It has become a tradition in Steinbach to host an MS Walk each May. But this year that tradition ends.

Ilona Niemczyk is Director of Development for the Manitoba division of the MS Society. She says they have decided to reduce the number of walks in the province this year and unfortunately Steinbach did not make the list. Last year there were 11 walks in Manitoba, this year there were 7.

According to Niemczyk, this is a decision they don't take lightly. When trying to decide which communities to host walks, she says they try to gauge the support of the community, assess the history of the walk in that community, support from sponsors and how many teams sign up to fundraise.

They also look at funds raised year over year and Niemczyk says there has been a steady decline in Steinbach. In 2016, the Steinbach walk had 33 participants raising just over $4,800. That is down considerably from 2006 when there were 327 participants bringing in more than $72,000.

Niemczyk says there can be a number of reasons why support wanes over the years. Factors can include people impacted by MS moving out of the community and volunteers being kept busy by other commitments.

But Niemczyk says just because there wasn't a walk in 2017 in Steinbach, that certainly doesn't mean the door is permanently closed. In fact, she says it is something they can possibly revisit next year and work with the community to make something happen.

And, even though there wasn't a walk, Niemczyk says they will continue to have a presence in Steinbach this year in other ways. That includes running a monthly support group, hosting a barbecue in June and putting on an information session in fall.

With 100,000 Canadians living with MS, that is the highest rate of any country in the world. And, Manitoba has one of the highest rates in Canada, with about 3,500. Money that is raised from the MS Walk goes towards MS research as well as for programs and services.