Friends and supporters of Larry Stein (l) of Jackson participate in the MS Walk fundraiser for multiple sclerosis research on the boardwalk in Lake Como, Monmouth County. DAVE BENJAMIN JACKSON — Team High Hopes, now in its ninth year, has been walking to raise funds to help find a cure for multiple sclerosis.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system, which is made up of the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. Symptoms may be mild, such as numbness in the limbs, or severe, such as paralysis or loss of vision. The progress, severity, and specific symptoms of MS are unpredictable and vary from one person to another, according to information posted on the National Multiple Sclerosis Society website.
Many of the members of Team High Hopes are residents of the Four Seasons at Metedeconk Lakes adult community in Jackson. Other team members are friends and relatives of the Four Seasons residents. The team supports Larry Stein, who has MS.
“This year we raised over $5,000,” Stein said. “Since we started walking in 2002, we have raised over $40,000 from our very generous supporters.”
The MSWalk began at Bar Anticipation, Lake Como, on April 10. Participants proceeded to the boardwalk and undertook a journey of three miles through neighboring Spring Lake and back.
Stein said that when family members, friends and neighbors learned about the walk, the team started growing and received an outpouring of love and donations.
Team High Hopes had about 60 walkers and 50 non-walking sponsors this year, including Stein’s wife, Gladie, and daughter, Jodi Erichsen.
“To me the walk means hope, as well as awareness, and to see so many of my family, friends and neighbors supporting me and MS is true simpatico,” Stein said.
Money raised by the walk will go to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for research, education, and support of the MS community.
Next year’s walk is scheduled for April 12, 2012.