Hundreds of Shreveport-Bossier residents are expected to participate in this year's Walk MS: Shreveport, being held Saturday, April 11, at the Louisiana Boardwalk.

It's being hosted by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Coordinator Alex Jeannot says MS is an unpredictable, often debilitating disease, and this walk raises awareness and funds for people who are dealing with it daily.

"MS is one of those diseases where you cannot just look at someone to know, so through our research and through our programs and services, we find a lot of people in the community who have MS, all over the state, all over the country," Jeannot said. "Events like this are very important because many people do not disclose that they have MS."

She said not everyone who has MS will have the same symptoms, either. Those range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis.

I have an uncle who suffers from the disease, and it's dramatically decreased his ability to walk. He now has to use a cane, or travel in a motorized chair, to get around. And he's the only one in the family we know of who's ever been diagnosed with MS. Jeannot told me it's not necessarily hereditary.

"There has been some sort of a hereditary element found in some families, but there's no rhyme or reason. Some families have one person who has MS. They've never had another and never will have another. In other families, there is a link with multiple members," she said. "So that's one of the areas where we're still studying to find out what causes MS."

Last year's event raised over $35,000 from area partners, donors and fundraisers to drive research for a cure. There's no registration for the walk, but you are encouraged to collect donations, or make a donation yourself. The event features a one-mile route that includes complimentary food and entertainment before and after the event.

You can register in advance or the day of the walk. The site opens at 7AM, with the walk beginning at 8.

Visit the EVENT WEBSITE for additional details. CLICK HERE to watch a video about the walk.

 

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