Over 115 teams have pledged to walk in the 2008 MS Walk. This upcoming fundraiser, taking place on Sunday, May 4 at Belmont State Park and Jones Beach State Park. This year's walk is expected to have the highest attendance in MS Walk history on Long Island --- over 10,000 walkers are expected to participate!

The event, which is one of 600 taking place across the country, is the signature fundraising event of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Here on Long Island, the event takes place at dual locations. The Jones Beach State Park Walk begins at 10 a.m. If you are interested in walking with your favorite furry friend, you can join the "doggy-friendly" Pooch Parade taking place at Belmont State Park at 10:30 a.m.

Pamela J. Mastrota, president of the MS Society Long Island Chapter, said, "Joining the movement with hundreds of thousands of people across the country is an experience like no other. Each year I am inspired by the dedication of our participants, volunteers and sponsors. We walk together to make a powerful statement, and to keep moving toward a cure. We look to the future, a world free of MS."

Walkers decide to participate for many different reasons. Some have a close personal connection to MS. Others simply walk for exercise and to raise money for a good cause. Elka Shapiro, a three time walker in the MS Walk said, "I love to participate in walks like these because you get to spend time with friends and raise money for a good cause. In this time-pressed society, it's great to take some time out to walk with friends...and raise money for a great organization in the process!"

MS stops people from moving. The National MS Society Long Island Chapter exists to make sure it doesn't. We help each person address the challenges of living with MS. In 2006 alone, through our home office and 50 state network of chapters, we devoted nearly $126 million to programs that enhanced more than one million lives to move us closer to a world free of MS. The Society also invested more than $46 million to support 380 research projects around the world. We are people who want to do something about MS NOW. Join the movement at nmssli.org. For more information or to make a donation, please call the MS Society at (631) 864-3337.