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Steppin' out to find a cure for Multiple Sclerosis
Fort Scott woman, 81, organizes, walks in event to help others.
By Steve Moyer
Nevada Daily Mail
Irene Herrero is trying to organize a little walk, 9 miles long, in Fort Scott, to raise funds for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The 81-year-old Herrero said that when she became involved with the annual event in 1990 she did it because it's a fun way to get some exercise and help others at the same time.
"I just always loved to walk and I thought 'Why not?'" Herrero said.
Herrero still walks the route each year and says she usually goes the whole distance. "I usually make it the whole way," Herrero said. "Last year I only went six miles before I had to have my daughter pick me up, but this year I want to make it all the way."
Herrero encouraged anyone who might be hesitant to come out and walk with the other supporters. "Come on out and see how far you can walk before giving up," she said. "You will be surprised how far you can walk when you have a group walking with you."
"The proceeds of Fort Scott's annual MS Walk go to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society," Herrero said. "It funds research into the causes and the most promising treatments for this debilitating auto-immune disease."
The event, scheduled for Saturday, April 9, will start with registration at 8 a.m. at Shelter House No. 5 at Gunn Park. "Registration will begin at 8 a.m. and the walking will start at 9 a.m.," Herrero said.
Several teams have been formed but Herrero says she would love to see more, especially people from Pittsburg and Nevada.
"I'm in charge of all three cities," Herrero said. "I'd love to be able to do an event in all three but I just can't manage it, so people from Nevada and Pittsburg just have to come here to help out. Anyone who is interested is invited to put on their walking boots, shoes, sneakers or whatever they find comfortable and come help out."
The route winds around Fort Scott starting at Gunn Park with a rest stop at Skubitz Plaza and another stop at the Brethren Church, 1421 S. Margrave Street, before returning to the starting point.
Restrooms will be available at the two rest stops.
"There will be cars driving around the route to pick up any walker who feels too tired to finish the 9 miles," Herrero said. "The people who get picked up will be taken to Gunn Park where they can rest until the others arrive."
Herrero estimates that the walkers will finish around noon and she has arranged with Pizza Hut to have pizza and with the local soft drink distributors to have sodas for the walkers available at the finish.
Herrero is looking for more teams and individual walkers to help make the event a success.
"Any business that would like to sponsor a team could, if they wanted to, get in touch with me and I would get in touch with the team captains." Herrero said. "Companies can form and sponsor their own team if they choose and Individuals who would like to participate as walkers or sponsors could do so by calling me as well."
Anyone wishing to participate can contact Herrero at (620) 223-0353.
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