JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – In just over two weeks, hundreds with gather to help fight for a cure for multiple sclerosis at Smith Wills Stadium in Jackson. The Mississippi MS Society will hold its annual walk to raise awareness and money for research.

Eva Jackson and Laura Garvis Hannah are both living with MS. Jackson was diagnosed three years ago, but her doctors said she’s lived with MS since she was young. Now, she’s on a mission to educate people about getting an early diagnosis.

“I was walking with a walker, and now, through therapy, walking with a cane. And according to our therapist, I never will not walk with a cane. I will always walk with a cane. But through, therapy and disease modifying therapy, hopefully I don’t go any further,” Jackson said.

Regina Griffin’s son, Stanford, was diagnosed with MS at 15. They knew something was wrong when he was struggling at school.

“One, he couldn’t remember anything he was studying. That was one thing. He fell at school, that was the other thing. And then, he had a problem with using the restroom. And that was the biggest thing. And they happened within 24 hours pretty much of each other. And the pediatrician said that we need to see what’s going on,” said Griffin.

Stanford has been living with MS for 16 years, and Griffin said it’s painful to watch her song struggle with the disease at a young age.

“It’s a very challenging thing when your kid wants to be like everybody else’s kid. And that’s not what your story is going to be. Yeah, I know I shouldn’t be emotional. And we’ve been in this a long time, but not doing the best for my kid. And knowing the best you can do is, you know, pay for time, as much time as he can get, as much as he can move, as many things as he can possibly do. That’s what we buy into,” she said.

Research is important to help find a cure and come up with new medicines to treat MS. The goal of the walk is to raise more than $75,000.

Walk MS Jackson will be held on Saturday, April 12 at Smith Wills Stadium. Registration will begin at 8:00 a.m., and the walk will begin at 9:15 a.m. Click here to register.

WJTV 12 News’ Byron Brown will be the emcee for the event.