This past weekend, a local swift current couple did their part to help the fight against Multiple Sclerosis by participating in the annual MS walk.

Annissa Foster and her fiance Eric Crosbie had a personal connection to the walk as Annissa was diagnosed with MS last year. Crosbie details how they found out about the walk.

"We just found out about it through the MS Society, we were put into contact with them right after the diagnosis and they have provided a lot of resources and supports for us. So we started fundraising a couple of months ago by just posting on social media."

Foster says she began having symptoms in February of last year that would go away and come back these eventually led to an MRI which led to a diagnosis in October. She says it's tough to say how her life has changed since the diagnosis, but right now things are good and she is on treatment and most of her symptoms are manageable. Although she adds that you never really know with MS as it is so uncertain.

The month of May is MS awareness month and the MS walk was held on World MS day which was May 30th. 

The couple raised over $7000 and Foster adds that she feels lucky that her diagnosis happened quickly as can people can struggle for years. In regards to the walk, Foster says they wanted to give back and they feel really grateful for all the support they received.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the MS Society encouraged people to do individual walks this year and Foster and her fiance did so at Southside Park here in Swift Current. 

Foster details the importance of this annual fundraiser.

"We are obviously very touched and overwhelmed at the support that we have gotten. The MS Society provides a lot of resources and support and then I think the walk also helps raise awareness just because MS is so difficult to diagnose. Everyone's symptoms are so different, and getting a diagnosis is kind of like a process of elimination. "

Canada and countries in the northern hemisphere have higher rates of MS. Within Canada, the prairie provinces have the highest rates of MS out of all the provinces. 

Crosbie adds that it is important to do the walk so that people understand MS and those suffering may have to advocate for themselves and talk to their doctor about pursuing diagnosis if they have any symptoms.