Walking for multiple sclerosis

BYRAM — Every hour someone is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic disease of the central nervous system for which there is no cure. Multiple sclerosis interrupts the flow of information between the brain and the body and can stop people from moving. Byram resident Allison Kennan was named the 2012 Walk MS Ambassador for the New Jersey Metro Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Kennan, who has been living with MS for the past eight years, will help to raise awareness of this devastating disease and the Walk MS fundraising event by sharing her story. Shortly after becoming pregnant with her first child in 2004, Kennan was diagnosed with MS. Despite giving birth to a normal and healthy baby boy in February 2005, Kennan ignored her MS for the next three years because she wasn't ready to accept it. Finally, she saw some information on Walk MS and decided it was time for her to take control of this disease. “This was how I was going to get involved and learn to accept that I had MS,” said Kennan. Kennan formed a small team called Allison's Angels with a group of friends and family and began fundraising. That first year that Kennan walked with her family and friends was all it took as they continue to walk and fundraise each year. On Sunday, April 15, Kennan and her team will hit the trail to help create a world free of MS in the 2012 Walk MS to be held in Roxbury at Horseshoe Lake Park. Their goal is to create MS awareness and raise funds to support critical programs and services and help fund a cure. The New Jersey Metro Chapter will host 12 Walk MS sites throughout the state with over 10,000 participants and a goal of raising $2 million. Participants are welcome to register individually, or join or create a team. For more information about Walk MS contact Jennifer Hivry at 800-344-4867 or visit www.walknjm.nationalmssociety.org.