Get your team together for MS Walk June 4

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a disease that affects the central nervous system by disrupting flow of information from the brain to the body. It has no known cause or cure, and symptoms vary from person to person depending on where the nervous system is affected. Symptoms include balance and gait issues, cognitive and sensory problems, fatigue, vertigo and dizziness, visual impairment and tremors.

It generally strikes people between age 20 and 50, and women are diagnosed two to three times more often than men. In Wyoming, 1,300 people live with MS; one in 350 people in the state live with the disease, compared to one in 750 in the nation.

Teams and individuals are encouraged to register as soon as possible for the Walk MS Northwest Wyoming event. Teams can have as many members as they choose, Local Committee Chair Karla Ohrmund said, and volunteers are also needed.

The walk is a fundraiser for multiple sclerosis, but also to raise awareness of what MS is. Ohrmund noted there is no registration fee, and no set amount people have to raise. However, individuals — whether walking solo or on a team — who raise at least $100 will be recognized with shirts.

This is the first year the walk is held in Thermopolis, Ohrmund said, as it has previously been in Cody. A bus has been arranged to transport anyone from Cody who would like to participate and can’t otherwise get here.

The walk is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. June 4 at Hot Springs State Park. Registration will also be the day of the walk, for volunteers beginning at 8 a.m. and for walkers beginning at 9 a.m.

Those who want to pre-register can do so online at walkmswyoming.org, or by calling 307-433-8664. Ohrmund is also available to do registrations, and can be contacted at 307-388-2449. There have already been some registrations, Ohrmund said, and many signed up at the recent health fair.

Those diagnosed with MS can call 1-800-FIGHTMS to get any assistance they might need.