You’re young, you’re active and you have your whole life ahead of you; not a day goes by that you don’t dream about your future, your plans and your goals.

You know that there’s not much in this world you can’t accomplish–you feel healthy and strong.

Then suddenly it all changes. You start to feel that something may be wrong with you.

You begin to lose weight, your vision gets blurry and you seem to lack coordination at times.

You visit your doctor because of the unbearable headaches. Your doctor gives you the horrible news.

You have a disease that affects your central nervous system and brings on various symptoms that can be as severe as paralysis. You have multiple sclerosis.

Every week about 200 people in America are diagnosed with the disease. That’s one person per hour being diagnosed with MS.

In Colorado alone, one in every 800 people has MS and 73 percent of these people are women.

While this disease is very serious, all hope is not lost. Each year, beginning in 1988, thousands of people participate in the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s “MS Walk.”

The walk is an event that raises money for research that could potentially help Americans living with the devastating effects of MS.

This year the Colorado chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society is anticipating raising $1.25 million through the 12 walks held throughout the state.

Hundreds of volunteers will be coordinating the walks and thousands of concerned community members will walk for the cause.

The Denver Walk is Saturday May 11, starting at City Park and ending at East High School. Check-in begins at 8 a.m. and opening ceremonies begin at 9:15 a.m.

The onset of multiple sclerosis is as unpredictable as the symptoms the disease can produce.

If you or someone you know would like to be a part of the fight against MS and volunteer for the Walk, call 1-800-FIGHT-MS or visit online at www.fightmscolorado.org.