St. John Team Participates in the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Walk-A-Thon
By Brother Kenneth Parham, 9thEpiscopal District
When someone in the family is sick, the family tends to surround that individual with abundant love and support. I have witnessed this outpouring toward the members of the Grier family who have lived with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) for more than two decades. In this time period, we—the Parham family and others (the Barretts, Waltons, Trentons, Rivers, and Rochelles)—have offered our support by being there when the Grier family called for walkers during annual walk-a-thons. Also, last year the team name was changed to show love and support for a member of the St. John AME Church family, Sister Lillie Rivers, who had been diagnosed with MS as well as continuing to show support of the Grier family members with MS.
Looking back over the years, if one thought about the miles walked in support of finding a cure for MS, the Grier-organized teams (Walk for Jean, PJ Partners, and MS PAC (Praying for a Cure) have gone through some sneakers. Given that the average “Walk MS” event is three miles and the average number of members on the Grier teams has been about seven and the annual walks have been going on for over 25 years, the Grier teams have walked over 525 miles.
The Huntsville MS Walk-A-Thons have taken them through the downtown historical district, through the Huntsville Botanical Gardens, and around the University of Alabama Huntsville campus, Big Springs Park, Providence Elementary campus, and the Village of Providence. Amazingly, the team cannot remember the MS Walk ever being canceled due to inclement weather. Using a similar type of logic, the Grier teams have consistently raised approximately $2,000 per walk for a total of $50,000. The Griers and extended family have been faithful in their support to the National MS Society in helping raise funds to further research in an ongoing effort of finding a cure for this devastating disease.
Once again, the Griers and extended family have answered the call. The MS PAC team participated in the MS Walk-A-Thon on May 5, 2018, at the Providence Village in Huntsville, Alabama. The participants were Agnes Gilmore (team co-captain/virtual walker), Patricia Grier (team co-captain), Phyllis Barrett, Lillie Rivers, Lorraine Parham, and Kenneth Parham. As always, the MS PAC team extends many thanks for the love and financial support given by the St. John AME Church family again this year. The Reverend Maurice Wright is the pastor. Remember, we are walking to create a world free of MS.
