Tanya Benoit was surprised to hear she was one of two recipients of this year’s MS Impact Award in Manitoba.
The Flin Flon mother of two, who was diagnosed with MS in 2008, raised $4,097 for the Walk to End MS this past May.
Benoit set a personal goal of $5,000 and did technically reach it as she contributed funds here and there to teammates to make sure everyone got a T-shirt for participating.
Tanya’s Minions ranked in the top 10 teams in Manitoba for fundraising with $6,963.
Benoit herself was ranked in the top four in the regional individual category.
“I was very surprised,” said Benoit when she was presented with the MS Impact Award at Flin Flon’s MS support group meeting earlier this week.
In the years since her diagnosis, Benoit has been very open about her life with MS, determined not to let the condition define her.
As of late 2013, more than 34 Flin Flon area residents were knowingly living with MS, a lifelong, potentially disabling condition.
What is MS?
Multiple Sclerosis, better known as MS, is a disease of the central nervous system, made up of the brain and spinal cord, where it attacks myelin, the protective coating surrounding the nerves.
In severe cases, patients become paralyzed and/or blind, where in mild cases symptoms often are related to numbness in the limbs.
Those living with MS experience inflammation, extreme fatigue, lack of coordination, weakness, tingling, impaired sensation, vision problems, bladder problems, brain fog, and mood changes.
MS does not discriminate. Anyone can be diagnosed with MS. Most cases are diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 40, but children as young as three years of age have been diagnosed as well as adults much more senior than 40.
MS is, however, four times more likely to occur in women and those of northern European backgrounds.
Source: MS Society of Canada
