Lester hopes to reach milestone in MS fundraising

Dave Horton, organizer of the Simcoe-Norfolk MS Walk, is cheering on Nancy Lester, right, who hopes to reach the $250,000 mark in MS Walk fundraising this year. The Simcoe-Norfolk MS Walk will be held in Simcoe on Sunday, May 31. (Chris Abbott Photo)

Chris Abbott, Grant Haven Media

Tillsonburg’s Nancy Lester has participated in MS Walks for the last 27 years. This year her goal is to raise $10,000 in MS Walk donations by May 31st, which would surpass the $250,000 fundraising mark.

“I’m going to get on the phone and get around the next couple of weeks and work on it pretty hard,” said Nancy, who will be walking 2 km with husband Larry Lester in the 26th Simcoe-Norfolk Walk this year.

Nancy acknowledges that her fundraising success is a result of the generosity of the Tillsonburg community and local businesses that have supported her over the years.

KELSEY’S FUNDRAISER

To celebrate her achievement, as well as to say thanks, Kelsey’s Roadhouse in Tillsonburg will be hosting an event Thursday, May 27 from 4-10 p.m. On the 27th, Kelsey’s will be contributing 20 per cent of all sales toward the MS cause. There will be live music by Fred Hodgson along with draws and prizes. Everyone is invited to join the fun.

“I think the event at Kelsey’s will be good for me,” said Nancy, who plans to be there the full six hours. “A lot of people who usually donate to me, have not yet. So I’m pretty confident I’ll be able to make it.”

Nancy has been joining Simcoe’s MS Walk the last three-four years.

“I just think it’s nice to meet people on a common ground. Either they are fighting MS or somebody they love. So you meet a lot of people and I enjoy that. That’s what I like about it the most.”

Nancy, who will soon be 75, was first diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the age of 47.

“I was in really bad shape at that time. Then, of course, they’ve got a lot of medication you can take – they’ve been making strides. It certainly helped me. My reasoning (to join her first MS Walk in London) was to fight back… and hope that there are medications, and eventually a cure. Canada has one of the highest rates of MS in the world.”

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, resulting in physical and cognitive symptoms. Nancy has relapse-remitting MS.

“It can be up and down. You can have a bad spell and sometimes you get over it, or it progresses.”

If she reaches the $250,000 mark this year - and she is truly hopeful – Nancy says she will ‘retire’ from her annual fundraising. It should be noted, however, donations can still be accepted up to one month after the walk.

“To be clear, I’m not stopping in MS Walks, I’m just not going to reach out to a lot of people (for donations),” she laughed. “I’m 75, so I think I’ll calm down a bit.”