How We Spent Our MS “Vacations"

It’s hard to believe Sally and I will be walking in our fifth Challenge Walk MS this September. When the first Challenge Walk was announced back in 2008, I immediately registered. (I’ve kept the #1 Day Bag tag neatly tucked in my Challenge Walk scrapbook as a keepsake.) I had absolutely no idea how I was going to raise the $1,500 minimum required AND how I was going to convince my partner, Sally, to do this with me – especially since she was only a year post-op from having total hip replacement surgery.

Over the past four years, we’ve come to realize that the “walking” part was easy – except when training in the summer heat and humidity made my MS symptoms rage. The “challenge” for us was the fund-raising. I feel we’ve learned so much about having an open mind when it comes to raising cash for the cause. We’ve had some creative ideas that really saved our butts and some that have really bombed! The most amazing aspect on this journey has been that the money always came in – often times from totally unexpected places. We believe making our biggest connection by turning it over to God has so much to do with our success.

Some of the things we’ve done to fund-raise:

• I held a “20th Anniversary of my 29th Birthday” Bash to End MS (for those of you who are mathematically challenged – it was my 49th birthday party): a lot of work but SO MUCH FUN!
• We started collecting aluminum cans – which really helped us meet our goal when the economy tanked. Team:CanMS was born and we now collect cans year round. Stinky and gross sometimes, but worth it!
• I’m a Mary Kay Consultant and throughout the year, I donate 10% of my profits to Challenge Walk MS and I hold one or two special sales each year and donate 100% of the proceeds to Challenge Walk.
• We started making homemade campfire starters in our kitchen with minimal cost to us. Our friend Katrina is really talented at getting old candles donated for us to melt down. One-hundred percent of the proceeds go toward our goal each year as well.
• As a side note, I sold some gold and silver jewelry to put towards my goal. Various necklaces sat neck-less for many years since my diagnosis. My MS affects my hand function so much that I can’t get the dang stuff on or off! So why keep it around to taunt me from its stand on the dresser?

I guess what I’m trying to say is there are MANY ways to fund-raise. The Wisconsin Chapter has many connections for ideas and networking opportunities to share. The MS Society is there to motivate and help you reach your goal.

For the past four years, Sally and I have sat at the Finish Line Lunch – sore, exhausted and emotionally spent. We vow that WE’RE DONE, WE’RE RETIRING – THIS IS OUR LAST CHALLENGE WALK – yet here we are, back again! This weekend in September has become our passion, an MS family reunion we look forward to each year. This Door County weekend is the culmination of a 12-month journey of hope and perseverance. MS is NO picnic, yet for one remarkable weekend each September, it is OUR MS vacation spent with friends on the journey together. Our Challenge Walk MS family is committed to walk many miles and raise many dollars for a cure, which forms connections NO disease can possibly sever.