This photo is from a MS Walk in Prince Albert from 2013. (File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Ian Gustafson

Walk for a cause

MS Walk will be virtual this year

May 7, 2020 | 2:00 PM

The Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Walk will still happen this year, albeit in a virtual capacity.

According to a media release from the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, May marks MS Awareness Month, and a virtual movement called #WeChallengeMS will include this year’s MS Walk on May 24.

Interim President for the Manitoba and Saskatchewan MS Society divisions Jessica MacPherson told paNOW because of the COVID-19 pandemic they are unable to host an in-person walk.

“So, this year instead everyone in Canada is being asked to walk on the same day on May 24 and the walk is going virtual,” she said. “That means that anybody in their own home communities can register like they normally would for the walk.”

This includes putting together a team of friends and family to support each other and raise funds for the walk. The participants also have to decide where they want to walk, whether it is around their house, block or neighbourhood as they abide by social distancing restrictions.

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Throughout the day of the walk, there will be an opening ceremonies streamed over the MS Society’s social media with participants posting how much they’ve raised and how far they’ve walked. Participants are also encouraged to post on social media using the #WeChallengeMS hashtag.

MacPherson added if anyone cannot walk on May 24, they can walk on any day this month to raise money for MS research.

The #WeChallengeMS initiative encourages participants to get creative. Even if they don’t want to take part in the walk, they are encouraged to come up with other ways to raise money.

“This is an online platform and it allows them to engage in whatever way they want,” she said.

For example, there are some people doing a virtual wine night through video conferencing technology, online bake sales, or video game tournaments.

Last year in Prince Albert, MacPherson said P.A. had 80 people take part. They raised over $16,000.

She added Saskatchewan has one of the highest rates of MS in Canada. She said 3,500 people in the province live with the disease.

“Certainly there is no community that isn’t touched by MS across Saskatchewan and we want to be able to provide the resources that people with MS need,” she explained.

Money raised will go toward research, programs and services to help people with MS.

For more information about the walk click here. For more info on how to participate in #WeChallengeMS visit here.

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Ian.gustafson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @iangustafson12