Three Days, 50 Miles Closer to a Cure

Editor's Note: The following information was provided by Michael, Shelley and Tara Hardimon as a part of their fundraising efforts for the Multiple Sclerosis Challenge Walk.

Last year we participated in the MS Challenge Walk, a three-day walk starting in Hyannis honoring those with Multiple Sclerosis including our mother. We had some (OK, lots) of aches and pains from walking, but we also heard heartfelt stories from amazing people.

Well, we are back again this year! Over the past two years, generous individuals throughout the community allowed our team to raise over $13,000 for MS care and research. This year we want to raise over $7,000 bringing our total to over $20,000! All donations go towards research to help understand and prevent MS, support programs for those with MS today, advocacy and awareness campaigns for the future, as well as clinical trials.

Every hour, another adult in the US receives that diagnosis: multiple sclerosis. MS is a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system. 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. Since our mother was diagnosed, she has been struggling with the unpredictability of the disease, but she also is overcoming it hoping there will one day be a cure. Her strength and determination certainly helped us complete the 50 mile trek last year — this year will be no different.

This year’s walk will be held on September 7-9 and will start in Hyannis and will go through many picturesque towns throughout the Cape including Yarmouth and Brewster. We will walk for three days, covering 50 miles of the Cape, showing our dedication to our mother and many, many others we have met with Multiple Sclerosis. 

You can help us by donating to our team, Northshore Warriors. Please know that any size donation provides hope and strength to our mother, and countless other families. 

Please visit the “Challenge Walk” section on the National MS Society’s Central New England Chapter to donate to our team, the Northshore Warriors. You can also mail a check made payable to the National MS Society to 12 Birchwood Road, Wilmington, MA 01887. Have a QR Reader? Scan the code below to go directly to our page too!

On behalf of our mother and all individuals and families with MS, thank you for your consideration, and taking the time to read this letter!