Latest news with #WalkMS
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Sioux Falls ‘Walk MS' event draws dozens
SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO) — Despite the chilly start to Saturday morning, dozens of people laced up their shoes to walk for a cause. Participants gathered at Cherry Rock Park in Sioux Falls for the 'Walk MS' event. The fundraiser supports research to help find a cure for Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a condition that impacts the central nervous system. About one million Americans are affected by the disease. The event is centered around its 'Circles of Support' theme, an interactive way for participants to self-identify their place within the MS community. Participants could carry an orange, green or yellow circle throughout the event. One and three mile routes were available to choose from. This year's goal is to raise $96,000. You can visit the donation page here. Ink, tattoos and mental health awareness Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Community Focus: 2025 New Bedford MS walk
EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — It's believed that nearly one million Americans are affected by multiple sclerosis, or MS, a chronic disease of the central nervous system that can present in many different ways. Sarrah Young, the manager of Walk MS for Greater New England, joined 12 News at 4 on Tuesday to talk about the National MS Society's 2025 New Bedford fundraising walk, which is coming up on Saturday, May 10. Watch the full interview in the player above. You can donate or register to participate at the Walk MS website. New Bedford 2025 MS Walk: Register or donate Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Special Coverage & Notices Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Hundreds turn out for Walk MS event at Outer Harbor
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Hundreds of people braved the cool, wet weather on Saturday to provide a brighter future for those living with multiple sclerosis. Walk MS, which has raised over $1 billion for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's mission to cure the disease, kicked off in a new location this year at the Outer Harbor. Mike Calandra, who was diagnosed with MS six years ago when he was 24, was honored this year. 'I definitely feel blessed,' Calandra said. 'There's a lot of people that are here that have MS that would make great honorees as well. I don't take it lightly that they chose me and I feel very fortunate.' It was Kimberly Zackey's 10th year participating after she was diagnosed in 2012. 'Since there's so many things with MS that are out of my control, I thought fundraising efforts and bringing people together for this cause is something that we can do,' Zackey said. 'Just like with MS, ups and downs — some days it's sunny, some days it's rainy. But we're all here and I appreciate everyone coming out and being together.' Organizers said Walk MS is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, which has funded the research behind every major breakthrough in treating the disease of the central nervous system. 'I always use this as an opportunity to put out there all about MS, what it is, what we can do about it and not to hide behind the diagnosis, but celebrate it and know that we're all going to be OK if we work together,' Zackey said. Western New York has a very high rate of MS. The event provides community and hope for those affected by the disease. 'Any disease, but maybe MS especially, can be a little isolating, so to come here and have this community camaraderie with people that love and want to help you makes all the difference,' said Andy Yates, president of the Upstate Chapter of the National MS Society. 'It's empowering. It shows me in my own life that I'm capable of anything,' said Sarah Nicoletti, who was walking in support of her friend. 'If these people can overcome this, they're like leaders to me.' WIVB News 4 has been a longtime supporter of Walk MS and after 37 years of being emcee, Jacquie Walker told the crowd this is her final year in that role. She introduced Marlee Tuskes as the emcee of Walk MS 2026. Sarah Minkewicz is an Emmy-nominated reporter and Buffalo native who has been a part of the News 4 team since 2019. Follow Sarah on Twitter @SarahMinkewicz and click here to see more of her work. *** Jacquie Walker is an award-winning anchor and reporter who has been part of the News 4 team since 1983. See more of her work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Hundreds attend ‘Walk MS: Longmeadow' to raise funds and awareness
LONGMEADOW, Mass. (WWLP) – Community members rallied together to raise funds and awareness for Multiple Sclerosis. Nearly 400 people showed that people living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) are not alone. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society's 'Walk MS: Longmeadow' raises awareness and funds to find a cure for the disease. Fight at Amherst Regional Middle School prompts shelter-in-place, ongoing investigation About one million people live with MS in the United States. It's unpredictable, and often disabling, but there are resources through the National MS Society, like Walk MS, that help people affected live their best lives. One walker shared why she chose to participate. 'I'm walking because I was recently diagnosed with MS, and I figured this would be a great way to feel supported by the community,' said Degenais Romero of Holyoke. Romero's relatives also weighed in on their impact. 'It means a lot because it shows how you're supportive, and how everyone's come together,' said Fabian Morales of West Springfield. 'It's a community thing.' Another attendee was diagnosed nearly 12 years ago, and she said having her village by her side makes all the difference. 'It's a daily fight, and I'm just so happy and blessed to have everybody during this journey,' said Marlaina Ray of Wilbraham. Organizers said they expect walkers to raise nearly $70,000 for the National MS Society throughout Saturday's event. They were seen waving paddles showing their connection to the disease, whether they're living with MS or supporting a loved one. Sidewalks were full of orange, the color for MS Awareness, with each step towards the finish line and one step closer to finding a cure. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Navy officer faces MS diagnosis head-on
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — A local naval officer is fearlessly facing his diagnosis, using his creativity and entrepreneurial skills to fight back and raise awareness. 'I was diagnosed in December of last year,' said Donald Banks III, a chief warrant officer in the Navy. During an operations screening last year, doctors noticed a problem. 'They're like, something's not right with your eye,' Bank said. His vision was blurry, but several MRIs and blood tests the doctor discovered something else that was concerning. 'He noticed that I had lesions on my brain, and the eye blindness, there was nerve damage to it,' he said. That's when the doctor told Banks he has multiple sclerosis. 'It was a bit overwhelming, but my mother has multiple sclerosis,' Banks said. Banks was a young boy when his mom was diagnosed nearly 40 years ago, and though , there is an increased risk for the children of those with the condition. As Banks thinks of his own three children, he is also focused on his current naval career of 22 years. 'I enjoy it,' Banks said. 'I love it. It's a passion of mine, and continuing service was my question.' This food service officer said his superiors are very supportive and have done everything possible to accommodate him while he goes through treatment. 'They want me to get better,' he said. 'They want me to continue my path to this therapy that I'm on. So there's no restrictions to it. If anything, they're more receptive and open arms as I allow them and let them know what my condition is.' Banks is also on a mission to raise funds to help find a cure. He owns a business creating hats. 'We call officers that were once enlisted and become a commissioned officer Mustangs, so I named the hat line Stang.' The first hat is filled with symbols of multiple sclerosis. It is adorned with pops of orange, the word 'hope' and a monarch butterfly. 'The butterfly symbolizes hope as well as the dots (on the butterfly's wings), which represents the lesions on the brain and the brain activity,' he said. 'When you get your MRI, it kind of looks like a butterfly.' The monarch butterfly also represents transformation and hope for those living with Multiple Sclerosis. There is also an even greater purpose behind the hat designed by Banks. 'One-hundred percent of the proceeds with the hat, and these bracelets, are going to get donated at the April 6 walk here in Virginia Beach,' Banks said. 'I have a big check. We're going to take some pictures, and I'll donate all the proceeds from the hat that I created.' This weekend will be the first Walk MS event Banks has attended. If you would like to purchase one of Banks's hats to raise awareness, and funds, for Multiple Sclerosis, . If you would like to join Banks, and the WAVY Warriors at Walk MS in Virginia Beach this Sunday afternoon, . If you would like details about Walk MS in Newport News this Saturday morning, . Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
