On March 7^th, 2012 I will embark on one of the biggest challenges of my life: hiking the 2,184 miles of the Appalachian Trail to raise $7,500 for the National MS Society, in support of their fight to rid the world of multiple sclerosis. I would ask that you please take a moment to prayerfully consider joining me by lending your support to my efforts and to this vital cause.

Multiple sclerosis affects so many people in the prime of their lives. Every hour of every day, someone in the U.S. is newly diagnosed. Whether you realize it or not, you almost certainly know someone who is quietly and courageously living with the challenges of this cruel disease. The symptoms are different for everyone - the only certainty is that MS will affect yet another person every hour of every day. This astonishing rate is not going to slow down, let alone stop, until we've found a cure. Research has made some incredible advances recently, but the world can still only offer disease management drugs and therapies to the millions of people living with MS.

Currently there is no cure, but we can do something about that. Every dollar I raise will go directly to the National MS Society to further support their work in funding research, treatment, wellness and support for people living with multiple sclerosis. The National MS Society funds more multiple sclerosis research than any other private organization, and is dedicated to finding the cause, treatment, and ultimately the cure of MS. Additionally, the Society provides much needed education, programs, support and services to everyone who is affected by MS - those diagnosed, their families and caregivers, and the healthcare professionals who work with them.

Please, won’t you join me in offering what you can to this cause, sharing in providing the support and services that help those like Cathy, and the countless many others in our own neighborhoods and workplaces, our schools and churches, who are living with MS, and help us in the fight to rid the world of multiple sclerosis?