WEST HAVEN, Conn. — Award-winning meteorologist Gil Simmons, WTNH News 8, will step out Sunday, April 6, with more than 1,000 West Haven residents, all of whom support the fight against multiple sclerosis, a potentially debilitating disease.
West Haven High School’s campus will host Walk MS, an annual fundraiser held by the National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter. Meteorologist Gil Simmons, a longtime supporter, will lead the charge from the West Haven walk site.
A native of Killingly, Simmons joined WTNH News 8 in 2003. Prior, he served for six years as a meteorologist and oceanographer U.S. Marine Corps.
Simmons has received two Emmy nominations for his weather coverage in Connecticut, and in 2002 was awarded Best Weathercast in Connecticut by the Associated Press. He is a longtime supporter of the National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter, helping to raise awareness throughout Connecticut.
More than 6,000 Connecticut residents battle MS. 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.
“Each year West Haven area residents come out in large numbers, demonstrating their support for those in their community battling multiple sclerosis,” said Karen E. Butler, National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter, vice president of marketing and public relations. “Our West Haven walk site planning committee does an exceptional job rallying the troops, bringing people together from all walks of life for a single cause – the fight against MS.”
This year, the chapter expects to raise $1.3 million. Check in for Walk MS begins at 8 a.m. Participants step out at 9 a.m. Lunch is provided compliments of Subway and Coca-Cola. Walk MS community partners include News 8, WUVN/WHTX Univision and WUTH Telefutura and Clear Channel Radio Connecticut, which includes The River 105.9, Country 92.5, KISS 95.7, 97.9 ESPN, 1410 Fox Sports AM, KC 101.3, 960 WELI, and ESPN 1300 AM. Other community partners include 95.9 The FOX, WCTY 97.7 and La Puertorriqueñisima 1120 AM.
There is no fee to register. However, participants are encouraged to raise funds. To learn more about Walk MS or to pre-register for the 2014 Walk MS, presented by Travelers, please visit www.ctfightsMS.org.
2/12/14