The Challenge Blog is an online forum in support of the MS Challenge Walk of the Greater New England Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. For three days and fifty miles, we will come together to walk across Cape Cod, raising funds for and awareness of multiple sclerosis. Whether you are a veteran volunteer or a first-timer, a walker or crew member, and whether you're walking for a relative, a friend, or yourself, we are here to support you!

This blog will give you a look at the training, fundraising, and inspiration that are a part of the experience. The Challenge Walk is more than an event — it's a community that we want you to be a part of. We hope to give you ideas, answer your questions, and invite you to share your thoughts and stories. You can use the blog categories (listed to the right) to read posts on specific topics, or you can sign up for free email updates, so you won't have to remember to come back to read our latest posts.

MS Challenge Walk itself is organized by National MS Society employees and a volunteer steering committee. The Challenge Blog is an unofficial site that is not sponsored or moderated by the NMSS — but you'll still see a lot of familiar names and faces. Here's the lineup of authors you'll find on the Challenge Blog:

Aileen Curran	Aileen is the Director of Development for the Greater New England Chapter of the National MS Society responsible for the 2013 Challenge Walk. She has interned with the National MS Society at the Greater Delaware Valley Chapter with Program Events and is looking forward to working closely with the Steering Committee and Challenge Walk Teams to make this year's MS Challenge Walk a memorable one!
Brooke Charron	Brooke is a member of the Blister Buddies and walks with her mom, Patty Thorpe. Brooke lives in southern New Hampshire with her husband and three daughters and is looking forward to her sixth Challenge Walk in 2010.
Susan Cohn-Child	Susan lives in the greater Boston area and has been involved with the National MS Society since she was diagnosed with MS in 1995. She has participated in the MS Challenge walk for the past seven years and currently serves on the event's steering committee.
Drew Davis	Drew is the Logistics Manager for the Greater New England Chapter of the National MS Society. His role behind the scenes helps MS Challenge Walk Cape Cod run smoothly.
Jodi Dwyer	Jodi was diagnosed with MS in 2008 and quickly got involved with the Greater New England MS Chapter. She has participated in the Boston MS Walk since 2009, with her team, The Bean Team. She has also participated in the Challenge Walk since 2010. She lives in Boston and works as a medical social worker at a local hospital.
Lori Espino	Lori is the Executive Vice President of Resource Development for the Greater New England Chapter of the National MS Society. She has been with the Society for over 10 years. MS Challenge Walk holds a special place in her heart, and every year, it inspires her to continue her work on behalf of the 19,000 people with MS and their families the chapter supports.
Ken Gagne	Ken joined the MS Challenge Walk in 2005, more than a decade after his mother was diagnosed. After walking for three years and 150 miles, he switched to the support crew and now rides his bicycle along the trail, providing whatever encouragement (and snacks!) he can to the 600 walkers. He is also an alumnus of the event's steering committee and is this site's webmaster.
Danielle Kempe	Danielle was a Development Manager for the Greater New England Chapter of the National MS Society, managing MS Challenge Walk 2011 and 2012. Prior to joining the staff of the National MS Society, Danielle served as a crew team captain during the 2009 and 2010 MS Challenge Walks.
Todd Krohne	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 .
Jill Lagace	Jill lives in East Taunton with her husband and a very annoying cat. She was diagnosed with MS in 1998 when she was 24. She has been participating in the Challenge Walk since the beginning as a crew member and can also be found at many other fundraising events.
Kevin Lombardi	Kevin lives on the North Shore with his family. He first walked in 2005 to honor his brother's battle with MS. In 2006, he created the Lombardi Party Challenge Walk Team. Today, he is the co-captain of the team and walks in memory of his mother, Carmella, who was also afflicted by the disease. This year will be his sixth MS Challenge Walk.
Danielle Paonessa	Danielle Paonessa is a development coordinator with the National MS Society. She works on four MS Walks around the Boston area and helps with the Challenge Walk. Danielle has a degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and became interested in working in the non-profit industry after interning with Make-A-Wish her senior year of college.
Brian Rossi	Brian, a resident of Central Massachusetts, has participated for several years in the MS Challenge Walk as a member of the bike support crew.  Not only does his wife Carolyn have MS, but his grandmother had MS and eventually died from complications related to it. Brian is best known to as the provider of tropical flavored Starbursts and Jolly Rancher candies along the trail.
Wendy Smith	Wendy, the captain of Team WWW (Walk With Wendy), was diagnosed with MS in 2006.  Although she cut down on her work hours during the past year, she still loves her job as a teacher.  Wendy lives in Attleboro, MA, with her supportive husband and 9-year-old son, who provides inspiration for her daily!
Patty Thorpe	Diagnosed with MS in 1994, Patty responded the way many do: she refused to discuss it. It took her ten years to realize that silence isn't the answer. She, her friends and family formed the Blister Buddies for their first Challenge Walk in 2004. Patty is now on the Challenge Walk Steering Committee and chairs the PR Subcommittee. In November 2008, she became a member of the Greater NE Chapter's Board of Trustees.
Jacqueline Whittaker	Jacqui is a registered nurse working in home dialysis, living in Denver, Colorado. Born and rasied in Gray, Maine, Jacqui was diagnosed with MS in 2003 and has been participating in the MS Challenge Walk since 2007. This year is the first time she's had her own team, Whittaker's Warriors.

Our banner is courtesy Andrew Child Photography.

The views and opinions expressed on the MS Challenge Blog are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the National MS Society. Neither the MS Challenge Blog, its authors, nor the NMSS make any guarantees, expressed or implied, regarding the content or accuracy of this blog. All rights reserved. Void where prohibited. Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball.