Second Lucy in the Sky Walk for MS September 12
Jessica Smith
Atikokan’s second Lucy in the Sky Walk for MS happens Sunday, September 12, with funds raised going to support those with MS and research on a procedure that is offering new hope to those with the debilitating disease.
“We’re excited because local MS patients will benefit from any funds raised at this walk,” said Val Fraser, who has MS and is coordinating the walk with Gasparotto’s sister, Giannina Veltri.
Money raised by this year’s participants in the three kilometre walk around Little Falls and Bunnell Park will help fund research into chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) and its relationship to Multiple Sclerosis.
Given Gasparotto’s passion to promote awareness of the disease, the focus of this year’s fundraising effort is fitting, said Fraser, who was a friend of hers.
“She was really keen on education; it’s something she would have been excited about.”
In fact, the potential of the new procedure has many MS patients excited since it gained public attention last year through the work of an Italian researcher, Dr. Paolo Zamboni. His research seemed to indicate abnormalities exist in the veins draining the brain and spinal cord of people with MS. He developed a treatment – a type of angioplasty to widen the blood flow in the affected veins – that may reduce the symptoms of MS sufferers.
The MS Society of Canada and the National MS Society are supporting research into this treatment, and some Atikokanites with MS, including Fraser, will participate in the study.
Fraser said the study will initially use imaging technology to determine if there are blockages and if the procedure is proven to benefit MS patients, the MS Clinic in Thunder Bay may begin conducting procedures on some patients, as soon as next year. “My neurologist said he has seen some miraculous recoveries already,” she said. “We’re really, really excited. It’s very real, very encouraging.”
Atikokan is home to several with MS and in fact, Fraser said “The community would be surprised at the percentage of the population per capita that has the disease.”
It can be largely an invisible ailment, she said. Diagnosed in 1996, Fraser, like Gasparotto, has the relapsing/remitting type of the disease, and suffered two severe attacks which put her in a wheelchair for close to a year each time. “It’s kind of confusing for people when they see me one year and I’m in a wheelchair and I’m really in a bad state and this year, I’m walking and dancing,” said Fraser who is hoping to complete the walk.
“I seize the day because it can hit like a runaway train tomorrow; you can’t predict it. You can do the right things – sleep, balance and exercise and still have an attack.”
MS affects every patient differently, and can affect vision, balance, cognitive function, heat tolerance, bladder and bowel function, as it attacks the nerve lining.
She said that, particularly for those who suffer from the progressive form of the disease (where patients don’t experience remission from symptoms), medications may not be very effective; that’s where this new procedure offers real hope.
Gasparotto succumbed after a 20-year battle due to MS related complications in 2007 at the age of 41. The first Lucy walk was held in 2008 in her memory, and raised $9,300. The event was cancelled due to family illness last year, but pledges raised last year will go to this year’s event.
“It will be really heartwarming for [the family] to see a show of support and a celebration of Lucy.”
Participants can walk as a team (of at least two walkers) or individually, and can register as soon as possible so t-shirts can be ordered for walkers. Those who are physically unable to walk, can team up with a walker to raise pledges, said Fraser. Forms can be picked up at, and returned to, the Enchanted Florist or Fraser (597-4217). The minimum pledge amount is $65 for adults, $25 for 13-17 years, and $15 for ages 12 and under.
The walk will go ahead rain or shine, beginning at the Little Falls Community Centre (check-in at 10 am; opening ceremonies and warm-up at 11:45 am; walk begins at noon). The route will take walkers out to Little Falls and through Bunnell Park, Gasparotto’s favourite place to walk with beloved dog, Bailey.
Because she was “an absolute lover of animals”, pets are welcome on the walk, as long as they are on a leash, said Fraser.
The walk wraps up with a spaghetti dinner at the Legion, where prizes and a trophy for the team that raises the most pledges, will be awarded.
“Everyone is walking for someone they know,” said Fraser. The MS Society “is making great strides, but they can’t do it without research dollars.”
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