Sharing Works
Every hour of every day, someone is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS).
MS is a chronic, often disabling, neurological disease that affects more than 250,000 people in the United States alone. Most of the time, the disease strikes adults ages 20-50, sometimes sentencing them to wheelchairs and even death. MS has an impact on the friends and families of those with the disease as well.
Utilities sponsor nine
walks
Sempra Energy's California utilities, Southern
California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) and San
Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) are helping to fight this
awful disease by serving as title sponsors of nine MS walks in Southern
California in April. Most of the walks are an easy 5K (3.1 miles).
The minimum suggested donation is $25 to take part. The money raised
will go to the MS Society, Pacific Coast Chapter, and MS Society
Southern California Chapter, for programs, services and research
for MS.
Money goes to research,
programs
"We are extremely pleased that SoCalGas and SDG&E are sponsoring these walks to help raise money for our many research, educational and rehabilitation programs," says Allan Shaw, president and CEO of the Pacific South Coast Chapter. "The primary objective of the various MS chapters is to help people with MS and their families lead happier, healthier lives through community support."
"Our utilities are proud to sponsor the various walks," says Kimberly Freeman, director of Community Relations for the Sempra utilities. "While there is no known cause or cure for MS, there is increasing hope and support arising from the research and service programs the MS Society supports nationally and throughout Southern California.
Lace up your shoes
and take part
"Our goal is to have dozens of employees, their friends and families sign up for an MS Walk in their area to help raise money for this important cause," adds Freeman."Not only will you have a chance to enjoy some beautiful scenery, fresh air and get some exercise, there will also be bands, food and prize giveaways at each location."
Upcoming walks
Here are the dates and sites of the upcoming walks:
SoCalGas-sponsored walks
- Saturday, April 8
- Bakersfield
- Irvine
- Lancaster
- Redlands
- Santa Barbara
- Saturday, April 9
- Saturday, April 22
SDG&E-sponsored walks
- Saturday, April 29
- Saturday, April 30
- Embarcadero Marina Park South
How to register
To register, go to the event Web site: www.800fightms.com.
