More than 300 people are expected to raise more than $20,000 at Walk MS: Williamsport on Saturday, May 5, at Pennsylvania College of Technology. Walk MS is an opportunity for people to come together with friends, loved ones, and co-workers to fundraise, connect, and advocate for people affected by MS. Each dollar raised is one step closer to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s goal of a world free of MS. Since its inception in 1988, Walk MS has cumulatively raised more than $1 billion.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. The cause of MS is still unknown — scientists believe the disease is triggered by an as-yet-unidentified environmental factor in a person who is genetically predisposed to respond.

The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with at least two to three times more women than men being diagnosed with the disease.

Local Walk participant, Christine Bryant, explained why she got involved with the MS Walk.

“My friend, Lana Encke and I both started working at Jersey Shore State Bank in 2006,” Bryant told “Webb Weekly.” When Lana started working at the bank, she was already involved with the MS walk prior years with her team the Miracle Seekers. It was important to get involved in the walk each year not only to support Lana who has been diagnosed with MS but also to help to raise funds to help with finding a cure for those who have been affected by this disease. So far, the Miracle Seekers team has been able to raise a total of over $21,000 since the team was formed in the year 2000. To raise this amount of money we have had bake sales, dine to donate at Perkins and raffled off baskets that have been donated by co-workers, friends, and family. As an employee of Jersey Shore State Bank, the bank has also matched the total funds that were raised from having our annual bake sale.”

Encke described her experience being involved with Walk MS.

“The MS walk for me is something that I need to do so that maybe in my lifetime we all can be free of this terrible disease, Encke said. “I want the public to know that the symptoms of MS are not always visible. Many that have been diagnosed are not able to walk without some assistance, but others may have symptoms that cannot be seen on the outside. If you have MS or know someone that has it, please let them know that the National Multiple Sclerosis Society is here to help. You can go online at http://www.nationalmssociety.org for more information regarding, what MS is, symptoms and diagnosis, treating MS, what research is being done, and how you can get involved.”

The response of the local community to the Walk MS has been positively noted by officials at the National MS Office in Harrisburg.

“We have a wonderful core group of volunteers in Williamsport dedicated to making connections with those who need encouragement, information, and concrete resources to live better lives with MS,” Katie Grisbacher, Specialist, Walk MS at the National MS Office in Harrisburg, said. “We believe that Walk MS is a way for people to come together in support of those they love who live daily with the challenges of MS. The funds we raise support MS research and services such as the MS Navigators, available via phone to provide comprehensive support including crisis intervention, financial planning, health professional referrals, and more.”

“Walk MS is all about community — people coming together to raise money and show support for loved ones, colleagues and friends,” said Cyndi Zagieboylo, President, and CEO of the National MS Society. “Funds raised have a direct impact in this community, for example — our MS Navigator program. MS Navigators are highly-skilled, compassionate professionals available to connect each person affected by MS to the resources and information they need to live their best lives.”

To register for the walk, you can visit walkMS.org.

You can also wait to register on the same day as the walk. Registration for the walk starts at 10:00 a.m. and the walk begins at 11:00 a.m. There are two walking routes to choose from, 5K or 1 mile.