Bringing Inspiration, Treatment Options to Central Illinois
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Larry Wallden joined the National MS Society’s Central Region Council in 2002 and has participated in Walk MS events since 2003, raising more than $10,000. But that’s just the tip of his iceberg – he has also attracted sponsorships from his former employer (Caterpillar) and other local corporations, and, with a personal touch, he also has enlisted the participation of his friends and neighbors. For example, he stood at the entrance of a Peoria Wal-Mart, handing out registration cards for hours to recruit walkers for the September 13, 2009 Walk MS – Peoria event.
Wallden has also led numerous other MS-related fundraising events in the Central Illinois region, especially “for people who don’t have the financial wherewithal or health insurance to get the care or equipment they need while living with MS.” That, Wallden says, is his true “vision and passion” and the strategy he champions through his efforts. While dollars are important, he says, it’s not so much the number of dollars we raise, but the number of people we help that makes the difference.
In addition to his work with the Society, and to his support of the Society’s client-facing programs and services, Wallden has been instrumental in developing an MS treatment and care center, at Peoria’s Illinois Neurological Institute, where much of his fundraising has been focused.
“Larry has shown me how one person’s commitment can make a difference in the MS community,” says Shawna Knapp, member of the Peoria Council and the Walk MS “Shawna Made Me Do It” team captain. “I’ve found there’s not much a person can do about being diagnosed with MS,” she says, “but a person with MS can do a lot about how it affects them in their daily life.”
Jeff Ward, vice president of South Side Bank and chairman of the Society’s Central Illinois Regional Council, says “Larry has been the driving force for developing the strategic plan for our central regional council.” Lauding Wallden’s “commitment and passion to not only give hope to those with MS, but more importantly to get the message out to others to help win the fight against this devastating illness,” Ward says. Wallden is expanding the council into other communities “so that together we can increase our awareness and fundraising efforts.”
Knapp adds: “Larry shows that when you volunteer to raise funds and awareness, that it creates a feeling of having some control over the MS. We will eradicate MS someday, and Larry will have played an important part in that.”
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