For the last five years, the Berry sisters have participated in the Bangor/Brewer Multiple Sclerosis Walk and have contributed more than $10,000 over those years to the MS Society.
This year, the Berry sisters are bringing the walk to Island Falls on Saturday, April 18. The first-ever Berry Sisters Walk starts at the Island Falls Municipal Building, with registration opening at 8 a.m., with the walk beginning at 10 a.m. A suggested registration cost is $25 per person.
Team Berry, according to Sue Batchelder, “are friends and family members of Cora (Berry) Batchelder and Carla (Berry) Conrad, sisters both affected by the disease.”
Both Batchelder and Conrad are Island Falls residents.
“By moving the walk, we hope to bring more visibility to the prevalence of MS in Aroostook County,” said Sue Batchelder. “In addition to my mother and aunt, numerous others within this small area have been diagnosed and are fighting MS.
“MS impacts our family daily,” she added. “To see both my mother and aunt struggle with this disease is beyond heartbreaking and continuously haunts me.”
This year, approximately 75 people will be walking for the Team Berry.
“Already, what the people of Island Falls and the surrounding towns have done to help make this first walk successful is amazing,” said Sue Batchelder. “We had set our first year goal at five teams, 100 walkers and to raise $7,000. Currently we have more than 12 teams, closing in on 150 walkers, and time will tell the amount of donations raised.”
Participants will have the option of walking a one-mile or 3.2-mile route. Lunch will be available for all participants immediately following.
“We are expecting great things and look forward to building it bigger and better every year,” Sue Batchelder added.
For more information contact: Sue Batchelder at 949-6968 or email Susren1972 @aol.com or call Angela Smith at 356-9360.
