On Sunday, May 7, over 100 of Drumheller and area residents will come together for the Drumheller Jayman BUILT MS Walk to demonstrate their power in helping to change the lives of local families, and people across the country, affected by multiple sclerosis (MS).
For one Drumheller woman, she has been participating for two decades.
Justine Wilton has several close family members affected by MS and has been participating in the Drumheller Jayman BUILT MS Walk with her parents since the age of 4. Today, as a 24-year old, she is still passionate about finding a cure for MS, as well as improving the quality of life for people who live with the disease.
Justine is the team captain of Rudolph’s Team, a team made up of her immediate family members and closest friends. She created the team to honour the memory of her grandfather, Frank Laslo, who lived with severe MS and passed away four years ago.
“My grandfather was one of my role models and this is the fourth year we have walked together as Rudolph’s Team in his memory.” Justine adds, “He was one of the hardest working, kindest people I have ever known in my entire life. Despite all the struggles and hardships he experienced living with the disease, he was always positive about everything and even used his disease as a learning experience for me as a child. He was a great man and he taught me so much.”
Rudolph’s Team has raised over $12,700 through their participation in the Jayman BUILT MS Walk over the past four years; and, this year, Rudolph’s Team is setting their goals high as they target to raise $10,000. Justine is looking forward to walking again this year alongside her team members and over 100 community members who all share the goal of finding a cure and improving the lives of Canadians affected by MS. Justine adds,
“I often think about my grandfather, a hardworking farmer that loved nothing more than being out on the open prairie, who had to give up farming, something he loved very much, after being diagnosed with MS. To me, a cure for MS would mean that people with MS wouldn’t have to struggle as much or quit the things they are most passionate about.”
Justine and members of Rudolf’s team will be walking for the 100,000 Canadians living with MS on Sunday, May 7 in Drumheller at the Badlands Community Centre. Funds raised at the Jayman BUILT MS Walk are dedicated to supporting groundbreaking, Canadian-led research, as well as helping Canadians with MS improve their quality of life.
“We’re asking Drumheller residents to show their enduring support in the fight against MS by registering and joining us at the Jayman BUILT MS Walk May 7th,” says Kim Mortimer, Development Coordinator for Central Alberta. “The Walk is our annual opportunity to demonstrate to people living with MS that they are not alone. Even if every new participant made a small contribution, it would make a big difference in the success of our event and our capacity to help improve the quality of life for people with MS who need and deserve our support,” adds Mortimer.
The MS Society is dedicated to funding research and services that empower Canadians affected by MS. Money raised through the Jayman BUILT MS Walk will help fund local programs and services to help people effectively manage and cope with MS, and will also fuel Canadian MS research into causes, improved treatments, and a cure.
