Meet Chris and Charlene
Chris and his family have been navigating life with MS since 2019 when his wife, Charlene, was diagnosed.
“I met and fell in love with my wife back in 1995. We spent every minute together, got married and raised 3 beautiful kids who we couldn't imagine life without.”
Chris and Charlene were attending a function at their local football club when Charlene came to Chris complaining about a numbness in her feet. They brushed it off but over the next few days she also experienced headaches and blurred vision.
A week later, Chris noticed Charlene holding onto tables while walking around. He knew something was wrong.
“We went to the hospital where they ran tests and asked us if we had heard of multiple sclerosis. In that moment the doctor explained many things to Charlene, but I didn't hear a word... my focus was solely on my wife.”
Another week of blood tests, eye tests and an MRI and it was confirmed, Charlene had MS.
Chris remembers the good and the bad days that have happened over the past 6 years, keeping his promise to always fight with and for his wife, no matter what.
“We are NOT giving in to this silent disease. I'm here to fight for my wife and our family... MS doesn't belong here.”
2019 was Chris’s first year taking part in The May 50K. Motivated by wanting to raise money and awareness for people who are living with MS. He is now back for his 6th year! Having to miss 2024 due to a knee injury, Chris is back and ready to leave his limits behind in 2025!
An incredible fundraiser, Chris has raised over $8,000 for MS research! Here are his top tips for fellow fundraisers:
- Be as personal as you can, social media is fantastic for this.
- Reach out to everyone you know. If a friend owns a business, ask them to help with promotion, donations, or even dollar matching.
- Change your content up every week.
- Publicly thank everyone who donates. Make sure they feel special too.
- Let them know that their support means the world.
A huge presence in The May 50K Facebook Community Group, Chris loves seeing everyone's personal journey through the challenge and encourage them to keep going! Chris’s top tips to stay motivated are to read our other Motivators stories and share your journey with the group to stay accountable and receive support.
To Chris, staying motivated is easy, he just looks towards Charlene and their family. Together, they can take on anything.
By fundraising for The May 50K and supporting MS research, you could help stop MS in its tracks and help make a difference in the lives of families like Chris and Charlene’s.
