Pastor With MS Gives Thanks To Woman Who Is 33-Year 'Walk MS' Veteran

DENVER (CBS4) - Next Saturday is the 25th annual Walk MS. When the walks began there were no treatments available, but that's all changed.

Jeanette Hill has been to nearly every walk. Hill and her pastor, Chris Davis, have a common bond. Hill's brother had multiple sclerosis and Chris is living with it.

"They didn't know what was wrong with Alan," Hill said.

Hill's brother, Alan, learned he had MS back in 1978 when he was in his 30s.

"The double vision; he was throwing his leg out. They thought he was drunk or on drugs," Hill said.

Davis learned he had the disease just a few years ago.

"For me ... it was just one night in the span of about 45 minutes the whole left side of my face went completely numb," Davis said. "So I thought I was having a stroke."

MS is a disease that affects the central nervous system by disrupting the flow of information from the brain to the body. Back in the 1970s, and to this day, the cause remains a mystery.

"Back in those days they didn't have much help," Hill said. "There were no drugs, no medicine."

Alan was confined to a wheel chair and died from pneumonia. But thanks to millions raised and incredible advances in research, Davis takes medication and is able to live a normal life.

"It's extraordinary, from the people who I have known, and hearing people's stories, like Jeanette's brother, it is night and day difference what they've been able to do with the disease really over the last 30 years," Davis said.

Hill's team is called "Never Give Up," and at 79 years young, she's already gearing up for Walk MS 2013.

"We've got to find a cure, we've got to find a cure," she said.

Davis can't say thanks enough.

"Well thank you so much for everything you've done for 33 years," Davis said to Hill.

Donations are critical to finding a cure for MS. That's why CBS4 hopes Coloradans will participate in the MS Society's Walk MS on Saturday, May 4. For more information and on how to register for the walk, visit the MS Society's website.