Take a Walk with your Long Island Friends: the 2004 Family Care and Family Aides MS Walk

On Sunday, April 18, 2004, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society will hold its 2004 Family Care & Family Aides MS Walk at two sites on Long Island: Jones Beach and Belmont Lake State Park. We expect more than 5,000 to participate in this family-centered event, and hope to raise $1 million to fight the devastating effects of multiple sclerosis.

Hauppauge, NY (PRWEB) March 14, 2004 --Come take a walk with 5,000 friends: the annual MS Walk is back on Long Island. On Sunday, April 18, 2004 the Long Island Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society will present the Family Care and Family Aides MS Walk at two sites: Belmont Lake State Park or Jones Beach Boardwalk. All proceeds will help end the devastating effects of multiple sclerosis.

Weve planned a high-energy, family-friendly event at both Walk sites," said Pamela Mastrota, Long Island Chapter President, and we are thrilled to welcome a number of celebrity guests, entertainers, and local business leaders who are donating their time, talents, and products to make this MS Walk a wonderful experience for all who join us. Its a terrific way for Long Island to help the 400,000 Americans living with MS."

The MS Walk is one of the Societys largest fundraising events. The $281 million that has been raised since 1991 goes toward research for treatment for people living with the devastating effects of MS, as well as client programs for people with MS.

Each spring nearly 700,000 people at over 600 sites participate in the MS Walk. Last year, chapters in each of the 50 states contributed to the $40 million raised to help the National MS Society continue its MS programs, research, and professional education.

We were thrilled last year when the Long Island Chapter raised over $612,000 to help the 38,000 people in Nassau and Suffolk Counties who are affected by MS," said Mastrota. Our goal this year is to raise $1 million, so we can continue to provide innovative, life-affirming educational, recreational, and social programs for people with MS, their friends, families, and caregivers."

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic unpredictable neurological disease. MS can cause blurred vision, loss of balance, poor coordination, slurred speech, tremors, numbness, extreme fatigue, problems with memory and concentration, paralysis, and blindness. These problems may be permanent, or they may come and go. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50.

Thanks to significant advances in research, the FDA has approved several treatments that may alter the underlying disease course of multiple sclerosis. People with MS should consult their doctors about using one of the FDA-approved medications and other effective treatments for the symptoms of MS.

Since its founding in 1946, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society has been the leading provider of programs for people with MS and their families and friends. Local chapters enable the Society to help meet the needs of Americans living with MS.

For more information or to register for the MS Walk or for information about Long Island Chapter programs call (631) 864-8337 or call 1-800-FIGHT MS, 24 hours a day or visit our website at nmssli.org.
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For more information, photos, or to arrange interviews, please contact:
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Long Island Chapter
200 Parkway Drive South, Suite 101
Hauppauge, NY 11788
Tel (631) 864-8337
Fax (631) 864-8342
www.nmssli.org