Get the latest Syracuse news delivered right to your inbox.
Subscribe to our newsletter here.

Over 100 people gathered Sunday morning at Destiny USA for the 27th annual Mission Steps and Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Day Walk, hosted by MS Resources of Central New York. The event was part of a local effort to raise awareness and funding for people impacted by multiple sclerosis in central New York.

Participants, ranging from MS patients and their families t0 local Syracuse business owners and organizations, dressed in bright purple shirts and marched throughout the mall for much of the day. AnnMarie Fleet, a longtime volunteer with MS Resources of CNY, said the group’s goal was to raise visibility for local efforts to combat the chronic autoimmune disease.

“The most important thing is seeing all the groups get together and support the effort. It’s the sense of community that matters,” Fleet said. “There are so many people, especially in our area, affected by it. It’s pretty predominant.”

Fleet has dedicated more than two decades to the organization as a volunteer, participating in these walks and other events. While she has battled MS herself, she also serves as treasurer of Making a Bad Day Good, a local nonprofit dedicated to supporting city residents through random acts of kindness and donating to charitable organizations.

Despite a few inches of snow and sub-zero temperatures, Fleet said she was impressed by the walk’s turnout. Above helping MS Resources of CNY, Fleet said showing up for the walk shows support and solidarity for patients.

As a volunteer who’s helped clients for decades, Fleet said she’s seen patients with a range of symptoms. She emphasized that MS has many “faces,” and each case can look different.

“You look like a million bucks and people don’t know why you can’t do certain things or go certain places,” Fleet said. “It’s all on the inside, and everybody’s so different, there’s no telling what you’re going to get.”

MS attacks the myelin sheath, which protects the neurons in the spinal cord and brain. As the disease damages this layer, it disrupts signals in the nervous system, which causes memory loss, vision impairment, fatigue and difficulty with mobility. Unless someone is personally affected by MS, Fleet said, it’s difficult to fully understand how the disease impacts the body because those with MS often appear “perfectly fine.”

Susan Rusinko, a volunteer of 25 years and client of MS Resources of CNY, also emphasized the varying, case-by-case nature of MS. She said even those struggling with physical disability as a result of MS faced the cold to support the community.

“There are those who are walking and able-bodied, and there are those whose condition has progressed,” Rusinko said. “But even those who have progressed, you’ll see them at this walk too.”

Solange Jain | Photo Editor

Participants march throughout Destiny USA in solidarity with those affected by multiple sclerosis. Hosted by MS Resources of Central New York, the walk saw over 100 participants Sunday morning.

Joanne Catanzarita, a nursing professor at Pomeroy College of Nursing at Crouse Hospital,
discovered her passion for MS activism after a friend of hers who was battling chronic diseases asked her to sell raffle tickets at a 1987 event. Catanzarita said she witnessed the strong bonds the organization created and has since returned to the walks year after year.

She also said symptoms present themselves depending on the locations of plaques in the brain, so one person could experience bladder issues, while another may experience ocular problems. As research into MS continues, the range of its symptoms is often misunderstood by the public, she said.

Annette Siemele, the organization’s associate director, said she and co-partner Jessa Goss have pushed for stronger MS research throughout central New York.

Siemele said that while adaptive equipment is sometimes necessary for MS patients, it’s not always the case. She emphasized that the walk’s focus is on showing the ability of patients, rather than disability.

Central New York reports double the national average of MS cases annually, syracuse.com reported. Although the cause remains unclear, Catanzarita highlighted the importance of a healthy diet for preventing the progression of MS symptoms. She also said Vitamin D helps the immune system combat the disease.

Solange Jain | Photo Editor

Multiple Sclerosis attacks the myelin sheath, which protects the neurons in the brain and spinal cord. Those with MS can experience memory loss, vision impairment, fatigue and difficulty with mobility, though it presents differently in everyone.

Ruth Sikora, a nurse practitioner and 10-year volunteer with MS Resources, joined the organization because her sister-in-law has MS. She said witnessing the effects of MS firsthand has motivated her to stay involved for the past decade.

Sikora said the yearly walks have been meaningful for her life, both as a chance to raise awareness for her loved one and educate the public on the resources and organizations available to support people with MS.

“My work, my life, it’s all about patient education and helping everyone be their best self and do the most that they can with whatever MS resources,” Sikora said.

As the team was preparing for the walk early Sunday morning, Fleet said she noticed a friend walking into the mall. When Fleet approached her, the friend asked about the sea of purple and the many cars in the parking lot, unaware of the event that would be starting shortly.

As they spoke, Fleet said she felt the rush of excitement she always does when bringing a new person into the organization’s mission.

“Hopefully there’ll be one person shopping today that sees a purple shirt, picks up the phone and calls us tomorrow and tells us either: A, they were diagnosed with MS or B, they have a loved one that’s diagnosed with MS,” Siemele said. “It’s about raising awareness and making sure future generations continue to fight for those affected by MS.”

Published on March 2, 2025 at 11:38 pm

Contact Shivika: sgupta38@syr.edu