Lydia Fields was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at age 15, but at 22 that condition hasn’t slowed her down.
Meantime, the Berry graduate has taken an active role in raising funds and awareness for people living with MS.
On Saturday, she participated in the annual Multiple Sclerosis walk at Berry College and was joined by about 300 walkers from Rome and throughout Georgia.
MS is an autoimmune disease that affects more than 400,000 Americans, according to the National MS Society Web site. The cause of MS remains unknown, and those diagnosed with MS usually are diagnosed between the ages of 20 to 40.
“This is my fifth year doing the MS walk at Berry. My team, the Gardner Girls, had 20 people the first year and has grown,” Fields said.
The Gardner Girls, a team that comprises many Berry students, facility and alumni, consisted of a group of 60 to 70 people. The group walked in honor of Fields and Pam Gardner, a top fundraiser for the state.
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The Gardner Girls, a team that comprises many Berry students, facility and alumni, walked Saturday in support of Lydia Fields and others, including one of the state’s top fundraisers, Pam Gardner at Berry College. (Karissa Stewart / Rome News-Tribune) |
tal of the money raised through the event was not available Saturday.
All proceeds raised will go toward research and finding a cure for the disease. In Georgia, more than 8,500 live with MS and the Georgia Chapter of the National MS Society provides local educational and client programs.
“This is such an encouraging event that deals with people coming together that have the same issues,” Fields said. “MS is unpredictable, and it’s great to have a community here to support the same cause.”
Scott Wigley, 46, was diagnosed when he was 23. He was unable to walk in the event but came with his family to participate in the festivities.
Click to see a slideshow from the walk.
“He’s always a top fundraiser,” said his mom Betty Wigley. He raised $3,510 single-handedly.
