Community Members Gather in Walk to Fight Against MS

Post date: Sep 24, 2019 7:11:31 PM

RAPID CITY, S.D. -- There are notable avenues in life where individuals find themselves humbled, realizing how important and necessary each and every person is to the well-being of all people. Every spring, Walk MS provides one of those opportunities for Black Hills area residents to discover the magnitude of community.

From wee ones being pushed in strollers to more experienced individuals, all ages were represented at this year’s walk, which was held at Boys Club in Rapid City on May 18. The atmosphere, in spite of the dreary, cold weather, was jovial and upbeat as friends and family greeted each other and made preparations to walk the path in a united fight against MS.

Multiple sclerosis (MS), according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, “is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body.”

With varying results and unpredictable symptoms, MS affects both men and women. A recent study funded by National MS Society, confirms numbers of individuals affected with MS is nearly double from an earlier study estimate. There are nearly one million people living with MS in America.

Fortunately, there are people all around the world, raising money to help find a cure. Co-organizers of the annual local event for the past five years, Tom and Arlene Termes along with several area volunteers and organizations have hosted the annual Walk MS in Rapid City.

“You’ve never really lived until you have done something for somebody who couldn’t possibly repay you,” Tom said, “ and that’s what we should all be doing every day, all the time. 1 John 3:16 says ‘for this is how we know what love is, that Christ gave His life for us and we should do likewise, helping others.’ We are on this planet for a reason, it’s not for personal gain, it’s for service to others.”

Selflessness was the word of the day as brothers, sisters, parents, children, family and friends prepared to walk the loop. Bubbles, sent reeling by Dr. Joanna Jones and her husband, Brian, cascaded through the air, adding to the effervescent feeling in spite of the biting chill in the air. Clanging of the cymbals also added to the thrill.

After the walk, participants returned to Boys Club where they enjoyed pasta and pizza. An atmosphere of unrestrained joy pervaded the building, inside and out.

For the blessings of the day, Walk MS of the Northern Hills offered gratitude for the support of their 2019 national sponsors, including Novartis, a premier national sponsor for the eighth year; Genentech, returns as for the fourth year as a national sponsor; Sanofi Genzyme, a third-year premier national sponsor and supporter of the Living with MS program; BIOGEN, a two-year national Walk MS sponsor; and first-time national sponsors, Celgene and EMD Serono.

Tanner Hart, Profile Manager with Sanford Health, said, “It’s been a great opportunity to come out here and support the community. We like being a part of what this is.”

Area sponsoring businesses included Olive Garden for providing lunch for 250 participants; Domino’s Pizza; KEVN, KOTA and Haugo Broadcasting for donating more than $100,000 in free public service announcements; Deadwood Chamber – Main Street Initiative; Northern Hills Eye Care Clinic, West River Electric, Northwest Pipe, Northern Hills Federal Credit Union, Midco, Club for Boys and Sabers Insurance.

“Our overall event donation level this year will be 15% higher than last year and it is all because of you,” Tom said to participants. “Thank you,” he said, adding, “In the past five years the size of our walk has Doubled! Top teams included MS LUV Squad; Team TerMeS; Beringer, MS Fighting Ranges; Russ, Gus and Us; and Ambulamus.”

Special thanks were offered to Jenny Ireland, Jan and Mac MacArthur, Wade Beringer, Megan Buehler, Jon Englund, Judy Sawyer and Marilyn Bates for their contributions and dedication to Walk MS.

“These are the spark plugs that drive us forward,” Tom said, referring to the individuals who are constant in their determination to make the event a success.

As the event wound down, a final thought resonated with individuals at Walk MS.

“We are told by the apostle Paul to not complain,” Tom said. “Rather we are to consider how we may help others.”