and seven other communities across Washington – all working toward a world free of multiple sclerosis.

The National MS Society, Greater Northwest Chapter has set a total fundraising goal for Washington of $1.87 million for the events, which are being presented by Haggen Food and Pharmacy, and Top Food and Drug. Together with more than a dozen other Walk MS events in Alaska and Montana, the Chapter hopes to raise just over $2.2 million for its single largest fundraiser.

The 4-mile Seattle Walk will take place Sunday, April 15, at the Alaska Airlines Arena (Hec Edmundson Pavilion) on the UW Campus, 3870 Montlake Blvd. NE. Registration opens at 9 a.m., with a program at 9:30 a.m. and the walk scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.

Other Washington Walk MS events will take place on Saturday, April 14, including one in Snohomish County. The events support services and programs for people living with MS as well as research into causes, treatments and a cure.

“Walk MS is absolutely vital, because research is bringing better and better treatments and pushing us that much closer to a cure,” said Chapter President Patty Shepherd-Barnes. “Also, in this economy, people living with MS depend more than ever on Walk MS-supported services and programs.”

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, often disabling disease of the central nervous system. It usually affects people between the ages of 20 and 50 with varied and unpredictable symptoms including fatigue, numbness, loss of balance, vision problems and paralysis. There is no cure for MS, but better treatments over the years are helping people live with and manage the disease.

For more information, call the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater Northwest Chapter, at 1-800-344-4867 and press 2, or visit the website