Friday, May 7, 2010

MS Walk 2010 Part 3

Together, CraniuMS crossed the finish line! Once the walk was finished we found hope for a new tomorrow. We celebrated not only making our goal, but exceeding our goal and raising $11,619.83 to help the National MS Society address the challenges of each person whose life is affected by MS.
To celebrate our achievement we took some time out to enjoy some lunch complements of Papa John's Pizza!
Thanks to your donations some of our team members were able to raise over $1000 each, which earned our team a special spot in the exclusive "VIP Tent"! And last but not least, what would a walk around Minnehaha Park be without a visit to Minnehaha Falls!
Last year i set out to take the reigns against a disease that blindsided my husband and I. It has been 18 months and 16 days since the initial diagnosis in our family, and since then two more diagnoses have followed in our immediate family. Without the awareness of Multiple Sclerosis, i believe many people will continue to go undiagnosed and without the proper treatment to modify the disease course. The response of the team CraniuMS that we built to help aid our fight has been nothing short of incredible, and the dedication of our mission in this years walk has left our hearts touched in a way that cannot be described.
The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen. Thank you all for being beautiful.
Love,
Heather

Thursday, May 6, 2010

MS Walk 2010 Part 2

As CraniuMS began our walk journey we couldn't help but notice the mood in the air circling all around us. Here we were, along with thousands of others, to come together and walk united. Taking in the view of all of the people who share our same goal was breathtaking. People of all ages came out to support those who fight MS. Finally, after three months of fundraising and awareness, CraniuMS put one foot in front of the other and moved forward. Each step we took along our 1.5 mile route was a step towards victory in the fight against MS! We walked for those who live with MS everyday and for those family and friends affected by this disease.

Along our 1.5 mile route we took the time to take a few rests and take it all in! It was the moments like these when we reminded ourselves what we are walking for.



And alas, the moment it all comes down to when we approach to cross the finish line. As we cross the finish line it is one step closer to a cure and a feeling of triumph. We finish together, arm to arm, and in that moment we're all the same. It's in that moment that we all feel in control and all feel empowered to make a difference.




Although we finished the 2010 MS walk, we still have a load of work ahead of us in the fight against MS! We will keep moving forward for our loved ones and it will only get better from here!

Check back tomorrow for more pictures as we officially wrap up this years successful event!

"Captain Crunch"

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

MS Walk 2010 Part 1

After a weekend filled with cold wind and rain, the day of the walk turned out absolutely beautiful! Our Sunday morning started bright and early as we woke up at about 6:30am to get ready to head out to Minnehaha Park in Minneapolis, MN. Our walk started even earlier as we decided to skip the shuttle and walk the 2 mile stretch to Minnehaha Park!

Once we finally arrived to Minnehaha Falls we got all checked in and took in the sites of all the MS Walk festivities. We fueled our bellies with bannanas, protein bars, coffee and water as we prepared for our walk!We has some celebrity sightings the morning of the walk. We were excited to see the Pillsbury Dough Boy (Hoo Hooooo!) and the Papa John's Pizza Boy!

9am rolled around and the CraniuMS walkers started to congregate! The show of support from everyone that was able to show up to walk to create a world free of MS was incredible. It is because of friends and family that we are able to live with MS everyday and feel supported and loved. It may not always be easy, but having such supportive friends and family in our lives is what gets us through it all!

The atmosphere was filled with positivity and enlightenment as we prepared to walk to create a world free of MS! CraniuMS joined the movement with thousands of other people! Stay tuned for Part 2 of our MS Walk journey as we set out to start the walk and inspire those all around us!

"Captain Crunch"