A Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Fun Walk, Run, or Roll event held Saturday, Oct. 29, beginning at Village Green Shopping Center, drew many participants.
According to organizer Chris Cram, four of those who came out to take part in the event have been diagnosed with MS and many others were family and friends of those who suffer from the incurable ailment. The event was not held for anyone specific, but to bring attention to the medical issue and raise funds for research. There were no winners for the event, since it was for fun.
Cram said the date of Aug. 28, 2001, is firmly in her memory, since that was the day she received the diagnosis. She waited two weeks for the diagnosis, which was given, Cram said by the doctor in almost these words - "This is what you have and there is no cure." In the past 15 years, she has had her ups and downs. According to Cram, the treatment is trial and error, since some medication will work on some and not on others.
Currently, Cram's MS is in remission, although the recent testing has shown additional lesions on her brain. As a result of the living with MS, Cram has become active in the support groups and chairs the Ashland MS Fun Walk, Run or Roll.
The group sponsors several of the events around the area. This year, California was selected for one of the events. Cram hoped for 20 people to come for the event, and was pleased when about 50 showed up. The amount of funds raised from entry fees and silent auction was not available at press time.