Hey gang,
This past June marked 10 years since Gary’s diagnosis of MS. As Gary and I reflected on this, we were met with mixed emotions…when Gary got his diagnosis, the doc told him there’d be a cure in 10 years. It’s been a bitter feeling in the pit of our stomachs as we’ve watched Gary’s symptoms increase and his quality of life decrease. While there have been significant advancements in the care of MS, and the first-ever medication for patients with Primary Progressive forms of MS…there is no cure…and while we hear about how much more is known about this disease, and new medications that may be able to regrow myelin and reverse symptoms – there’s still no cure. 10 years later, our “hope” took a jab in the jugular.
But we’re not giving up.
In a recent socially distant porch hangout with the Fried’s we talked about the Gang’s ambitions. We had talked about creating our own 501c3 and raising money that we could designate to specific needs across the MS community. We’ve talked about doing our own events, outside of the Society, and just funneling money to them. We’ve talked about the challenges of fundraising as many of us have competing priorities in life.
I’m waiting to confirm with the Society, but I’m pretty confident that in our first 10 years of the walk (and really 9)…we’ve raised about $125,000. That’s incredible. THANK YOU. In our first year, I think we raised about 13k with 4 of us feeling incredibly motivated by Gary’s recent diagnosis. In our 4th year, we had 17 team members and raised over $35,000. We’ve downsized to the Walk MS event with no minimum fundraising requirement but have still been the top-earning team in Columbia the two years we’ve done it. I know…we’re THAT GOOD. I’m OK with that.
And there’s still so much to do.
I’m proposing that Gary’s Gang aim to raise another $125,000 in the next 5 YEARS. 25k per year. I’m also proposing that we construct our own events and make them unique each year (some ideas include a 3-day walk from Baltimore to DC, maybe a hike on the Appalachian Trail, etc). One of the things I loved about the Challenge Walk in previous years was the fatigue and pain I felt that helped me appreciate the struggle that Gary, and so many others, experience after just 100 steps, each day. I want us to press on – raise funds for research, exhaust ourselves in the purpose and aim high to create a world free of MS.
And I’m going to start now. I’m reaching out to the Society to see about creating our own fundraiser – and doing an annual event in April/May that will be the commencement of our fundraising efforts for that year (Gary’s anniversary of diagnosis is his birthday in June).
I’d love all of you to join me but want to reiterate that this is a 5-year effort. My hope is that each year, a handful of 4-5 of us will commit to raising 4-5k so others who join us that year can help raise funds, as well, but won’t necessarily feel the pressure of fundraising. I will do everything I can to support you and will commit to 5k annually from the Smith family.
So here we go. Year 1….(or year 11)…we need 25k by May. We’ll be walking from Baltimore to DC (because that’s the only thing I’ve got in my pocket). We’ll need walkers, fundraisers, support teams, places to stay, etc.
I hope you’ll join us. It’s important. It will change lives – for those living with MS…and for the rest of us. It’s going to be amazing.
Thanks for your thoughtful consideration of pushing yourself hard – emotionally and physically – in support of so many people…and in your love of Gary.
Who’s with me?
Much love
Sadie & Gary
Gary's Gang 