The Power of Showing Up: Meet the Volunteers Behind MS Walk

For Sharon and Len, there’s one driving force behind their 30-plus years of volunteering for MS Walk—their son, Christopher.  

When Christopher was diagnosed with MS in 1991, Sharon reached out to the MS community looking for ways to become involved and started her volunteer journey. She was part of the planning committee for their local MS Walk in 1992, and her husband, Len, began volunteering shortly after. “Volunteering with the MS community together has been a big part of our lives ever since,” Sharon noted.

Before Christopher’s passing in 2022, he was an active volunteer in the MS community, speaking at his children’s school, universities, and businesses to raise awareness and support for MS research. “He did everything he could to educate others about MS and even created activities to help kids understand what it’s like to live with MS,” said Sharon. Christopher also served as an MS Canada ambassador, spoke at events, was passionate about advocating for the MS community, and encouraged others to get involved. Seeing Christopher’s dedication to improving the lives of people living with MS inspired Sharon and Len to continue his legacy and stay involved with the community, year after year. “Connecting with the MS community feels like coming home. There’s a real sense that you belong,” they said. 

Sharon and Len have taken on many roles for MS Walk, from handing out registration packages to helping with fundraising activities. But for them, the most meaningful part of volunteering is forming connections with community members. “We always look forward to meeting new people, especially those who have been newly diagnosed with MS. Being able to listen to their stories and connect them with resources or other members of the MS community is really important to us,” Sharon explained. On MS Walk day, Sharon and Len often approach participants standing alone to introduce themselves and make sure every community member feels welcomed and supported. 

Sharon recalls an impactful moment with an MS Walk participant who hadn’t shared her MS diagnosis publicly yet. “She hadn’t told anyone she was living with MS, but she was inspired by my son, Christopher, to share her story. I connected with her on a very personal level and encouraged her to wear an ‘I Have MS’ T-shirt and told her it was her day to shine. She took a T-shirt and proudly wore it at the event,” Sharon reflected. 

MS Walk has become more than just a fundraising opportunity for Sharon and Len—it’s become a family event. Their involvement inspired many of their family members to join and support the MS community. They often lend a helping hand at the team tent, and everyone comes together to support the event.  

There’s one special MS Walk moment that stands out for Sharon and Len: “After Christopher passed away, his only grandchild at the time, Charlie, saw a photo of Christopher at an MS Walk rest stop dedicated to him. Charlie stood there quietly, looking up at the photo of his grandpa. It’s so meaningful to know that each year, he can feel connected to his grandpa at MS Walk and reflect on Christopher’s legacy.,” shared Sharon. 

What began with following Christopher’s passion for volunteering has grown into something much bigger. Now, more than 25 of their family members either volunteer or participate in MS Walk each year. “Seeing the next generation of our family continue to support the MS community means everything to us. When you volunteer, you truly get more than you give. You feel like you’re making a difference, and it never feels like work,” Sharon said. 

After Kayleigh attended her first MS Walk in 2023, she knew she wanted to get more involved. “I was inspired by how people living with MS, their loved ones, and volunteers came together to support one another and the broader MS community,” she says. That experience motivated her to take a more active role, and she’s been volunteering at MS Walk for the past two years. 

Diagnosed with MS in 2021 at just 18 years old, Kayleigh balances her health with her studies and research. Her master’s research focuses on exercise as a treatment strategy for people living with advanced MS, and volunteering has become an important way to stay connected to the community. “When I was first diagnosed, I often felt alone, but being part of MS Walk reminded me of the incredible support available,” she says. “It’s also given me an opportunity to turn my own lived experiences into action that can help others living with the disease.”

Her volunteer roles have varied from early morning setup at the Hamilton-Burlington MS Walk in 2024 to working in the Kids Zone and joining the cheer squad at the Ottawa MS Walk in 2025. “Working in the Kids Zone allowed me to engage directly with families, helping create a fun and high-spirited atmosphere throughout the event,” she says. For Kayleigh, a typical MS Walk day starts with preparation (sunscreen, comfy clothes and shoes, and layers for unpredictable weather!) and ends with a sense of accomplishment. “I arrive with a positive attitude and ready to help wherever I’m needed. Being surrounded by the cheerful smiles of others living with MS, their loved ones, and fellow volunteers creates an uplifting atmosphere that sets the tone for the day.” 

Some of Kayleigh’s most memorable moments have come from interacting with MS Walk participants. A participant using a walker stood out to her: “He was walking alone and moving at his own pace along an alternative route, and it really moved me to see how, despite his mobility limitations, he was determined to take part in the event. Another volunteer and I decided to join him for a portion of the walk, chatting and encouraging him along the way. It was a powerful reminder of the resilience and determination of people living with MS, and of how even small gestures of support can make people feel seen, connected, and motivated.”

Cheering participants across the finish line is another highlight, “Living with MS can sometimes feel isolating, so being able to offer encouragement, put a smile on someone’s face, and create a positive, uplifting environment feels especially meaningful,” she says.

For Kayleigh, volunteering is about community and connection. “Volunteering for MS Walk means being part of something bigger than myself. It’s an opportunity to support people living with MS and their families, while also contributing to fundraising and raising awareness about MS,” she explains. She emphasizes that MS looks different for everyone, “I myself live with MS, but no one looking at me from the outside would know it. Many symptoms are invisible and making assumptions about someone’s abilities or experiences risks overlooking the challenges they quietly carry each day.” 

The sense of community at MS Walk is central to the experience. “People living with MS, their families, friends, and volunteers come together with a shared purpose, creating an atmosphere of support and connection,” says Kayleigh.  

For anyone considering volunteering for MS Walk, Kayleigh shared, “It’s an incredibly rewarding experience. You get to be part of a supportive and uplifting community, connect with people living with MS and their families, learn their stories, and contribute to fundraising and awareness efforts that truly make a difference. Volunteering has had a significant impact on my life and my journey living with MS. It’s strengthened my sense of purpose and connection and has shown me the power of community.” 

Paige’s connection to MS began when her Auntie Kerra was diagnosed while Paige was young. She didn’t quite understand what it meant at the time, but as she grew older, she conducted her own research to learn more about the disease, which helped shape her understanding and connection to the MS community. 

This will be Paige’s fourth year volunteering for MS Walk, and she’s been participating in the walk and fundraising for over fifteen years. After a pause during the COVID-19 lockdowns, Paige was looking for a new way to get involved, “I was searching for a way to continue giving back, and volunteering for MS Walk felt like the perfect opportunity,” she says. 

As a committee member for the Winnipeg MS Walk, Paige oversees the entertainment corner, planning activities and helping wherever needed. “If I’m not at the entertainment tent, I’m usually seeing if there’s help needed anywhere else and, of course, participating in the walk too,” she explains.

Paige loves seeing how her efforts make a difference. “Since I started on the committee in 2023, we’ve increased our participation goal each year, and being able to see such steady growth has been really rewarding. I feel like it demonstrates the strength of our community,” she shared. One of her most memorable moments came when she emceed the 2023 Winnipeg MS Walk. “To be trusted to do something of such significance was truly an honour and had a big impact on the way I continue to volunteer and help make a difference.” 

The people Paige has met through MS Walk have also made a big impact on her. “Marielle Dacquel was the walk coordinator the first year I volunteered. She’s an amazing person and so inspiring. She really encouraged me to take initiative and share my passion to make a difference with others. We’ve kept in touch and I’m so honoured to know her and grateful for the encouragement she’s shown me.”

What keeps Paige coming back year after year is the heartwarming sense of community. “Even though you might not know everyone, you feel as though you do after the walk is done. There’s nothing but friendly faces and kind hearts in the MS Walk community, and I’m so grateful to be a part of it,” she reflected.

“Volunteering and participating in MS Walk has allowed me to hear stories and experiences from others living with MS and has really helped connect me to the community. I’ve made new friends and met some wonderful people along the way. Everyone’s story is different, and I think having the opportunity to listen to the stories of others is so inspiring and beautiful,” Paige shared. 

Looking back on her time volunteering, Paige encourages others to get involved, “Volunteering for MS Walk has truly changed my life. Four years ago, when I made the initial inquiry about volunteering, I didn’t know what to expect but taking that step was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. You’ll meet so many amazing people and be surrounded by such a caring community that before you know it, you’ll have been volunteering for four years!”