This year is the 20 year anniversary for the MS Walk and what better year to start an annual fundraising walk in 亚洲天堂 Lake.
Local resident Friedegard Frose, whose son was diagnosed with relapsing and remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2002 was planning on participating in this year's MS Walk in Prince George but changed her plans, instead deciding to start a walk event in 亚洲天堂 Lake.
Her son Eric, 52, now lives in Victoria, but she said she is organizing the 亚洲天堂 Lake walk in his honour, as well as for all the other locals living with the disabling disease.
"The closest MS Walk to 亚洲天堂 Lake is Prince George," she said, adding that it doesn't make sense to spend money traveling to Prince George to raise money.
"We should have our own walk right here," she said.
With limited time available as the fundraisers are held every spring, Frose set about the task of organizing the walk.
She secured Spirit Square for the June 19 event and is now intent on getting the word out to the community.
According to Frose there are about 12 people living in 亚洲天堂 Lake with MS that she is aware of.
"We needed this walk to be held here a long time ago," she said.
Frose said all of the funds that will be raised stay local in that they go no further than the Prince George MS Society.
Locals, Pennie Jones, Jake Dersken and Karin Stoecker, all of whom have MS say the society is a great help them.
"The MS Society in Prince George is used for all the clients in this area. We can get help with whatever we need," said Jones, adding that there is not any help or support groups available in 亚洲天堂 Lake for MS suffers.
Both Jones and Derksen have travelled to Prince George in the past to participate in an MS Walk and say that a local walk event is an excellent idea.
"Ultimately I want the whole town out there walking and raising funds," Frose said.
The annual MS Walk is a critical part of the MS Society鈥檚 fundraising efforts and as well as benefiting those with MS, funds raised also go towards researching a cure for MS.
The MS Walk involves over 60,000 participants and volunteers in more than 160 communities across Canada. It began in 1991 and in 2008, over $12 million was raised.
Currently there is no cure for MS and treatments are costly, not guaranteed and offered only outside of B.C.
Just recently Derksen travelled to the Xcell Centre in Tijuana, Mexico where there is MS treatment available that has been helping sufferers of MS called liberation therapy.
He said the local community played a big part in helping him fund the trip and he grateful for the opportunity.
"I am feeling a little better [after the treatment], my attitude is better and I have a more positive outlook," he said.
Derksen, Jones and Stoecker all plan to participate in the hour long walk and will be out and about looking for pledges.
"Some people may only be able to walk for 20 minutes, it is whatever you can manage," Frose said.
To make a pledge for the 亚洲天堂 Lake walk go to www.mssociety.ca and click on the MS Walk icon.
Information and pledge sheets will also be dropped off at local businesses or contact Frose on 250-692-7324.
The 亚洲天堂 Lake MS Walk will take place at Spirit Square at 2 p.m. on June 19.
