KAMLOOPS — The 20th annual MS Walk in Kamloops is set for Sunday, with hundreds expected to participate.
The local event typically draws crowds of upwards of 400 people, raising awareness and funds for multiple sclerosis.
This year’s fundraising goal is $50,000 for research and support programs.
More than 12,000 British Columbians live with this relatively unpredictable disease.
“MS is one of those diseases that we still can’t put our finger on as far as what causes it, we don’t have a cure for MS currently, and this is Canada’s disease,” said Jennifer Harbaruk of the MS Society. “We have the highest rate of MS in the entire world. We need to figure out why that is, we need to be able to better support peoples’ MS symptoms, they vary so drastically.”
The walk will take place at the Sandman Centre at 11 a.m., with check-in beginning at 9. The original plan was to walk the Rivers Trail, but spring flooding has sent the main event inside.
However, people planning to walk dogs can walk down Lorne Street.
Last minute sign-ups are welcome.
“It’s never too late,” Harbaruk said. “They can visit mswalks.ca, they can come down Sunday and register, and we’re also going to have an early registration Saturday, so if they want to stop by either two days and either make a donation, register and come and walk with us, we’d love to see them.”
