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Shawn Feliciano Garber is on a mission to spread awareness of multiple sclerosis, a disease that affects her and 400,000 other Americans, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

“I felt like my world had crashed at the moment,” says Feliciano Garber of the voicemail her doctor left with the news of her diagnosis in August of 2009.

“The Big Hike,” as she calls it, will take her, her husband Robert Garber, and other donors on an 817-mile hike across the state of Arizona. The hike is open to volunteers and donors who wish to join the cause and walk with the Garbers or simply donate to the cause.

“I want to accomplish something that few others have ever done,” she says on her website. “The Big Hike, as we call it, will achieve that goal, and help MS research in the process, by calling attention to the fact that people with MS can still lead practical and fulfilling lives.”

Feliciano Garber believes there is not enough emotional support and information available to patients diagnosed with MS. Namely, in the Latino community.

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“There is a variant that needs to be addressed when it comes to Latinos and multiple sclerosis,” explains Feliciano Garber, “there’s a lot of information that’s not really known.”

“The Big Hike” kicks off on September 11.

To donate or join the hike visit www.az817.org.