He aims to inspire others to defeat MS

Glenwood resident Nick Marchesani is named 2010 Walk MS Ambassador Vernon — Glenwood resident Nick Marchesani was named as the 2010 Walk MS Ambassador for the New Jersey Metro Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Marchesani, who has been living with MS for more than 10 years, will help to raise awareness of the disease and the Walk MS fundraising event by sharing his story. Marchesani’s first symptoms came on in the early 1990’s. He experienced a host of vision problems, including double vision, nausea and fatigue. He spent three years of his life going from doctor to doctor never receiving a diagnosis. He was not taken seriously and was told the problems were in his head. In November 2000, he was at his wit’s end and went to the emergency room for help. Doctors again told him he was fine and he should go home, but he refused to leave. Finally he came upon a doctor who would listen — this doctor admitted him and three days later diagnosed him with multiple sclerosis. As time passed, Marchesani noticed more and more of his abilities deteriorating. In 2004, he went from walking short distances with excruciating pain to no longer being able walk. As a former high school stand-out track runner and later an Army infantry soldier, this was a devastating blow. It was then that he decided he would not let MS beat him. It gave him a new outlook on life and he vowed to never give up on the things that he loved doing. Moving forward Today, Marchesani’s pedometer tells him that he can walk more than 13,000 steps, which is equivalent to a little over 6.5 miles, and he has the ability to run about 200 yards. His ultimate goal is to run a five-mile race once again. His hope is that when a person hears the two words “multiple sclerosis,” they will not automatically assume the worst. To Marchesani, MS has a new meaning. He tells everyone, “Yes, I have MS: Multiple Strengths!” Marchesani and his wife Colleen will hit the pavement to help create a world free of MS in the 2010 Walk MS to be held on Sunday, April 18 in Jersey City. The New Jersey Metro Chapter will host 14 Walk MS sites throughout the state with over 10,000 participants with a goal of raising $2 million.

Get involved
Participants can register individually, join a team or create a team. For more information about Walk MS, contact Patricia Tupycia in central New Jersey at 732-660-1005 or Jennifer Hivry in northern New Jersey at 201-967-5599 or visit walknjm.nationalmssociety.org.