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High hopes hike MS Walk

THUNDER BAY -- Organizers will be thrilled if Sunday's MS Walk kept pace with last year's fundraising. The walk raised an astonishing $32,000 in 2015, $10,000 more than had been expected.
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Dozens of participants walked in support of those who are affected by MS Sunday morning at the Heritage building. (Nicole Dixon, tbnewswatch.com)

THUNDER BAY -- Organizers will be thrilled if Sunday's MS Walk kept pace with last year's fundraising.

The walk raised an astonishing $32,000 in 2015, $10,000 more than had been expected. 

The annual event is about far more than just raising money for Kathleen Eaton. It’s about showing support and raising awareness for the disease.

Eaton has slowed down In the two years since she was diagnosed with MS. She is determined, however, to win the fight.

“I was shocked. I didn’t know what MS was all about and I did my research and realized that MS is not going to take me down,” Eaton said inside the Heritage Building on the C.L.E. where the walk began.

“It has affected my life in a way that I’m not as active, but I persevere myself and I’m determined to fight this all the way.”

Eaton said her Copperfin Credit Union team has helped support her along the way. They’ve already raised $1,800.

“They are my best friends, my co-workers and I couldn’t ask for a better team,” she said as her team cheered loudly behind her.

Eaton joined dozens of participants Sunday to walk in support of those affected by MS in Thunder Bay. 

“I personally think that we need to get more involved in the community and get awareness out to everyone.”

According to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, one in every 340 Canadians is diagnosed with MS at some point. Fundraising coordinator Mitch Vankannel said Canada has the highest rate of MS in the world.

The society devotes funds raised to helping Canadians with MS live better lives.

“We support people by buying equipment, like wheelchairs and grab bars as well as lawn care and snow removal services,” Vankannel said.

 



Nicole Dixon

About the Author: Nicole Dixon

Born and raised in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Nicole moved to Thunder Bay, Ontario in 2008 to pursue a career in journalism. Nicole joined Tbnewswatch.com in 2015 as a multimedia producer, content developer and reporter.
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