Friends, co-workers of Gail Erickson participating in Walk MS as a team to support, help make a difference
She has had the back of Mountain Lake Public School (MLPS) staff, administration and students for 35+ years.
Now they are prepared to return the favor.
Following the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) for long-time Mountain Lake Public Elementary School secretary Gail Erickson of Mountain Lake, this past winter, her squad has rallied around the elementary school’s central cog with support, love and prayers.
On Saturday, May 2, a team of 45+ walkers – either doing the walk or taking a “viritual” stroll (clad in purple, as that is Gail’s favorite color) will add an additional layer of advocacy for the cause of Gail and MS when they take to the course of Walk MS: Christopher & Banks Mankato Walk 2015 in Mankato. And, they will be doing this knowing that they have ‘Gail’-force winds at their backs. Team members collected donations – and surpassed their $1,000 goal. It currently stands at $1,192 – and growing.
Walk MS is an event that helps the National MS Society fund research, advocate for change, and help people with MS live their best lives. The Mankato event will be held at the Myers Field House on the campus of Minnesota State University-Mankato. Check-in begins at 9 a.m., and the first steps on the walk begins at 10 a.m. Walkers can either walk indoors around the field house or a 3- or 5-mile outdoor route. There is no fee to register, and no minimum donation is required. However, fundraising is encouraged.
Gail-Force Team members include co-captains Kris Friesen and Donna Peterson, along with Matthew Anderson, Jaime Banks, Amy Beer, Jane Birkholz, Kim Blomgren, Kyle Blomgren, Shelly Condon, Crystal Fast, Brenda Feil, Carol Flaming, Andrew Gregg, LeAnn Gregg, Matthew Gregg, Ronald Gregg, Jean Haberman, Amy Hartzler, Denise Hoek, Amberly Hulzebos, Nicole James, Sherri Janzen, Christine Johnson, LaVonne Jungas, Kimberly Jungas-Samson, Grace Kratovil, Kris Langland, Patty Miller, Alyssa Nesmoe, Linda Nesmoe, Cindy Palm, Krystina Peterson, Kristin Pfeiffer, Sharon Phelps, Rachel Potter, Paige Roiger, Bruce Schuler, Cindy Schuler, Darcy Snyder, Stacey Stade, Bill Strom, Jessica Svehla, Justin Thomspon, Kelli Tucholke and Debra Wall.
About MS
Millions of people are affected by MS, an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system – and the challenges it presents. Multiple sclerosis interrupts the flow of information between the brain and the body and it stops people from moving.
Every hour in the United States, someone is newly diagnosed with MS, a 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 making a difference.
Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with at least two to three times more women than men being diagnosed with the disease. MS affects more than 2.3 million worldwide.
About the National MS Society
The Society mobilizes people and resources to drive research for a cure and to address the challenges of everyone affected by MS. To fulfill this mission, the Society funds cutting-edge research, drives change through advocacy, facilitates professional education, collaborates with MS organizations around the world, and provides programs and services designed to help people with MS and their families move their lives forward.
Last year alone, the Society invested nearly $50 million to support more than 380 new and ongoing research projects around the world while providing program services to over one million people.
About Walk MS
The first Walk MS took place in 1988, where people who wanted to join the movement walked from downtown Minneapolis to the state capitol in St. Paul. They raised $216,000 toward research and service programs for people with MS.
And they began something that grew exponentially through the new millennium and beyond.
Today, Walk MS events raise $50 million a year to help people with MS move forward with their lives and end MS forever, with more than 330,000 people participating in events held in every single state.
As efficient, effective stewards of our donors’ contributions, we make sure that more than 79 cents out of every dollar we raise goes directly to improve the lives of people living with MS through programs, services and research.
Every step matters. Every dollar counts. Every person makes a difference.
