Residents run, walk, dance to help raise money for MS research
By Miguel Morales miguel@theacorn.com

MIGUEL MORALES/Acorn Newspapers GET IT STARTED- Residents warm up together at Rancho Tapo Community before the start of Saturday's MS Walk.

"On your marks . . . get set . . . go!"

And with those words the streets around Simi's Rancho Tapo Community Park were overflowing with a parade of runners and walkers hoping to change the lives of those with multiple sclerosis, each step dedicated to easing the suffering of the hundreds of thousands with the disease.

More than 800 Ventura County residents got up early Saturday to participate in this year's MS 5K/10K Walk. Sixty teams helped collect more than $74,000 in donations. A team from Thrivent Financial raised the most, bringing in nearly $12,000 for the National MS Society.

Simi's MS Walk was one of many held that day throughout the state, according to Lisa McCollam, development manager for the Southern California chapter of the MS Society. More than 16,000 volunteers participated in 11 statewide events on Saturday, she said.

"As long as there is a need, there will be people coming out to support the cause," McCollam said.

After the walk ended, teams as well as individuals were recognized with awards like "Best Dressed Team" and "Team with the Most Spirit."

Dawn Horvatich, who took home the prize for "Most Inspirational Walker," said she's been participating in the walk since 2000. Horvatich completed the course in her wheelchair under her own strength, dedicating her efforts to the memory of her grandmother, an MS sufferer.

"I'm just out here to support the cause," Horvatich said. "I didn't expect to win, but I'm glad I did."

Children dancing in their strollers, families warming up their legs and a sea of smiling faces flooded Tapo Park around 9 a.m. before the start of the 10 a.m. race.

Mira Khany, from Contours Express in Simi Valley, pumped up the crowd before the walk, and as quickly as the park had been filled up, it was empty.

After the last walker crossed the finish line, participants were treated to a lunch prepared by the local Kiwanis Club. The Blair Weibrand Band performed and Simi Valley Mayor Paul Miller dropped by to present a plaque proclaiming April 14 "Make Your Mark on MS Day."

Supporters of the MS Walk give their time and energy for those who can't, said Linda Hiller, Wells Fargo team member and secondyear participant. The honor and pride in volunteering was enough of a prize for her, she said.

"As long as I'm able to walk I will be out here doing this," Hiller said.

MS affects 400,000 Americans and their families, and new cases are diagnosed every hour, according to the MS Society's website. Symptoms include memory loss, loss of coordination and maintaining balance, vision problems and numbness.

Last year, walks around the country raised $53 million for MS research.

For more information on how you can help, go to the website www.nationalmssociety.org.