Participants came out in large numbers
Amanda Matechuk was just 17 when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
Seventeen years later, the Regina woman is actively involved in the MS community and ensuring other young people diagnosed have access to emotional support through the Under 35 Peer Support group.
Matechuk has also taken on an active role in fundraising, participating Sunday in the 26th annual Blue Cross MS Walk with her team, Team Awesome. The 22-member team — consisting of members of the support group, along with family and friends — raised $20,200 this year, earning them this year’s top fundraising spot.
Matechuk said it was a shock when she was diagnosed — in part because she was still in high school at the time — but that she has since found a way to cope with it.
“When you’re faced with something like that, you can be miserable about it, or you can be happy and live the life that you’ve been given and do the things that you want to do,” she said. “Sometimes, I have to do things a little bit differently than other people. It might take me longer, but I can still get them done.”
Sierra Thompson, manager of development for southern Saskatchewan with the MS Society of Canada’s Saskatchewan division, said Sunday’s beautiful weather contributed to a good turnout for this year’s event. She said 55 teams registered with 525 walkers and 75 volunteers. She anticipated the weather would draw in a few lastminute walk-ins.
While fundraising continues for a couple weeks post-event, the amount raised as of Sunday was $170,000.
Thompson said a portion of the money raised stays in Saskatchewan, going toward programs and services (such as Telehealth sessions and aquafit and yoga programs), while the other portion funds national research.
“Right now, there’s very exciting things happening in research, from stem cells to genetics to Vitamin D,” Thompson said, adding the MS Society provides, on average, more than $12 million a year to research. “Events like this are really what help support that, in finding a cure.”
Thompson said Saskatchewan’s per capita numbers are among the country’s highest at more than 3,500.
“One in two people know someone who lives with MS,” she noted.
Dennis Patterson, vice-chairman of the board of directors for the province’s branch of the MS Society, was diagnosed 16 years ago.
Unlike many, Patterson — who was serving overseas at the time — was diagnosed quickly, enabling him to get onto medication early on. Since then, he’s worked to help others who are waiting on a diagnosis.
Patterson encourages people to take symptoms seriously and to ensure they are doing everything possible to seek a diagnosis.
“You really have to be your own advocate in any health care situation,” he said. “Speak out, tell your doctor about symptoms, let him decide if you have MS or not.”
Since his diagnosis, Patterson has seen some positive advances in research, with much more known about wellness and living with the disease — such as the importance of diet and exercise in managing it.
“MS is a lifestyle change ...,” he said. “If you change those certain little things, then down the road it just pays huge dividends.”
Patterson pointed out MS can be invisible to those on the outside, meaning some people might not realize their support is needed. Matechuk agreed that support and understanding is crucial, ensuring those living with MS stay emotionally and psychologically strong as they work to cope with the disease.
“As someone with MS, you don’t want to be treated differently, even though you are, and you have to accept that,” she said.
“But it doesn’t mean it has to hold you back in any way. You just maybe have to do things a little bit differently.”