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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PHOTOS ATTACHED
More Than 500 New London Residents Step Out For A Single Cause
NEW LONDON, Conn. More than 500 New London residents laced up and stepped out Sunday, April 22, to take part in the annual Travelers MS Walk, presented by UnitedHealth Group. The MS Walk has taken place throughout Connecticut for 18 years and this year marked the 11th year for the New London walk site. Under sunny skies and unseasonably warm temperatures, area residents came out in force to support the more than 6,000 Connecticut residents diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS).
 “Last year, despite pouring rain and cool temperatures, New London raised more than $86,000,” said Michelle Zimnoch, special events director with the Greater Connecticut Chapter. “Once again, the New London walk site planning committee has done a tremendous job bringing people together in a single effort to raise funds to find a cure. We can always count on New London residents to go the extra mile.”
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, oftentimes debilitating disease affecting the central nervous system. Currently, there is no cure for MS. Nearly 6,000 residents across the state live with multiple sclerosis, including more than 400 residents in New London county. More than 400,000 Americans nationwide are living with multiple sclerosis.
“This is the third year my family and friends have participated,” said New London walk committee member Wendy Gustavel, resident of Gales Ferry, Conn. "We walk in honor of my mother, Eileen Skolds, who was diagnosed with MS seven years ago. Volunteering as a member of the walk committee and serving as a walk team captain is my way of supporting my mom.”
 The New London walk site planning committee hopes to raise almost $94,000. The prize deadline for submitting outstanding individual and team pledges is Thursday, May 31. The chapter hopes to raise $1.1 million from the 2007 Travelers MS Walk. Last year, the MS Walk raised approximately $1 million. For more information regarding outstanding pledges and prize eligibility, please call Michelle Zimnoch, special events director, at (860) 714-2300, ext. 234.
5/3/07
NOTE TO MEDIA:
For More Information
Contact Melissa Saranitzky
Communications Coordinator
Phone: 860.714.2300, ext. 239
E-mail: msaranitzky@ctfightsMS.org
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