Jun 23, 2009
3 Days. 50 Miles. Closer To a Cure.
REGISTER TODAY for Southern California Challenge Walk MS 2009, a three-day, 50-mile fundraising walk from Carlsbad to Downtown San Diego, September 11 to 13. The all-inclusive event is a personal journey of spirit and stamina, filled with friendship, unforgettable moments and most of all, hope.
An estimated 300 people are expected to participate and help raise $1.2 million for MS research and programs and services for Southern Californians living with MS. The minimum donation required to walk in the Challenge Walk is $2,500 per person. Walkers will include supporters of Society’s Pacific South Coast and Southern California Chapters, as well as people with MS and friends and family members.
Challenge Walk MS 2009 will begin with opening ceremonies on Friday, Sept. 11, at the Carlsbad Flower Fields. The 20-mile walk on Day 1 along the scenic San Diego coastline will include fully-stocked rest stops approximately every one-and-a-half to three miles, featuring entertainment and encouragement from volunteers. Day 1 concludes at the Marriott Del Mar hotel where walkers will enjoy dinner and entertainment, including speaker Joyce Nelson, President & CEO of the National MS Society, who will also be walking in the 50-mile event. "It’s been four years since my last multi-day walk, and I realized how much I miss those long conversations with people who live with MS every day," Joyce said. "I'd love to get to know other participants and learn how they think the National MS Society can respond better to the challenges of living with MS."
The 20-mile walk on Day 2 will commence at the hotel and finish at Ventura Cove in Mission Bay, where buses will shuttle walkers back to the hotel for dinner and another evening of entertainment featuring actress and comedienne, Teri Garr. After getting positive feedback about going public with her MS in 2002, Teri published her autobiography, Speedbumps: Flooring It Through Hollywood, in 2005. Teri said she finds it more helpful to talk about “a movement by and for people with MS” rather than a “war” against the disease. “As we all know, knowledge is power. Get involved on a local level. Become a volunteer, be an advocate, join one of the many Walk MS or Bike MS events in your area. Bring your friends and family with you. It’s a good way to connect with people and you’ll feel better about not only helping yourself, but helping others.”
The 10-mile walk on Day 3 will begin with shuttle service to Ventura Cove and the walkers are scheduled to cross the finish line around noon on Sunday at Pantoja Park, located on West "G" St. in Downtown San Diego. Live music and lunch will make for a robust finish line celebration attended by friends and family of the walkers.
This is the eighth annual Southern California Challenge Walk MS. Since the event's inception in 2002, the three-day, 50-mile Challenge Walk held in San Diego County has raised $7,508,246, which is among the highest dollar amounts of any of the ten Challenge Walk events organized by 50-state network of Society chapters in the U.S. At the Challenge in 2008, 290 people helped raise $1,124,547. Participation has grown from 179 walkers who raised $496,000 at the inaugural Challenge Walk held in 2002.
Presenting sponsors of Challenge Walk MS include Continental Airlines and Bayer Healthcare. For more information about Challenge Walk MS 2009, to register as a walker or volunteer, or to make a donation, visit www.myMSchallenge.com.