Multiple sclerosis (MS) is no joke and as a matter of fact, some of us have family members and relatives here at our offices who are battling MS. For Boise sisters, Cat and Christina Ostrem, it was time to make a stand.

MS Run The US

We're proud to say that we're among the first to report the Ostrem sisters standing up to MS. Cat Ostrem sent us an email back in late February letting us know that she and her sister were going to take on a massive 188-mile run in Utah for MS Run the US. According to their site, MS Run the US raises awareness and funds to fight the autoimmune disease:

MS Run the US is dedicated to raising awareness and funds to support multiple sclerosis (MS) research, while also aiding those living with disability due to MS.

If you're unfamiliar, MS can trigger some pretty crummy symptoms and hinder those battling the disease from enjoying life. According to the National MS Society, those symptoms are:

  • Fatigue
  • Dysesthesia, also known as the "MS Hug" is a "squeezing sensation around the torso that feels like a blood pressure cuff when it tightens."
  • Difficulties walking
  • Numbness and tingling throughout the body
  • Stiffness and regular muscle spasms, especially in the legs
  • Weakness
  • Vision problems
  • Vertigo and dizziness
  • Pain and itching
  • Cognitive changes
  • Emotional changes including depression, mood swings, irritability, and episodes of uncontrollable laughter or crying

There are other less common symptoms including slurring of speech, swallowing problems, tremors, seizures, and a multitude of other challenges. It's unfortunate because as of now, there is no "cure", only medications to alleviate symptoms but even those meds can be detrimental to someone's health in the long term.

Cat and Christina Ostrem's Long Journey

Cat and Christina Ostrem teamed up with MS Run the US to do Segment 5 of this country-wide relay which totals 3,260 miles. Their portion of the relay took them from Nephi, Utah to Vernal, Utah which is right around 188 miles... in 7 days.

How did they do it? We had the chance to catch up with Cat Ostrem and ask her how she and her sister pulled it off...

How 2 Boise Sisters Ran 188 Miles In One Week

Sisters, Cat, and Christina Ostrem teamed up with MS Run the US to run a reported 188 miles in just 7 days to combat multiple sclerosis. We recently caught up with Cat to ask how she and her sister pulled it off.

Gallery Credit: Chris Cardenas

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