Walk MS held to raise money, awareness of multiple sclerosis

MILWAUKEE -- Multiple sclerosis is a disease that's known for slowing people down, and there's no known cure. Sunday, May 6th thousands took part in the annual Wisconsin's Milwaukee Walk MS along Milwaukee's lakefront to raise awareness and fight for a cure.

There was a feeling of optimism Sunday at the Summerfest grounds as people joined together to raise money for multiple sclerosis - a disease with no known cure, and no known cause. The disease affects the central nervous system.

Sunday's walk provides doctors and researchers funding for further research into the disease, and leaves people like Jeffrey Gingold excited about what may come in the near future. "It helps people cope. It helps better medical treatments out there. You have to stay active because MS doesn't go away, and it doesn't get better by itself," Gingold said.

Gingold is a former partner at a Brookfield law firm, diagnosed with MS in 1996. His symptoms would come and go, and included no vision in one of his eyes and numbness in his hands and legs. Once he found it difficult to remember things, he knew something was wrong. "Just keeping up with work and all of the multi-tasking details physically and mentally, it just didn't work anymore," Gingold said.

Gingold didn't plan on retiring at age 41, but for the last 11 years, he's dedicated his life to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and working to raise awareness of the disease that changed his life forever. "I have hope, I really do," Gingold said.

There were 18 multiple sclerosis walks across the state of Wisconsin Sunday, May 6th. The goal is to raise more than $1.5 million for MS research.

CLICK HERE to learn more about Wisconsin's Milwaukee Walk MS, or to make a donation.

CLICK HERE to learn more about multiple sclerosis via the National MS Society's website.