Photo Credit: Ashley Belmonte
By Ashley Belmonte
I recently participated in Solano County’s Walk MS event. Walk MS is an annual fundraising event organized by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. According to Walk MS, teams of people get together and raise money to change the world for everyone affected by multiple sclerosis; Walk MS takes place at over 400 locations with more than 300,000 people participating every year. To date, Walk MS has raised more than $1 billion to help research and find a cure.
This was fourth year participating in Walk MS. I was diagnosed with MS in February 2013; I was in complete shock with my diagnosis and I gave it a year to sink in. In 2014, I decided that since I had never heard of MS before, I wanted to do something with my family and friends to raise awareness. With the help of my sense of humor, Team Blurred Lines was created! Get it? Because those with MS tend to have occasional blurred vision and have trouble walking straight.
The annual Walk MS event is important to me so that awareness is raised! Many people have never heard of Multiple Sclerosis or, for that matter, the different types of MS. The support that is felt at the walk every year is one of the best feelings. Having friends, family, strangers, and fellow warriors all take a few hours out of their day to walk around the Suisun Marina in hopes to find a cure is a sign of hope for me.
I’ll continue to participate in Walk MS every year until a cure is found! Any donation big or small means millions of people—including myself—are one step closer to becoming MS free!
About the Author: Ashley is the receptionist-extraordinaire for KAI Partners, Inc. and The WorkShop – Sacramento. When she’s not at work, she’s busy wedding planning, shopping, enjoying friends and family, and being a mom to her 9-year-old son, 6-year-old daughter, and 9-year-old bonus son. She’s also a team captain and fundraiser for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s annual Walk MS event.
Great job Ashley! Your KAIP team love and support you! Next year let’s help make Ashley’s team that much bigger!