NORWALK - More than 20 employees and family members from Southland Care Center in Norwalk participated in the Multiple Sclerosis Walk-A-Thon on April 15.The 5K walk took place at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, with more than 5,000 people working to raise money for the National MS Society. Team Southland had been working the past two months raising funds and recruiting people to walk. In the end, they raised more than $1,200. "This was my first time walking," said staff developer Aileen Fernandez. "I had a lot of fun and it was for a great cause. I can't wait to do it again next year." While certain team members joined for personal reasons, others walked for the several residents at the facility who suffer from MS. Multiple sclerosis is a disease that affects the brain's ability to communicate with the spinal cord, disturbing a person's vision and mobility. Team Southland is already planning their next challenge: the Walk to End Alzheimer's this fall. Not only is it double the distance (a 6-mile walk as opposed to the three miles for MS), the team hopes to double its donation as well.

********** Published: April 26, 2012 - Volume 11 - Issue 02