Multiple sclerosis affects lives every moment of every year. At any time, someone with MS may suddenly be unable to stand up, hug their child or see a friend across the room.
U2 fans who went to Hawaii in April participated in the National MS Society's annual MS Walk to help raise funds for research and local programs. It was a small thing for us to do for people who face the devastating and relentless effects of MS every day. Step by step, we hope to bring the National MS Society closer to a cure.
Here is the picture of our 'Zootopians' team after completing the MS Walk.
We were interviewed by Liz Chun, from the local KGMB9 News channel, you can download a short video clip with the broadcast. The MS Walk broadcast also appears in the "U2 Fans Unite as ONE in Hawaii" video presentation on the main page.
In June, two of our team members were invited to a meeting of the Hawaii chapter of the MS Society.
The Hawaii Chapter has a staff of only 2 full-time workers and volunteers, and they were amazed when a multitude of e-pledges began pouring from all over the world for members of a mysterious team that registered only weeks before the Walk called "The Zootopians." When Liz Chun, the spokesperson and sports reporter for KGMB news did a feature story on this team of enthusiastic U2 fans, it increased the local airtime exposure for the MS Walk to almost 10 minutes. The Society was grateful for the extra coverage.
Although we didn't get to see U2 on April 8th, that morning we raised a total of $2,676.00 for the Hawaii Chapter of the MS Society! This helped the Society to pass their goal of $11,000, bringing families affected with MS one step closer to a cure. As the most successful first-time team entrants, we won the "New Kids on the Block" award for 2006. Because we had the most numbers of friends and family sponsoring us, we also won the "Friends and Family" award for 2006.
Here is the picture of our two team members, with Liz Chun from KGMB9 News channel in the center, receiving the awards.
We would like to thank all team members, especially Shannon, our team captain who organized our team, and Laura, Julie, June, Eden, Hans, Kerri, Mandi, Jill, Malia, Marie-Anne, Kathy, Lois, Renee, Jessica, Alvaro, Rana, Birgit and John. Many thanks to all the people who donated money to the MS Society through our team, the MS Society, Liz Chun and the others at KGMB9 News, and all other people who supported us with this initiative.
The Zootopians Team.
MS Society links
More information about the National MS Society.
More information about the MS Walk on April 8, Honolulu.
U2 Fans United as ONE in Hawaii