2009 Travelers Walk to fight MS

New Haven (WTNH) - Dr. William Petit of Cheshire and Lisa Gerrol, president and chief professional officer for the National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter joined us this morning to talk about the 2009 Travelers Walk MS.

The walk will take place at the Hyde School in Woodstock, Sunday, April 26, and at 11 additional sites across the state Sunday, April 19. More than 7,000 participants will be walking to raise awareness and funds in the fight against multiple sclerosis.

In 2008, the walk event raised more than $1.2 million to help keep MS research moving toward a cure. The chapter hopes to raise more than $1.3 million this year.

Dr. Petit's wife Jenifer was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Before the tragic loss of Jenifer and daughters Hayley and Michaela, the Petit family was very involved with the National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter. The family was among their strongest fundraisers and most tireless volunteers.

Hayley captained the Walk MS Team Hayley's Hope and had been named a top fundraiser multiple years. Over eight years, she raised more than $55,000 to help keep research moving toward a cure for MS. Hayley had planned to attend Dartmouth College in the fall of 2007, and, consequently, her younger sister Michaela was already preparing to step into her big sister's shoes to head up her own walk team, Michaela's Miracle.

Dr. Petit is still active in the fight against MS and will be stepping out for the Travelers Walk, presented by Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center. Many Connecticut communities heard Dr. Petit's call to continue the work of his wife and daughters and have, as a result, formed Walk MS teams devoted to raising funds to support people with MS and help move science closer to a cure.

News Channel 8's own Darren Kramer is the Grand Marshal for this event and will step out in Cheshire. Gil Simmons will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the Woodstock site.

The 11 walk sites for April 19 are:

• Cheshire at Cheshire High School
• Clinton at Joel Elementary School
• Enfield at Stowe School
• Litchfield at Town Green
• Manchester at Manchester Community College
• New London at Mitchell College
• Simsbury at Westminster School
• West Hartford University of Connecticut, West Hartford Campus
• West Haven at West Haven High School
• Westport at Sherwood Island State Park
• University of Connecticut, Storrs Campus

The walk will also step off on April 26 from a 12th site, the Hyde School in Woodstock.

Check-in begins at 8 a.m., and the walk event will begin at 9 a.m. Prizes will be awarded to participants for extraordinary fundraising efforts.

There are currently more than 6,000 Connecticut residents battling the unpredictable and potentially debilitating effects of multiple sclerosis. MS is a chronic, often disabling disease. It's generally diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50. Symptoms can range from numbness in the extremities, loss of vision and, in severe cases, complete paralysis.

The progression, severity and specific symptoms related to MS in any one person cannot be predicted, but advances in research and treatments are providing hope to those affected by the disease.

To learn more about the Travelers Walk MS or multiple sclerosis, please visit www.ctfightsMS.org.