Dear MS Challenge Walk Participants:

In recognition of the Rosh Hashanah holiday, which coincides with the anticipated dates of the 2010 MS Challenge Walk, the Central New England Chapter is adjusting the route to two days and 50 kilometers, Saturday and Sunday, September 11 and 12.

Rosh Hashanah, the first of the Jewish High Holidays, begins at sundown Wednesday, Sept. 8, and ends at sundown, Friday, Sept. 10.

Adjusting to two days and 50K allows the Challenge to take place at the same time that it has traditionally occurred, the first weekend following Labor Day.

The fundraising minimum for the Challenge remains $1,500, and participants will continue to receive the support they need to reach their fundraising goal.

Details about the route, timetable, and start/finish will be published in the near future. The basic plan is to retain the essential elements of the MS Challenge Walk, including a beautiful walk on Cape Cod and the Rail Trail, accommodations and fun at the Cape Cod Sea Camps, meaningful evening programs, and a spectacular finish line celebration. We also expect to welcome walkers and crew to the Sea Camps on the evening of Friday the 10th.

We hope you will join us again for the 2010 MS Challenge Walk, September 11 and 12. If you are already registered for the Challenge, you do not need to take any additional action. If you need to change the status of your registration, please don't hesitate to contact the MS Challenge Walk Team.

If you are not yet registered for the 2010 MS Challenge Walk, please go to www.MSnewengland.org, or call 1-800-344-4867, select option 2, and dial ext. 119. The $25 registration fee is active until December 31, 2009. Use the discount coupon code, CWPREREG, when registering online.

This change in distance and days is only for the 2010 season. We look forward to returning to the original three-day format in 2011.

Thank you for your understanding of this important change. See you on the Cape in 2010 for a spectacular MS Challenge Walk!

Todd, formerly the Director of Development for the Greater New England Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, is now the the Regional Director of FAS Capital Giving at Harvard University. In addition to reading his blog posts, you can also find Todd on Twitter.