WILMINGTON, MA — Team Sweaty Already is back again this year to raise funds and increase awareness about Multiple Sclerosis. The team is participating in the MS Challenge Walk — a 3-Day, 50-mile walk that takes place on September 11-13, in Cape Cod. Last year, team Sweaty Already raised over $9,000 bringing the 5 year total to $34,000. Our goal is to raise $10,000 this year which will bring the 6 year fundraising to $45,000. Proceeds from the walk and their annual Bags and Beers fundraiser support the National MS Society’s Greater New England Chapter.
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, unpredictable disease of the central nervous system (CNS), which is made up of the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. The immune system incorrectly attacks healthy tissue in the CNS. MS can cause many symptoms, including blurred vision, loss of balance, poor coordination, slurred speech, tremors, numbness, extreme fatigue, problems with memory and concentration, paralysis, and blindness and more. These problems may come and go or persist and worsen over time. Most people are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, although individuals as young as 2 and as old as 75 have developed it.
Proceeds specifically are directed to the Greater New England Chapter—which works to improve quality of life for individuals and families affected by MS In Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont and Rhode Island. The chapter raises funds for cutting-edge research, driving change through advocacy, facilitating professional education and providing programs and services that empower people with MS and their families to move their lives forward.
Tara Tonello and Shelley Kresser (formerly both Hardimon’s, Wilmington residents) started fundraising in 2010 in honor of their mom, Susan Hardimon, who was diagnosed in 2003. They participate and fundraise for the MS Challenge Walk, along with their husbands Brian and Erik to give back and to honor their mom for all that she has done, and the bravery that she shows each day facing this unpredictable disease. Each day is a struggle for her, but she is determined in battling, overcoming, and adapting her life because of her MS.
Their annual fundraiser to raise funds for their fundraising requirement, which is $1,500 per person, is taking place on Saturday August 1st, 2015 at the Knights of Columbus in Wilmington. This is a cornhole/bean bag toss tournament. The first year featured over 32 teams and raised nearly $5,000. Last year there were over 40 teams participating, and the team raised over $9,000 because of the success of the tournament. All proceeds from “Bags and Beers” goes to the team’s MS Challenge Walk fundraising efforts. Team donation amount (2 players) is $50. There will be other fun activities, raffles, food and music there for those who might not want to play, but still want come out to show your support. The Knights of Columbus and other local businesses generously donate the space and pizza to keep costs low, which helps us raise more money for those with MS.
The MS Challenge Walk weekend is an amazing experience where over 500 walkers come together to honor those they know with MS. It truly is a powerful event and Team Sweaty Already “feels so furtunate to be able to walk each year in honor of those who can’t. 50 miles over 3 days is no easy task. You walk 20 miles on Friday, 20 miles on Saturday and then 10 on Sunday, but it’s nothing comapred to what those living with MS have to face and each day. The blisters, muscle ache’s, sunburns, sore legs and “sweaty” days are worth it as we know we are making a difference and empowering those with MS. Every dollar we raise helps the National MS Society get one step closer to finding a cure and allows them to provide additional support services and programs to help those living with MS today.” Says Tara Tonello
To learn more about the team’s fundraising efforts, visit HERE. Here you can register toparticipate in the cornhole tourament, learn more about team Sweaty Already, and access information on how you can donate and give back. Thank you to Grow Socially/Interlink One for hosting and designing the website!
Donations help in the fight against Multiple Sclerosis and those 2.3 million people living with the disease worldwide.
(NOTE: The above press release and photos were submitted by Team Sweaty Already.)
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