The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater Northwest Chapter, will hold Walk MS in Seattle on April 3, 2011 at Husky Stadium. Ryan Asdourian, who performs as Blitz the mascot for the Seattle Seahawks, was diagnosed with MS two years ago and he heads up Team Blitz for this event. Team Blitz raised over $70,000 last year and is striving to raise $134,000 this year. To donate just visit www.BlitzTacklesMS.com/Jaxson.
Among the NFL mascots participating as members of Team Blitz are Jaxson De Ville (Jacksonville Jaguars), Blue (Indianapolis Colts), Miles (Denver Broncos), Big Red (Arizona Cardinals), Toro (Houston Texans), T-Rac (Tennessee Titans), Billy Buffalo (Buffalo Bills), Freddie Falcon (Atlanta Falcons), Staley (Chicago Bears), Sirr Purr (Carolina Panthers), Rampage (St Louis Rams)
More than 5,000 walkers are expected to help meet the Chapter's goal of raising over $2 million to support programs and services for the more than 12,000 people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and 72,000 others including family, friends, caregivers and health care professionals throughout Alaska, Montana and in 23 counties in Western and Central Washington.
Multiple sclerosis is more prominent in the Northwest than almost anywhere else on earth. At a time when public services are scarce, the programs, services, education and support the Society provides is more important than ever. Funds also support cutting-edge research to find a cure for this chronic and unpredictable disease of the central nervous system, and help people with MS live healthier, more independent lives.
More than a fundraiser, Walk MS is a celebration of hope and moving forward. Participants will enjoy breakfast and lunch, live music along the walk, face painting, entertainment for kids, awards, and much more. Top teams also qualify for team tents along Team Row, with competition for the best decorations and passionate celebrations.
People can participate in Walk MS individually, join a team or start a team. Volunteers are also needed.
WHAT:Walk MS to benefit the National MS Society, Greater Northwest Chapter, serving 12,000 people living with MS in Alaska, Montana and Central and Western Washington.
*WHEN: *Sunday, April 3, 2011; 8:30 a.m. registration, 9:00 a.m. program, 9:30 a.m. Walk!
*WHERE: *Husky Stadium
REGISTER AS A WALKER OR VOLUNTEER:
Visit walkMSnorthwest.orgcall 1-800-344-4867 or email walkMSnorthwest@nmss.org
About Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis interrupts the flow of information between the brain and the body and stops people from moving. Every hour in the United States, someone is diagnosed with MS — an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system. Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted, but advances in research and treatment are moving us closer to an MS-free world. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with more than twice as many women as men affected by the disease. More than 400,000 people in the United States and 2.5 million worldwide live with MS.
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is dedicated to creating a world free of MS.
The National MS Society, Greater Northwest Chaptereducates, inspires and empowers those affected by multiple sclerosis. It creates innovative programs to meet the needs of people with MS and their families, host exciting fundraising events to give supporters a meaningful role in the MS movement, and fund cutting-edge research into treatments and a cure. With a passion for bringing about a world free of MS, the Chapter helps everyone affected by the disease to live richer, healthier, more independent lives.
