A three-mile fundraising walk along San Diego Bay benefiting the war on multiple sclerosis will culminate at Liberty Station on Saturday, April 26.
The 2014 San Diego County Credit Union Walk MS at Liberty Station’s NTC Park, 2750 Womble Road in Point Loma, is hosted by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in San Diego.
The event is expected draw about 3,500 walkers who hope to raise about $525,000 for MS research, programs and services for MS victims.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease affecting nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, disrupting the ability of parts of the body’s nervous system to communicate. MS can lead to restrictive or awkward movements and mental gaps, among other problems. The disease can occur in isolated attacks or attacks that build up over time. Symptoms can disappear between attacks, but permanent neurological problems often occur. The disease usually begins between the ages of 20 and 50 and is twice as common in women as men.
“It’s time to put on your walking shoes and connect people living with MS with those who care about them,” said Rich Israel, president of the National MS Society chapter. “Walk MS is a rallying point of the MS movement. It’s a day when our community comes together to raise funds, show the power of our connections and celebrate hope for the future.”
 Check-in begins at 7 a.m. and the walk begins around 8:30 a.m. On-site registration is available. Admission is free. There is no cost to be a walker. 
San Diego County Credit Union (SDCCU), San Diego’s largest locally-owned financial institution, will return as title sponsor of the 2014 Walk MS. This will be the 13th consecutive year that SDCCU has served as title sponsor. SDCCU has supported the National MS Society’s Walk MS for the last 16 years, and has served as title sponsor since 2002. Over the years, SDCCU’s sponsorship support for Walk MS has exceeded $1 million, according to the National MS Society.
“We are proud to participate in such inspirational events as Walk MS that celebrate the power of a community coming together in a movement toward a world free of multiple sclerosis,” said Teresa Halleck, SDCCU president and CEO. “Team SDCCU, a volunteer group made up of our employees, customers and friends, are eager and ready to step out in the fight against MS.”
Now in its 24th year in San Diego, Walk MS is known for drawing a large number of teams representing businesses, neighborhoods, clubs, community groups, churches and family members and friends of a person with MS. Many teams have a team name and their members are outfitted with costumes, including T-shirts, hats or balloons. All it takes is four or more people to form a team.
Free snacks and beverages will be provided to walkers, plus live music and a festive finish line celebration. Walkers will have the opportunity to earn prizes, including T-shirts, movie tickets and gift cards, based on the amount of donations they collect.
Registration information is available at www.MSWalk.com.