MS Walk: Participants take aim at debilitating disease

Maureen Rohlfs, middle photo, development manager with the Nebraska Multiple Sclerosis Association (Society), answers questions posed by Adam Spanier, station manager at KNGN 1360 AM and worldwide at www.kngn.org during a live remote Saturday during the MS Walk. (Dawn Cribbs/McCook Daily Gazette). [Click to enlarge]

Joann Nemechek, volunteer organizer of the annual Multiple Sclerosis Walk, was thrilled with the support shown by the community Saturday at Norris Park.

With a picnic table laden with sub sandwiches from Subway, sandwiches from Runza, pizzas from Country Kitchen, fresh fruit from Schmick's Market, a relish tray from Raye's Grocery in Oberlin, donuts from Oz-Tex, and popcorn fresh from Cinema III, among other items, walkers had no trouble replacing the calories burned while trekking around the new sidewalks.

Maureen Rohlfs, development manager with the Nebraska Multiple Sclerosis Society, was on hand, answering questions throughout the day and encouraging walkers, in person and during a live interview with Adam Spanier, station manager for KNGN 1360 AM and worldwide at www.kngn.org.

"This is my 8th walk this year," she said, "and I'm sure we'll make our goal of $5,000 for this walk." Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Nebraska is the presenting sponsor of the Nebraska walks.

TierOne Banks has selected multiple sclerosis as the corporate charity of the year and branches across Nebraska have raised more than $4,000. Everyone from the McCook branch participated in the walk Saturday.

Rohlfs explained that 40 percent of the proceeds from the walks in Nebraska are sent on to the national office for research and the remaining funds are distributed throughout the state, used for financial assistance programs for mobility equipment, support for the many self-help groups organized throughout the state and the annual "Getaway Weekend" for people with multiple sclerosis, their caregivers and family members.

John Fox of Culbertson attended the 2008 Getaway Weekend in Omaha.

"There was so much to do," he said, mentioning the water park and Henry Doorley Zoo, commenting specifically on the Western Heritage Museum. "We had a lot of fun."

In addition to national sponsorships, area businesses also contributed to the effort, with Willow Creek Meats again offering chances to win a gift certificate for $100 to those contributing at least $10. Howard and Janet Kool, with Mobility Motors, brought a van to the park and answered questions. They also contributed toward the Willow Creek Meats certificate along with Cal Siegfried, Scott Carlin and Lee Hoyt. Another coveted prize was the Amazing Race hat from host Phil Keoghan. Locally, Orscheln's, Sears and Arby's contributed prizes as did Brian Wright of Palisade.

Multiple sclerosis affects at least 8,400 Nebraskans, according Rohlfs. "Of course, we only know of those who have contacted the association, so we know that there are more." The Nebraska chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society helps more than 27,000 people statewide that are impacted by MS.

What Keoghan refers to as a "cruel disease," multiple sclerosis attacks the central nervous system, most commonly afflicts women, and is typically diagnosed in people between the ages of 20-50.

Symptoms vary but can include fatigue, numbness, balance problems, vision problems, dizziness and emotional changes. In MS, damage to the myelin in the central nervous system and to the nerve fibers themselves, interferes with the transmission of nerve signals between the brain and spinal cord and other parts of the body, making symptoms variable and unpredictable.

According to the National MS Society Web site at www.nationalmssociety.org, no two people have the exactly the same symptoms and each person's symptoms can change or fluctuate over time.

In fact, one person might experience only one or two of the possible symptoms while another person experiences many more.

Nationwide, approximately 400,000 people have MS with another 200 diagnosed with the affliction each week.

"It's important that we make people aware of this devastating disease," said Rohlfs, "so that we can join forces to determine the cause and find the cure."

For more information, go online to www.nationalmssoc iety.org and click on the Nebraska link or call (402) 505-4000.