Dear MS Challenge Walkers and Crew,

Joyce Nelson, President & CEO of the National MS Society, will be participating in several MS Challenge Walks across the country. After walking her first Challenge Walk recently she described the experience in these words on her blog:

"I learned from this weekend that there is great value in providing meaningful opportunities for people living with MS to come together and share their experiences. I learned that common suffering builds very strong bonds — be it the minor suffering of heat rash and shin splints or the major suffering of your own, or a loved one's, diagnosis with MS. I learned again how important it is to challenge ourselves to do more than we thought we possibly could. And I was reminded again that while there is great hope for many of those who are or have been more recently diagnosed with MS, the monstrously sinister side of MS still lurks, stealing precious energy, memories, talent and movement from young adults just when they're starting to live."

Although Joyce will not be present in Cape Cod for this Chapter's event, her sentiments transcend geographic locations.  Every step that is taken across the country brings us closer to a world free of MS.  Thank you for accepting the Challenge.

Participation Confirmation and Housing Form

The Participation Confirmation and Housing Form is now online.  All walkers and crew participating in the MS Challenge Walk must complete this form, regardless of where you are staying during the event weekend by August 1st. Please click here to complete this important form.  Thank you in advance for your attention and prompt response.

http://challengemam.nationalmssociety.org/site/PageServer?pagename=CW_MAM_Housing_form

NEW! Early Bird Fundraising Contest!

To be entered into this drawing, raise the full $1,500 minimum on or before July 15th.  For those who reach this goal, your name will be put into a drawing to win two tickets to see the Beach Boys at the South Shore Music Circus on Friday, July 24th!  To ensure that you are entered into this contest, please send any check donations you have by Monday, July 6th to assure that all checks are processed correctly and show in our records when we conduct this drawing.

Thank you to all participants who are working so hard to raise money for the National MS Society's MS Challenge Walk.

Every Crew is a Super Crew

We are encouraging all crew members at the Challenge Walk to become a member of the Super Crew.  A member of the Super Crew is someone who raises at least $200 for the MS Challenge Walk.  Last year, crew members raised over $50,000 for the MS Challenge Walk. Members of the Super Crew will receive a Super Crew cap and 2009 pin to commemorate their success.  As of right now, we only have a handful of Super Crew and would like to add more, so please send in your donations!

Challenge Has Talent

Time to dust off your tap shoes and find your baton.  New in 2009 – "Challenge Has Talent."  Join us on Friday afternoon, September 11th under the big tent for a Challenge Walk Talent Show. Walkers and Crew members are invited to show off their talents (karaoke will be available).  If you and/or your team has a talent they would like to show off, please contact the MS Challenge Walk Team at MSChallenge@mam.nmss.org with any music you may need and we will put you on the schedule!

Team Contest!

The MS Challenge Walk Team that recruits the most NEW WALKERS to their team will receive special benefits the weekend of the walk. Benefits will include recognition at the Challenge Walk start and reserved tables at the evening programs.  The competition is heating up!

Here are the standings as of today:

• EMD Serono Striders: 9 new walkers
• Bonnie's Believers: 7 new walkers
• WWW (Walk With Wendy): 7 new walkers
• The Lombardi Party: 4 new walkers
• The Miss Fits: 4 new walkers
• Team Babci: 4 new walkers

Training Walks

For each Challenge Training Walk you attend, your fundraising account will be credited 50 "bonus bucks"!

June 27: Hampton Beach, NH

July 25: Artesani Park Charles River Walk, Brighton, MA

August 22: Minuteman Bike Trail, Lexington, MA.  Start and finish at the Greater Boston Running Company.  Get a 20% discount on all purchases made that day and 10% off all purchases made during the summer!

If you are interested in walking in any of these training walks, please contact the MS Challenge Walk Team to sign up by emailing mschallenge@mam.nmss.org

If you are a Crew member and would like to help out at one of these MS Challenge training walks, please contact the MS Challenge Walk Team. mschallenge@mam.nmss.org

Social Networking

Social networking sites offer ways to connect online with your friends and family, share your hobbies, and meet new people with similar interests. They enable you not only to keep in touch with the friends you've made at past walks, but also to find training buddies in your geographic area. Whether you are an experienced walker looking to share your stories, a first-time walker needing some support, or someone who is considering signing up, you will find a welcoming community in these social networking sites. Check out this new page on the MS Challenge Walk website!

http://challengemam.nationalmssociety.org/site/PageServer?pagename=CW_MAM_socnet

We appreciate all your hard work fundraising for this event.  The funds you raise helps support scientific research aimed at developing new treatments, stopping the progression, reversing neurological damage, and finding a cure for MS.  Your efforts also help educate, support, and advocate on behalf of those with MS. Please let us know if you need any help reaching your goals. The MS Challenge Walk Team would be more than happy to speak with you to determine the fundraising method that would be most effective for you.

National MS Society
Central New England Chapter
101A First Avenue, Suite 6
Waltham, MA 02451

Kara is the former Development Coordinator for the Greater New England Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.