A cure for multiple sclerosis has yet to be found but that didn’t stop around 2,500 people from doing their part for the cause.
The Edmonton Enerflex MS Walk was held yesterday at Churchill Square and the warm weather, combined with compassionate Edmontonians meant downtown streets were filled with fundraisers.
“Multiple sclerosis is a degenerative disease. We don’t know the cause and we don’t have a cure yet,” said event manager Kathy Mendes. “We need to find a cure so that’s our purpose here today.”
As of yesterday morning, the event had raised close to $370,000 with more trickling in all day long. Mendes said the goal is to raise $900,000 and fundraisers and donators have until the beginning of June to reach that mark.
Mendes said there were fewer participants than last year but the numbers kept climbing, along with the thermostat.
“It’s a beautiful day today and I’m very excited and happy to be here at Churchill Square,” she said. “We saw a huge jump in walkers this week because of the weather so I think we’re going to be on par with last year, if not better.”
Pam Dewhirst and the other 12 members of her team were out doing their part yesterday. They were walking for a friend of theirs who suffers from MS.
“We’re supporting Mel,” she said.
“Mel is a friend of ours, she’s in the military and she has MS.”
Mel was back home in Quebec with the support of her family but Dewhirst and her team were getting ready to walk their way to a cure.
“We raised just over $2,000,” she said. “We’re very proud to be here today.”
Chances are, Mel would be proud too.
