GALLIPOLIS — Walkers will take to the Gallia County hike and bike trail on Saturday, April 17 in an effort to raise awareness of Multiple Sclerosis, commonly referred to as MS.

The third annual Gallia County Walk MS will start at 10 a.m. at Haskins Park. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. There are one and three mile options.

Over the past two years, participants have raised $66,916. In 2009, 255 people joined the walk and 15 teams were present.

In a letter to friends, Amber Barnes, who was diagnosed with MS five years ago, said the best part of the walk is seeing the support.

“While the purpose of the walk is to raise money for the National MS Society, I think the physical support shown that day by those walking is immeasurable to those of us fighting this disease,” wrote Barnes.

Kim Deaton, president of the Ohio Valley Chapter of the National MS Society, will be joining the Gallipolis event. Visit www.FightMSToday.org for more information.

Walk MS was established in 1989 as a national fundraising and awareness building event and attracted 42,000 participants and raised $4 million. In 2008, it grew to over $67 million.