MS Walk in Saanich draws 3.5km hope

Multiple sclerosis, also commonly known as MS, is a disease that attacks the protective covering of nerve fibres, disrupting communication between the brain and body. Symptoms can include numbness, weakness, vision problems and difficulty walking. Canada is often called the “MS capital of the world” because it has one of the highest rates of the disease globally, with approximately 90,000 Canadians currently living with the condition. On the morning of May 31, folks across 50 communities around the country laced up their shoes, boarded their

mobility scooters or grabbed their walking aids for this year’s MS Walk. Over a hundred of them headed to Saanich’s Cadboro Bay as the Victoria chapter prepared for a walk of up to 3.5 kilometres at 10:00 a.m. Shortly before the walk’s launch, walk ambassador Gabrielle Veto told Saanich News that the goal of the event mainly centres around raising awareness and amassing funds. “It’s a chance for the MS community to come together, to fundraise, to meet people, to be seen, and for people

with MS to know that they’re not alone.” Gabrielle Veto is the walk ambassador for Victoria’s MS Walk on May 31, 2026. (Olivier Laurin/Saanich News) The fundraising component being vital, Veto explained that all the money raised in this year’s walk would go to MS Canada to support services for people with MS and their loved ones, as well as research aimed at developing drugs and, hopefully, a cure. “We say in Canada 1 in 3 people knows someone affected by MS or are affected

by MS themselves,” she said. “That’s an enormous number, so it’s really important that research continues in this disease. Huge strides have been made in the last 20 years, but we need to keep that momentum going.” For Veto, May 31 represents a day loaded with symbolism, as she was diagnosed with MS herself three decades ago. “In my case, MS started with pain,” she said. “I’ve lost the use of every limb… but in my case, it’s all virtually come back because I have

what’s called remitting relapsing MS. But there’s other kinds of MS that don’t go into a period of remission and to know what kind of MS you’re going to have is extremely difficult to predict.” Veto stressed that every dollar counts, noting that a new breakthrough drug could be around the corner and improve countless lives. “When I was diagnosed 30 years ago, there were 4 options for drugs you could go on,” she said. “Now there’s more than 20 in Canada so it’s a

huge way of treating the disease.” With a cumulative goal of $4 million this year, MS Canada has raised over $3.7 million. With a little less than $300,000 left to go, Veto encouraged everyone with the means to pledge what they can. Yet beyond money, Veto emphasized that the event serves as an opportunity for the MS community to connect, belong and break the isolation of the disease. “MS affects every part of your life, your ability to work, your ability to interact with friends

or family so people can feel very alone,” she said. “Part of the mission of MS Canada is to help the MS community come together so that people know that they’re not alone.” To learn more about MS Canada, multiple sclerosis or to donate, visit msspwalk.donordrive.com/mswalk.

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