Nyacker with MS to Walk for Charity

Elena Williams has been at for 24 years, serving as an administrative associate on the maternity unit.

But Williams' dedication to helping Rockland families and youngsters goes beyond a quarter-century commitment—she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) 14 years ago, and hasn't slowed down since.

"It came out of the blue," Williams said, recalling the disease's onset in 1998. "I woke up one morning with no vision." MS is a chronic disease that assails the central nervous system and, in severe cases, can cause paralysis and blindness.

Williams, a Tappan native now living in Nyack, is helping raise awareness and find a cure for MS with Team Elena. Her and a group of volunteers will be participating in April 28's 2012 Walk MS Rockland County. The event is held at Rockland Lake in Valley Cottage and organized by National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Though Williams has walked at past events, this year will be her first in several years. And the idea to start again wasn't wholly hers.

"My daughter Maria surprised me," Williams said. Maria does fundraising for a media company in Manhattan, and put together Team Elena without her mother knowing. Currently, 23 friends, family members and coworkers have joined and raised over $2,200 as of Friday afternoon. Their goal? $5,000.

Williams and her team won't be walking alone; the Haggerty Girls of Strawberry Place have a team walking, as does .

The Haggertys, whose husband and father has MS, have always been close with Williams.

"[Jody] Haggerty has helped me over the years," Williams said, noting they share tips and doctors. "She called me after when I was in the hospital and said, 'everythng will be fine.'"

Despite the ups and downs her disease brings, Williams insists it hasn't changed her—only illuminated her friends' and families' commitment.

"I'm still the same person," she said. "I have a great team of family, friends and co-workers—they're always there for me. My co-workers—like head nurse manager is Maryann Clay—have become family."

To describe the multiple sclerosis lifestyle best, Williams turns to her favorite dictum.

"We have MS, but MS doesn't have us," she said.

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The details

• 2012 Walk MS Rockland County will be held Saturday, April 28, 8 a.m. at Rockland Lake in Valley Cottage.

• To donate online or join Team Elena, click here.