Albany Herald

ALBANY — The Albany Walk to benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Georgia Chapter is planned March 24 beginning at Riverfront Park.

The 5K fundraising walk will begin at 9 a.m. It is one of nine walks scheduled across the state by Walk MS: Georgia to raise funds for research and programs while promoting public awareness of the disease.

“Every step, every person, every second spent and dollar raised, they all add up to an experience unlike any other,” said Ann Ethridge, Albany Walk coordinator. “This is our time to unite and stand strong. Together we will change lives.”

Multiple Sclerosis interrupts the flow of information from the brain to the body and stops people from moving. Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot be predicted.

MS affects 9,000 people in Georgia, more than 400,000 people in the United States and 2.5 million worldwide.

The Georgia chapter assists clients locally by providing direct financial assistance, respite care, self-help groups and peer counseling, community information and referrals, education, publications, and recreational and social programs.

The chapter also conducts in-service training for health care professionals to advance their knowledge 0f MS.

A Walk MS Team Captains Rally is planned Thursday at The Pizza Shop, 232 W. Broad Ave., in downtown Albany. Anyone interested in forming a team or joining a team can drop in between 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Registration will be available.

For additional information on the walk, to register or to donate, call Ethridge at (229) 291-1365 or check www.walkMSgeorgia.org.