People impacted by multiple sclerosis are connecting across the nation during Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week which runs Monday through Sunday.
Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. will issue a proclamation to representatives of MS Hawaii and Kauai residents impacted by MS on Thursday, joining other mayors throughout the state in raising awareness.
Jessica Ishikawa of the MS Hawaii office said the awareness week not only highlights the disease, but launches a year-round awareness building effort.
Multiple sclerosis is a deadly disease that affects each person in a unique and different way, states a release from MS Hawaii. MS destroys connections, divides minds from bodies, pulls people from their lives and away from one another. Millions of people are affected by MS throughout the world.
It is only fitting that connections would be its greatest enemy, and by finding the power of connection during MS Awareness Week, and beyond, more hope is provided to help people living with MS move their lives forward, the release said.
Following her MS diagnosis, Joy Ortiz-Zimmer has turned the focus of what the disease does from the negative to make it positive, she wrote in a fundraising cookbook coordinated by Cynthia Edralin, a victim of MS and the leader of Team Hui me Kapilialoha, who will be part of the upcoming MS walk.
“MS will not get me down, but it has afforded me the opportunity to provide others with this disease a forum here on Kauai where we can share about how we are affected,” Ortiz-Zimmer said. “My challenge to myself the day I was diagnosed is that I won’t let the disease get the best of me, and to date, it hasn’t.”
Laurie Weber of Tire Warehouse, co-chair of the Kauai Walk MS: Sunset Stroll, walks to raise awareness about MS as well as to support those living with MS every day.
“Her sea of team shirts is a reminder of the increasing support of her, and her team, and of people living with multiple sclerosis on Kauai,” Ishikawa said about Weber. “Alone, Laurie has raised more than $5,000 since she first participated in Walk MS four years ago. Last year, her team of 53 walkers raised more than $14,300.”
Aiding in the efforts to raise funds for the fight against MS, Weber said Kalaheo Steak & Ribs is hosting a fundraising spaghetti dinner featuring spaghetti, salad and bread with the music of Wailoa from 5 to 9 p.m. March 24.
To form a team for the Walk MS: Sunset Stroll at 5 p.m. April 19 at the Kapaa Beach Park or to contribute to the effort contact Candice Schwalbach at (808) 532-0805, or Candice.Schwalbach@nmss.org.
