Local Edmonton woman, Roxanne Gural has raised more than $10,000 for the MS Society of Canada as she prepares to climb the world’s highest freestanding mountain. On October 8th, she will depart for the 7-day climb to the highest peak in Africa, Mt. Kilimanjaro, along with 25 team members. The challenge will be both physical and mental but represents an incredible once in a lifetime experience.
Established in 2008, MS Climb raised $150,000 in its inaugural year for the MS Society of Canada. The first climb was along the Inca Trail to the ancient city of Machu Picchu in Peru. This is Year Two of a five-year plan to raise $1-million dollars for the MS Society of Canada. To date, more than $400,000 has been raised for the charity so that it can continue its research programs as well as support families living with MS. Year Three will see the team at Mount Everest Base Camp in Nepal in 2010, the Great Wall of China in 2011 and the Chilkoot Trail in the Yukon for the final expedition in 2012.
MS is the most common neurological disease affecting young adults in Canada. Canadians have one of the highest rates of MS in the world, with three more people diagnosed with MS every day. Women appear to be three times more likely to develop MS than men. MS is unpredictable and affects individuals differently but typically affect vision, hearing, memory, balance and mobility. There is no cure for MS but with the help of people like Roxanne and her team members who not only fundraise but also bring awareness to the community the answer is just over the horizon.
For more information on the MS Climb go to www.msclimb.ca and for specific information on Roxanne’s progress go to: www.RoxyClimbingKili.yolasite.com
Donations to Roxanne’s fundraising campaign for the MS Society continue to be collected until the end of October.
Roxanne Gural can be contacted at 780-983-3974 or roxannegural@
