BY JENNIFER AMATO
Staff Writer
NORTH BRUNSWICK – The fickle weather didn’t dampen the spirits of the participants who came out to support the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at the MS Walk on Sunday.
Despite the cold and the rain, over 100 people walked 4.5 miles from Babbage Park, around town, and back again while being treated to breakfast, lunch and snacks in between.
“I wanted to help my uncle get better and feel better and all of the people who have MS,” 10-year-old Kari Peterson said.
She accompanied her mother, Mary Gavin, of Berwin, Pa., in collecting over $200 for the cause in support of Gavin’s brother, who has the disease.
“It was sort of a shock when he got the diagnosis when he was young,” she said. “This is his day and I feel we can come out and teach [Kari] about supporting the cause and help Uncle Dan.”
Multiple sclerosis affects 2.5 million people worldwide, with 400,000 of those people living in the United States alone. Every week about 200 people are diagnosed with the chronic neurological disease that affects the central nervous system, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Jackie Jackson is one of those 400,000 people. She has become the ambassador of the walk in North Brunswick and participates with the ribbon cutting before the race and the medal presentation at the end. Her daughter also has the disease.
“It’s absolutely wonderful, it’s exciting, just to see people care and come out and help and walk for MS,” she said. “Words cannot express it. … It’s just a wonderful experience to meet everybody.”
Jackson, of Franklin Park, is excited about the impact fundraising has every year.
“Just knowing there is so much support for [finding] a cure is so wonderful because each year we come closer and closer to a cure,” she said. “We can heighten awareness with things like the MS Walk and the bike tour … and I’m glad to be a part of it.”
Since there is currently no cure for MS and the exact cause is unknown, it is especially important to contribute in any way possible. David Pierpaoli, a North Brunswick resident whose cousin has the disease, has done just that, participating in MS walks for 20 years.
“I do my best each and every year to raise awareness and support for these poor people,” he said. “We keep making more advances each and every year. I just thank God I am able to do this for my cousin and other people. … If we realized how fortunate we are and how blessed we are, this world would be a better place.”
Christopher Sweet of South Brunswick also knows people affected by the disease. Although this was his first year walking, he enjoyed the tour of his neighboring town.
“It’s nice. I think it’s better than walking around in circles in the park because you can see people in the neighborhood.”
A former fraternity member, he has assisted with fundraising and volunteering for organizations such as the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association, but enjoyed being active in the walk itself this year.
“Usually we’re cheering people on but now I’m on the other side of the fence. It’s nice fundraising outside of the group and doing something yourself,” he said.
Although the complete fundraising efforts will not be known until mid-June, North Brunswick’s walk raised $35,000 in 2005, and organizers hope it raised $40,000 this year.
“It makes me feel happy because the people won’t get sick again. … That’s what I hope,” said 6-year-old Jason Hennelly of Monroe. “And I really wanted the medal.”
Volunteers from the township’s Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Services, the Police Department and the First Aid and Rescue Squad were on hand throughout the walk.
Sponsors included Chartwells School Dining Services, Dunkin’ Donuts on Milltown Road, Dunkin’ Donuts on Route 130, Dunkin’ Donuts/Baskin Robbins on Route 1, ShopRite on Route 130, Dunkin’ Donuts at ShopRite on Route 130, Real Tea Beverages and Maples Deli, My Favorite Muffin, Bagel Boys, Berlex Labs, News 12, Foodtown, Commerce Bank and Mountain Spring Water of America.
For details about the MS Society, visit www.nationalmssociety.org.