Since being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2002, Hicksville resident Lisa Zeankowski has been working tirelessly to raise awareness and funds for the chronic neurological disease that affects the central nervous system. Almost immediately after her diagnosis, Lisa, in an effort to educate herself and her kids, set out to obtain as much information about MS as possible.

In doing so, she established an online support group (www.groups.msn.com/leeleesmssupportgroup) to help others and, in spring 2003, she formed Team Newly Diagnosed Fight and participated in her first National Multiple Sclerosis Society MS Walk.

Over the past six years, she has raised over $14,000 for MS, which

currently affects some 400,000 people in the United States, and, this year, Lisa and Team Newly Diagnosed Fight will once again take to the pavement. The 2008 MS Walk is scheduled for this Sunday, May 4 at both Jones Beach and Belmont Lake State Parks.

"We will walk until the day no one is newly diagnosed," said Lisa, who is captain of Team Newly Diagnosed Fight. "We are eager to bring as much awareness to as many people as we can. With awareness will come more money for research and, with research, hopefully one day MS will stand for 'mystery solved.'"

For 2008, Lisa has set out to raise $3,000 and, thanks to some help from friends nearly 1,500 miles away, the 3.8 mile walk has garnered a whole lot of attention - and a great deal of money, exceeding Lisa's goal.

Lisa's childhood friend Kathy Sue Rizzo held a fundraiser at her Spring Hill, FL pizzeria/restaurant recently and, last weekend, Rizzo's Pizzeria teamed up with the club R Beach in Hernando Beach for a four-hour fundraising event and concert. Collectively, Rizzo's and R Beach raised $1,650 for Team Newly Diagnosed Fight. Add to that the money Lisa raised locally and more than $3,200 has been raised, with, at press time, donations continuing to pour in.

"While raising awareness and money is always part of the goal ... the fact that a friend of mine from childhood who lives 1,500 miles away would take on something that affected me so personally touched me beyond anything that words can describe," said Lisa.

And the fundraising efforts were not limited to just those of the monetary kind.

Inspired by Lisa's story, 23-year-old Monica Stoll, an inspiring R&B artist and waitress at Rizzo's, worked with Kathy to write a song about MS, using information Lisa provided for background. "Since Monica herself does not have MS I felt, as she did, that it was important that she learned as much as she could about this disease in order to write a song that would be representative of all of us who do have MS," said Lisa.

The result was the hip hop song Move Sumthin, which Monica performed live at the Florida benefit April 27. The song, which debuted May 1 on ABC News in Florida, can be heard on Monica's myspace page (www.myspace.com/prolificmolific).

"As an artist, music is medicine and there is no better medicine than turning on a song and knowing someone out there has those feelings too," Monica told the Hicksville Illustrated News. "Giving people hope is worth more than [anything]. It was definitely a great opportunity and a privilege on my behalf to even be asked to do something like this."

According to Lisa, "Monica's song is amazing. She wrote this song not just for me and my team, but for all of us who fight this disease. She has brought justice to all of us who are living and fighting each day with a disease that is so unpredictable."

Words, said Lisa, cannot express her gratitude to Kathy and Monica, as well as everyone in Florida and New York who support the cause. "Monica and Kathy went so far as to write a song and hold a benefit concert for me, my team, my chapter and the approximately 400,000 other people living with MS in the United States. The feelings I have are just overwhelming gratitude that I will never forget," she said, adding, "Kathy and Monica heard the message, joined the movement, joined the fight. I am speechless. They did all this out of love and friendship. It's great to know that there are still people in this world who are willing to still do things just because."

Over 115 teams have pledged to walk in the 2008 MS Walk, the signature fundraising event of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The Jones Beach State Park Walk will begin at 10 a.m. while the Belmont State Park Walk and doggy-friendly Pooch Parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. To make a donation to Team Newly Diagnosed Fight, contact Lisa at 822-4889 or email lbfightsms@optonline.net. Additional information is also available online at www.nationalmssociety.org.

In addition to the walk, Lisa is working on a July fundraiser, which will feature an afternoon of "health and healing" at the Plainview Y. Hosted by teacher and Reiki II practitioner and healer Laurie Ahlemann, owner of the North Bellmore-based Prana Shatki Yoga (www. PranaShaktiToga.com), the four-hour event will include beginner level yoga, guided meditation, a Reiki healing or massage therapy session as well as refreshments and raffles. The cost is $40 (a $200 value) and 100 percent of proceeds will be donated to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's Long Island Chapter. For more information, call Lisa at 822-4889 or lbfightsms@optonline.net or Ahlemann at 917-757-0922 or info@pranashaktiyoga.com.