Over the weekend, SMU students raised $2,135 for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, which funds research and provides services and programs to help people with Multiple Sclerosis and their families.

Thirty-two students participated in the Dallas 2010 Walk MS on March 27. The SMU team, Mustang Miracle, was one of the third highest fundraisers in the school category.

MS is a chronic, unpredictable neurological disease that attacks the central nervous system, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Web site.

Although the cause of MS is unknown, one theory is environmental. Some scientists think the disease may be linked to a vitamin D deficiency. The body naturally produces Vitamin D when skin is exposed to sunlight, and MS occurs more frequently in areas farther away from the equator.

Freshman Hannah Bliss, community service director for Virginia-Snider and Mustang Miracle team captain, originally planned to participate in the walk as a service event with her residence hall. However, as more people learned about the event and Hannah’s personal connection with it, the group grew.

Bliss’s mother, Natalie, was diagnosed with MS about six years ago, while Bliss was in sixth grade.

“This was definitely a way for me to support her and love her even though I’m away from her and away from home,” Bliss said.

Freshman Michelle Craig met Bliss at AARO and they soon became good friends. Craig said she found out that Bliss’s mother had MS only two weeks ago when discussing the MS walk.

Craig said setting her alarm for 6 a.m. was difficult, but worth it. She said the experience made her appreciate her own health. Through her conversations with Bliss, Craig said she learned that anyone can be diagnosed with the disease and MS is a difficult disease to diagnose.

“We don’t know what causes it. That was part of my motivation. To find the cause, because you can’t start working for the cure until you find the cause,” Craig said.

Freshman Alex Mace also participated in the walk. He went to high school with Bliss in St. Louis and his twin sister was her best friend. Mace said he did not know much about MS until he talked to Bliss and decided to help.

This year, they made tie-dye shirts for their uniform and wore orange headbands for Bliss and her mother.

Mace said he cannot wait for next year, and looks forward to future costumes and bringing attention to MS. He also said he hopes that the walk doubles, or even triples, in size.

Sarah Wainwright, another participant, said the walk was the most fun she ever had, even though she had to get up early and lose some sleep. She went on rollerblades, carried a radio and played music by Britney Spears, Michael Jackson and Journey.

Bliss, Craig and Mace all said the music Wainwright provided enhanced the fun.

“Think about a group of college students being up at 7 a.m. and dancing around,” Craig said.

Fundraising will continue for another two weeks after the event and Bliss’s team is $210 away from first place. To donate to the team or learn more information, visit: www.nationalmssociety.org.