Last modified Thu., April 19, 2007 - 01:58 AM
Originally created Thursday, April 19, 2007

Naval Hospital Jax members participate in walk

From Naval Hospital Jax Public Affairs

Naval Hospital Jacksonville's Team Family Medicine gathers around a Jacksonville Jaguars statue near Friendship Fountain on the boardwalk just before the walk kicks off. In the photo are Sherry Wright, Erica Wright, Serafina DiBenedetto, HM3 Michael Sersch, HM3 Terry Cole, Jessica Gia, Susan McCready, Reynaldo Lopez, Samantha Cole, Colby Underwood, HM3 Sunshine Padilla, HN Luis Gia, Joesph Underwood, HM3 Robert Miller and Rachel Nieves. Photos courtesy of Naval Hospital Jax

Several members of Naval Hospital Jacksonville's Family Medicine Clinic participated in this year's Multiple Sclerosis Walk in downtown Jacksonville March 31. The annual event raises money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society - North Florida Chapter.

Serafina Dibenedetto, RN, BSN, the clinic's Women's Health coordinator, said that awareness of Multiple Scelerosis and support of those who suffer this disease is very important, as is supporting work towards a cure. She pointed out that, "Every hour someone new is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Every morning, more than 400,000 Americans wake up with the unpredictability of MS which can mean reduced vision, lost of muscle control, numbness or tingling and even immobility."

"The group participated in this annual Jacksonville walk for the second time out of a sense of community and to selflessly contribute to those people who need our support," said Dibenedetto. "Everyone seemed to have a great time. The weather cooperated and being outdoors, exercising and coming together with friends and co-workers is always a plus."

The group raised a total of $370 for the MS Foundation through pledges and personal donations. The team won a free pizza party as they had the most walkers to register during "Team Week" in early March.

For more on Multiple Sclerosis visit http://www.nationalmssociety.org.

Standing out in "Team Family Medicine" T-shirts for this event, Reynaldo Lopez, Sherry Wright, Erica Wright and Susan McCready participate in the annual MS Walk in downtown Jacksonville.