Apr 19, 2009
San Jose and Monterey Bay Walks Are a Success!
April 19, 2009 - The Northern California chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society this weekend held its first two of eleven Walk MS events in San Jose and Monterey Bay. More than 1400 people walked the 5K or 10K route through the Guadalupe River Park and Gardens in San Jose, and close to 500 people walked the scenic 5K or 10K route through Pacific Grove and downtown Monterey.
Walkers joined together with a goal to raise $1.75 million for MS services and programs and to support MS research.
Judy Block, 2009 San Jose Walk MS Ambassador has been participating in Walk MS for over 20 years and has raised over $75,000 to date. “This is an extraordinary event for a very important cause,” said Block. “I walk to support my son who was diagnosed at the age of 22 in 1988. I walk to help find a cure so that others, like my son, will not have to go through this. I am encouraged by the research that is being funded by the National MS Society and I feel that a cure is not far off. By participating in Walk MS I feel that I am part of it.”
Walk MS San Jose has been an integral part of the San Jose community for over 20 years. The Northern California Chapter of the National MS Society is hosting 11 of the 600 Walk MS events across the country. The Chapter is hosting walks in these Northern California communities: Alameda, Eureka, Modesto, Monterey Bay, Rocklin / Roseville, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Rosa, Walnut Creek and Yuba City over two weekends in April.
Participants in this year’s Walk MS join over 7,000 walkers in Northern California and 200,000 nationwide who are raising money to help create a world free of MS. The funds raised help the National MS Society provide vital resources, cutting edge research and a supportive community for so many people living with MS and their loved ones.