WNY Comes Together for MS Buffalo March

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – Western New Yorkers came together this morning to participate in the 2024 Walk MS Buffalo, where crowds are taking action to find a cure for multiple sclerosis.

People gathered at Canalside to walk and make a difference in the lives of people living with MS.

“Every single person here, if they have it, if they know someone who has it, we’re all here to say, ‘It’s okay, keep going, you’ll be fine, keep going,'” Karen Russo, who was diagnosed with MS in 2011, said. “That’s what I feel every year when I walk in here.”

This year’s walk featured circles of support. Participants holding yellow circles showed their support for the mission to cure the disease. Green circles represented walkers who love someone with MS and walkers with orange circles who are living with MS.

According to the National MS Society, MS affects approximately 2.3 million people, with Western New York having one of the highest rates in the country.

Money raised at this morning’s MS Walk helps support local research and programs for people with MS.

“Overall, this supports our mission to cure MS while enabling people with MS to live their best lives, so things like research, but also helping people in their daily struggles with the disease” , said the president of the National MS Society’s Upstate New York. Chapter, Andy Yates, said.

News 4’s Jacquie Walker is the long-time host of this event.

If you or someone you know has MS, call the toll-free helpline at 800-532-7667 to be connected with a specialist for help, advice and other services.