Gil Simmons once again leading the charge at Walk MS West Haven.

WEST HAVEN, Conn. — Award-winning WTNH News Channel 8 meteorologist Gil Simmons will step out with West Haven Walk MS participants on April 22.

More than 6,000 Connecticut residents battle the effects of multiple sclerosis daily. In a show of support, each year hundreds of loved ones, friends, neighbors and co-workers throughout West Haven and surrounding communities lace up and step out in solidarity for a single cause: to end the devastating effects of MS.

West Haven High School will, for a 17th year, host the Travelers Walk MS Sunday, April 22. Check-in and registration begin at 8 a.m. The community steps out at 9 a.m.

WTNH News 8 meteorologist Gil Simmons fires up the crowd before the start of the 2011 Travelers Walk MS in West Haven. Simmons will return to West Haven High School to lead the charge on April 22 as part of the 2012 Travelers Walk MS, presented by North American Power. To register, please visit ctfightsMS.org.

Prior to joining the New Haven-based station in 2003, Simmons, a native of Connecticut, served with the United States Marine Corps as a meteorologist and oceanographer for six years forecasting weather conditions worldwide.

Simmons has received two Emmy nominations for his weather coverage in Connecticut and was awarded Best Weathercast in Connecticut by the Associated Press in 2002. He is a longtime supporter of the National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter, helping to raise awareness and promote chapter efforts.

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system. The cause is unknown and, as a result, there currently is no cure. Symptoms can include, among other things, numbness and tingling in the limbs, difficulties with vision and speech, stiffness and, in some severe cases, total paralysis. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot be predicted. More than 1,400 individuals in New Haven County live with the baffling and unpredictable effects of multiple sclerosis. More than 450,000 Americans nationwide are diagnosed with MS. 

“Each year West Haven area residents come out in large numbers to demonstrate support for those in their community battling multiple sclerosis,” said Karen E. Butler, National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter vice president of communications. “Our West Haven walk site planning committee does an exceptional job rallying the troops, bringing people together from all walks of life in a single effort to raise funds to find a cure.” 

The National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter expects the 2012 Travelers Walk MS, presented by North American Power, to raise more than $1.45 million. Lunch will be provided compliments of Subway and Coca-Cola. Travelers Walk MS community partners include News 8, Univision, Clear Channel Radio Connecticut, to include The River 105.9, Country 92.5, KISS 95.7, ESPN 1410 AM, KC 101.3, 960 WELI, and ESPN 1300 AM. Other community partners include 95.9 THE FOX and WCTY 97.7.

 

To learn more about Walk MS or to pre-register, please visit www.ctfightsMS.org. Learn more about multiple sclerosis, its effects, and programs and services offered by the chapter to those living with MS by e-mailingprograms@ctfightsMS.org or visiting www.ctfightsMS.org. 

3/27/12

NOTE: Veronica Romo is currently conducting an internship with the National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter. She is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and Spanish at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT.