And while that might mean difficult times for some organizations, the new plan has resulted in something even larger and an event that will span the entirety of Canada.
The #WeChallengeMS virtual campaign kicked off at the beginning of the month and is currently connecting tens of thousands of Canadians affected by MS through wide variety of online projects and events.
“This is a difficult time for all Canadians and for Canadians living with MS, these are especially challenging times as the global pandemic adds an additional stress to an at-risk population,” said Pamela Valentine, president of the MS Society of Canada. “As we navigate this new reality, it’s important to continue to come together as a community and support one another. Achieving a world free of MS will take all of us and every action taken by each caring Canadian brings us closer. By communities helping each other, we can all challenge MS together.”
Throughout the month, #WeChallengeMS asks Canadians to turn ordinary hobbies likes baking, running or cycling into fundraising opportunities.
Their website -- found by searching WeChallengeMS – also offers a host of ideas including hosting a virtual party and using Echoage to raise funds, streaming video games or a music set and asking for your community to support MS research, or even starting a Facebook fundraising campaign.
The major event will take place on Sunday, May 24 as individuals and families from Moose Jaw can join those from across Canada in walking on their own to celebrate advances made in MS research while helping future research through their fundraising in the process.
Those looking to be a part of a fundraiser can register on the #WeChallengeMS website, but raising money isn’t the whole idea behind the project – the sense of community and support the various events will bring is just as important. And those taking part don’t have to register, simply participating and raising awareness is just fine, too.
“By fundraising and participating in #WeChallengeMS, while maintaining physical distancing, Canadians can help provide a sense of community and essential support to people affected by MS while continuing to fund the research that is so fundamental to changing their lives,” Valentine said.
Canada has one of the highest rates of MS in the world, with an average of 11 Canadians diagnosed with the disease every date.
Multiple sclerosis attacks the central nervous system and causes a wide variety of unpredictable and often debilitating effects. Most people are diagnosed between the age of 20 and 49 and will live with the effects of the disease their whole lives.
The MS Society provides information and support to those affected by MS, while also working to find a cause and a cure for the disease. For more information, visit mssociety.ca or call 1-800-268-7582 for more information.
