Walk to help treat multiple Sclerosis in Scarborough

5 to 10 Km walk to raise funds to assist families of patients and research programmes
by GEORGE KAGAME


The Multiple Sclerosis calls upon all residents of Pickering, Scarborough and Etobicoke to participate in the annual MS Walk taking place on Sunday April 19th.

The walk will raise funds to ensure support to people who live with the disease. This support includes national research programs to fund possible causes and cure of the disease, as well as family assistance for those affected by the disease. For 2009, 60,000 people are expected to walk while $6.7 million is targeted to be raised from the participants and sponsors. The walk is held annually in all parts of the country on the same day.

According to MS Canada, the disease refers to a complex system whereby the immune system of the body attacks the central nervous system causing scars or plaques. Symptoms and effects include: vision disturbances such as double or blurred vision, extreme fatigue, loss of balance, stiffness of muscles speech problems, bladder and bowel problems, and short-term memory problems.

The MS Canada web page states that the causes of the disease are so far unknown and there’s no cure yet but researchers are close to finding the answers to these questions. They add that Canda has some of the highest cases of Multiple Sclerosis with an average of three news cases everyday.
Commenting on the walk, Mark Holland the Member of Parliament for Ajax-Pickering said: “Ajax-Pickering is a community that cares. Even during these challenging times, I am confident that our community will raise record support at this year’s MS Walk that will help give people who live with great challenges like MS a brighter future.”


The 5km to 10km MS Walk will start at 9.30 am on Sunday 19th April in the following places: Pickering at Pine Ridge Secondary School-Address: 2155 Liverpool Rd.
Etobicoke: at St. Mark Catholic School-Address: 45 Cloverhill Road.
Scarborough: at Cedarbrae CI- Address: 550 Markham Road, Toronto

Toronto Mayor's Luncheon to discuss 'bad' economic times

M

Toronto Community News sponsors forum to discuss challenges of ‘turbulent economic times
by GEORGE KAGAME

The economy and the recently approved Toronto City budget are set to be the major discussion topics as Mayor David Miller meets with the Toronto Board of Trade in the annual Mayor’s Luncheon at Delta Toronto East Hotel in Scarborough on Thursday 9th April.

Now in its 11th year, the Mayor’s annual luncheon brings together city administrators and the city’s business community, this year’s luncheon comes only a week after the budget totalling $ 8.7 billion was approved by the city council. The 2009 version is sponsored by Toronto Community News which publishes weekly newspapers in almost all the suburbs of Toronto and its business hubs in the centre and downtown.

Even many media houses have reported that the business community welcomed the budget, a communique from the organizers of the luncheon stated that members of the public are welcome to listen to the city’s economic players in analyzing the challenges of the current economic recession: “Given these turbulent economic times, join us at this year’s luncheon, perhaps more anticipated that any before, to hear the Mayor address the challenges our city faces and shared vision for the future”.

The luncheon is free for members of the public with tickets starting from $45 and tables available for booking at www.bot.com or by calling 416 862 4500