'Southside Stompers' Take Steps to Fight MS Sunday in Orland Park

Feeling helpless wasn't an option Claire Bauml considered when she learned about seven years ago that her then 21-year-old brother-in-law had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

Instead, she and her family decided to rally for a cure — specifically, through Walk MS, the largest annual fundraiser of the National MS Society's Greater Illinois Chapter. The event takes place on Sunday at 11 sites across Illinois, one of which is Orland's Centennial Park, 10401 W. 153 St.

“Our team really helps to show support of our family member who has MS,” she said. “When we walk together, we get to enjoy each other and celebrate the funds we have raised. We love looking at the other teams out there (to see) how they all show their support for Walk MS.”

Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable, often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system, disrupting the flow of information within the brain and body. The National MS Society's Greater Illinois Chapter mobilizes people and resources to drive research for a cure and address the challenges of the more than 2.3 million people in the world who are affected.

Bauml has participated in the walk every year since 2009. She's hoping that Sunday's turnout is the best yet for her team, the "Southside Stompers." Last year’s statewide Walk MS events raised more than $2.65 million to benefit the estimated 20,000 Illinois residents who are fighting the disease.

Bauml's team members are striving to reach a $5,000 fundraising goal. As for the walk, itself?

“(We) really make (it) an all day celebration,” she said, adding that “ ... We have a blast walking together, at all different paces."

For more information on Walk MS, or to donate online, visit walkMS.org. You may also contact Meghan Melone at meghan.melone@nmss.org or 312-423-1138.