Walking to fight multiple sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis Canada – Mauricie Sector is back with its 30th annual March, a major fundraising event for the organization. In Mauricie, three outings will take place on Sunday, May 26, from 11 a.m.: at Parc Pi XII in Trois-Rivières, at Parc Saint-Maurice in Shawinigan and at Parc Saint-Louis in La Tuque.

“This year is really special for us because it is the 50th anniversary of MS Mauricie, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of our walk,” said Lilianne Demers-Lamarche, Director of Multiple Sclerosis Canada – Mauricie. When it was founded thirty years ago, its main purpose was to raise awareness. Even if today this disease is better known, we continue to organize it for the well-being it gives to people who have suffered, seeing people’s support. We also do this for the funds raised because it helps us offer services to our people here as the money stays in Mauricey. »

“This year we will again offer three walking sites: in La Touquet, Shawinigan and Trois-Rivieres. Registration is free, fundraising is voluntary and therefore not mandatory. We are aiming to exceed the amount raised last year, so we have set a goal of $38,500. In terms of pedestrians, last year we had 280, so it would be interesting to get over 300.”

To support the event, Laurie Bellerive will serve as honorary president, and the 2024 Great Walk will be represented by Isabelle Rivas, who has had multiple sclerosis for over 30 years and is a member of the board of directors of Multiple Sclerosis Canada. – Sector Morisi.

“I have spent a lot of time with people struggling with multiple sclerosis and have known Denis (Baribeault, chairman of SP Mauricie) for several years. We also run classes on Fridays for people living with multiple sclerosis, so I was certainly honored when I was asked if I would like to be honorary president,” Ms Bellerive said. I also felt that I could make an impact through my network. Long story short, we will be there with my kids on May 26th and invite people to come and hang out as a family to make it a family activity. »

“I got the good news by email and I had a lot of fun,” Ms. Rivas said. I have had multiple sclerosis for 32 years and am very involved in it. I want to prove that we can continue to feel good despite illness. At Mauricie we are first and foremost the best team and we are happy to raise funds for the people here in Mauricie. »

Items commemorating the organization’s 50th anniversary, such as stuffed animals or cutting boards, are also up for sale to raise funds. For more information or to register for the walk, visit https://msspwalk.donordrive.com/.