MUNCIE, Ind.- Rain or shine, the East Central Indiana Multiple Sclerosis Walk will be held at 9 a.m. April 12 on the Ball State University campus. The walk begins at Worthen Arena and follows a campus route. If it rains, the walk will take place inside on the arena concourse, complete with music and video monitors.

Individuals who want to walk may register at 8 a.m. on the day of the event or online at www.msindiana.org. The next step is to ask for sponsorship dollars from family, friends and co-workers. Contributions can be turned in as late as May 12.

"My husband had MS for 33 years," said Pat Stonebraker, co-leader of the Muncie MS Self-help Group. "We benefited from attending the local meetings which had excellent speakers and gave us updates on research progress. I think it helped to have comradery with other people who are in a similar situation."

The MS Society is dedicated to ending the devastating effects of this chronic and unpredictable disease. Most people with MS are diagnosed in the prime of life-between the ages of 20 and 50. Those who suffer from MS may experience blurred vision, loss of balance, poor coordination, slurred speech, tremors, numbness, extreme fatigue, problems with memory and concentration, paralysis, and blindness. These problems may be permanent, or they may come and go. New treatments and advances in research offer hope to the estimated 400,000 Americans who are affected by the disease.

(Note to Editors: For more information about this story contact Melissa Hurst at the Indianapolis MS Chapter at 1-800-762-1209.)