During the pandemic in 2020, Quarryville resident Jim Fogarty decided to get himself mentally and physically healthy. To achieve this goal, Jim started running in the mornings and soon discovered his passion and enjoyment for long distance running. One of his favorite local places to run is the Enola Low Grade Trail, which, according to Jim, is a wonderful asset to the area. After completing two half marathons, he wanted to challenge himself further, so he began searching for fundraising relays in which he could participate. While scrolling on Facebook, Jim stumbled across MS Run the US.

Four years before Ashley Schneider, founder of MS Run the US, was born, her mother was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). She completed a 3,288-mile solo run across America in 2010 to raise $500,000 for MS research, but only raised 10% of her initial goal. As a result, she decided to run across America again, but with more people. In 2013, MS Run the US launched an annual relay run in which 19 individuals each run six marathons in six days and fundraise at least $10,000. The money raised supports MS Run the US' mission to raise awareness of the disease, aid research, and help those living with disability due to MS.

Jim identified with Schneider as his mother received an MS diagnosis. Witnessing the negative impact of MS on his mother's quality of life for the past 20 years is what inspired Jim to sign up for MS Run the US. MS is a potentially disabling disease of the central nervous system. With MS, there are communication problems between the brain and the rest of the body, which can cause permanent damage to or deterioration of the nerves. There is no known cure, but certain treatments can help individuals manage their symptoms. In the case of Jim's mother, Mary Beth Fogarty, she experiencess tiredness, fatigue, and mobility issues, and her body does not handle warm temperatures well.

"I can't imagine knowing there's no cure for a disease you've been diagnosed with and that it will only get worse," said Jim. "I want to help with the mental anguish and financial burden that comes with that."

Between Sunday, July 31 and Friday, Aug. 5, Jim will run a total of 169 miles from Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio to Brookville. This means that he will run about 28 miles each day to complete segment 17 of the 19-segment relay, which spans from Santa Monica, Calif., to New York, N.Y.

"My goal is twofold," said Jim. "To bring awareness to this disease and to raise money for finding a cure and helping those currently with it. Every dollar really does help with this effort."

To donate to Jim's relay fundraiser, visit https://bit.ly/JimMSRuntheUS. To learn more about MS Run the US, visit http://www.msruntheus.org.