April is here! It’s hard to believe we’re already a quarter of the way through the year. This month holds a very exciting event for Northwest Health Services. On Saturday, April 14, a team from Northwest Health Services will be walking in the annual MS Society Walk.

The Multiple Sclerosis Society is an incredible organization whose goal is to move research forward by relentlessly pursuing prevention, treatment and cure. Some of you may not know what multiple sclerosis is. Read below to find out more information.

What is multiple sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, unpredictable disease of the central nervous system (the brain, optic nerves, and spinal cord). It is thought to be an autoimmune disorder. This means the immune system incorrectly attacks the person’s healthy tissue.

MS can cause blurred vision, loss of balance, poor coordination, slurred speech, tremors, numbness, extreme fatigue, problems with memory and concentration, paralysis, and blindness and more. These problems may be permanent or may come and go.

Most people are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, although individuals as young as 2 and as old as 75 have developed it. MS is not considered a fatal disease as the vast majority of people with it live a normal life-span. But they may struggle to live as productively as they desire, often facing increasing limitations.

Team Susie Q

MS hits close to home for one of our own employees who lives with it on a daily basis. That is why we have formed a Team Susie Q. We are raising funds and forming a team to walk in the St. Joseph walk on April 14. If you would like to donate to our cause or find out more information about the walk, please visit this link: http://walkksg.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Walk/KSGWalkEvents?pg=pfind&fr_id=18439 and donate to Team Susie Q.

Together, let’s fight this disease!