STORRS, Conn. – Come April, Subway Restaurants will be doing a lot more than preparing fresh sandwiches. Subway personnel will be lacing up and stepping out in a movement taking place across the state of Connecticut - a movement of people searching for a cure.
“This is the first year we have formed Team Subway in this area,” said Marisa Nadeau, director of special projects for Subway Development Corporation of New England. “Subway has been supporting the walk since 1995, and we decided this year that we wanted to do more.”
Each year, Subway Restaurants has helped the National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter, feed the 10,000 walkers who step out for Walk MS in search of a cure for multiple sclerosis.
“We formed Team Subway for the East Hartford Walk MS and are working to generate some excitement within our Subway family to recruit walkers and help raise funds for a great cause,” said Nadeau, a resident of Broad Brook. “It is also the perfect event for us to stress our focus of team building and community involvement.”
More than 6,000 Connecticut residents live with multiple sclerosis, a potentially debilitating disease. The cause is unknown and there is currently no cure. Symptoms can include numbness in the limbs, difficulties with vision and speech, stiffness, loss of mobility and, in some more severe cases, total paralysis. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot be predicted.
“So far, my office staff has signed up for Team Subway and we are working on getting franchise owners, managers, staff, family and friends to join us for a fun day,” said Nadeau. “We have extended the invitation to our entire market which includes Subway locations from all over the state. It would be great to have a big showing come walk day.”
The walk will take place at 12 sites across Connecticut, including Rentschler Field, in East Hartford, on Sunday, April 6. Lunch will be provided compliments of Subway Restaurants and Coca-Cola.
Funds raised at chapter events, such as Walk MS, ensure ongoing scientific research to find a cure and provide for the continuation of vital programs and services offered by the chapter to Connecticut residents affected by MS.
The 2014 Walk MS, presented by Travelers, will be held Saturday, April 5, in Madison and Westport, and Sunday, April 6, in Cheshire, Danbury, East Hartford, Enfield, Litchfield, Simsbury, Stamford, Waterford, West Hartford and West Haven.
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, ESPN 1410 AM, KC 101.3, 960 WELI, and ESPN 1300 AM, 95.9 The FOX, WCTY 97.7 and La Puertorriqueñisima 1120 AM.
“We have high expectations for our team,” said Nadeau. “We have been promoting the event within our stores to get people on board. I’m excited to see the turn out!”
For more information on the 2014 Walk MS, presented by Travelers, to join Team Subway or to make a donation to Walk MS, visit www.ctfightsMS.org.
3/25/14