North Bay’s Super Cities Walk exceeds goal

Sunday morning, participants in the Super Cities Walk for Multiple Sclerosis start their journey at Tweedsmuir Public School on Lakeshore Drive. (Photo by Bill Tremblay)

The 14th Annual Super Cities walk for Multiple Sclerosis marched passed its goal of $25,000 this Sunday.

The event raised $26,016 for MS, which does not include online pledges. As well, participants still have a month to collect and hand in additional donations.

“It is insane today. I’m glad it’s busy,” Megan Murphy, Fundraising Coordinator for the Ontario Division of the MS Society said.

Murphy explained over 230 people registered for the walk, most of which bring family and friends along for the hike.

“We’re about 100 people over last year’s registration. This is a phenomenal turnout,” Murphy said.

The walk, which consists of a four kilometer route and an eight kilometer route, has traditionally been held the same weekend as Heritage Festival.

“We changed the date because our numbers are getting bigger,” she said.

“Also during Heritage Festival there are too many things going on and not enough emphasis on the walk, we wanted to make it a bigger deal.”

Murphy explained there is still no known cause or cure for MS. Canada has one of the highest rates of the disease with over 50,000 people living with the illness.

“It’s a terrible disease that gets people when they are in their 20’s, just when they are beginning to live,” Heather Turcotte, a veteran Super Cities walker said.

“MS takes away their enjoyment of life.”

Turcotte, who raised over $200 for the walk, explained she knows the effects of MS first hand. Her sister died from the disease, and her niece and several friends have also contracted MS.

Turcotte explained she has participated in 13 of the 14 Super Cities walks.

“I’ve got a t-shirt for each year.”