Home Brentwood Diagnosed with MS: Rarey Hopes to Raise $400 for “MS Walk” Event

Diagnosed with MS: Rarey Hopes to Raise $400 for “MS Walk” Event

by ECT

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A very special lady was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis late last year whom I consider to be one of the gems of Brentwood. Karen Rarey can be described as a community advocate who has given so much time towards improving the community in a variety of ways from working with non-profits, improving the environment to simple random acts of kindness has helped make East County a wonderful place to reside.

She is currently the President of the Liberty Union High School District ED Foundation and formally with REI as an Outreach Specialist. She is also writing again with the Contra Costa Times and putting out some wonderful features. When she is not doing all that, she is dealing with her MS and refuses to let it define her.

Rarey explained that for years she had a variety of ailments but continued to push forward with her goals.

“It made me feel like I was a hypochondriac – none of the symptoms seemed to be connected to each other. It wasn’t until my paralysis in 2010 that all of those ailments finally made sense, the diagnosis was multiple sclerosis,” said Rarey. “My MS is in the form of extreme head-to-toe pain on my right side and excessive fatigue. I may look great, but I feel like crap.”

Rarey said she saw a MS poster with a message that was spot on stating that “MS keeps people from moving and I’ve got places to go, things to do and people to see!” She knew she wanted to get involved.

“The challenge of this event is getting me outside to exercise, which hopefully will make me feel better. Also, so little is known about what causes MS that the more money raised for research can hopefully bring a cure to this debilitating autoimmune disease,” explained Rarey.

Now is your time to give back as she will be walking in the Walk MS event on April 14 at Heather Farms in Walnut Creek. The 5k/1 mile walk will begin at 9:00 am. In the meantime, she is looking for donation.

Ms. Rarey stated her fundraising goal is to raise $400 within the next ten days. It’s a challenge, but she is up to it and I wouldn’t doubt this woman as she has been in pain the last few months and still acting like superwoman!  Let’s help her double her goal and raise $800!

According to the event website, this is what your donation could go towards.

  • $35.00 (A donation of $35 could provide a book for our resource library)
  • $65.00 (A donation of $65 could provide two or more hours of in-home assistance, keeping another individual living with MS in their home longer)
  • $120.00 (A donation of $120 could provide at least one hour of MS Client Crisis Counseling for patients and their families)
  • $200.00 (Approximately 200 people are diagnosed with MS every week
  • $400.00 (Approximately 400,000 Americans are living with MS)

Click here to make a donation on Karens behalf

Event Info

April 14, 2013
Location: Heather Farm Park
Address: 502 North San Carlos Drive, Walnut Creek, CA
Register/Check-In: 8AM
Start Time: 9AM
Route Length: 5K / 1 mile
Contact: Sam McIlraith
For more information call: 1-800-344-4867

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1 comment

Diane Burgis Apr 5, 2013 - 7:48 am

Karen is a lovely, generous lady. I am proud to call her my friend. I believe she can do what ever she sets her mind to do. She has too much joy and love in her heart to let this hold her back. Please support this cause and this lady who has contributed so much to her community.

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