Melissa Groenewegen has a goal: To make this year’s MS Walk in Snohomish County one for the record books.
For several years, the annual fundraiser for the Multiple Sclerosis Society has been the third biggest in the state.
This year, with more than 1,000 people expected to participate in the three-mile walk, “we’re really hoping to continue to grow and become second largest behind Seattle,” she said.
The fundraising walk will take place on April 12. It will begin and end at the Tulalip Amphitheatre. Planners are hoping to raise about $250,000.
Groenewegen, 44, of Snohomish, has been named the event’s honoree. She has been involved with the annual fundraiser for six years.
“I’m part of a team, which is my family, my husband and kids, and a couple of my children’s friends,” she said. “I’m the fundraiser and they do the walking.
“So it’s a family event for us.” That means husband Bruce and daughters Jennifer, who just turned 14, and Melinda, 10, will participate.
This year, Groenewegen will be looking for familiar faces in the crowd, even as she helps out with last minute, day-of-event details. So many people come back every year, she recognizes many participants. Some come because of a direct connection to the disease, a friend or family member who has multiple sclerosis.
Groenewegen was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1998, shortly after the birth of her daughter. Both feet went numb, she said, “but it took more than a year to figure out what was wrong with me.”
She’s battled chronic nerve pain in her legs, all day, every day, for the past 3 1/2 years. “The more I’m on my legs and with no rest, the worse it is,” she said.
The money raised from the annual MS walk will be used to provide services to multiple sclerosis patients and their families, as well as for research.
Reporter Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486 or salyer@heraldnet.com.
Multiple sclerosis walk by the numbers
ParticipantsMoney raised
2004479$94,754
2005452$119,465
2006617$163,074
2007828$218,855
The Multiple Sclerosis Society’s fundraiser walk in Snohomish County is April 12. The three-mile walk starts and ends at the Tulalip Amphitheatre, 10400 Quil Ceda Blvd. Registration is at 8:30 a.m., and the walk starts at 9:30 a.m.
For more information, call the National MS Society, Greater Washington Chapter, at 1-800-344-4867or go to www.mswashington.org and click on the Walk MS logo.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
