Herndon resident Shelly Davis already knew a lot about multiple sclerosis when she was diagnosed with it in August 2004 because her grandmother, who just celebrated her 85th birthday, has lived with MS for years.

Davis knew well that MS is a neurological disease that interrupts the flow of information from the brain to the body and can eventually stop people from moving.

But because Davis knew that not everyone was as well-informed about MS as she was, she decided to make it her life's mission to raise awareness. She began with her co-workers at Booz Allen Hamilton in Dulles.

I decided that I had MS and that was not something I was going to hide from, Davis said. It's funny because I was open about it immediately and everyone at my office was supportive, but then I bought some books on MS and chapter three in one book was about whether you should tell your co-workers or not. I was like, 'Oh well, a little late for that,' Davis recalls, laughing.

Immediately, Davis began recruiting friends, family and coworkers to establish a team for an annual Walk MS event. Participants collect pledges for the walk to fund vital research nationwide and local services for the more than 6,000 individuals with multiple sclerosis in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. In Fairfax County alone, more than 1,400 residents are living with MS.

This April, Shelly and her Booz Allen Hamilton team, which is currently still seeking members, will participate in their fourth walk.

"Our goal is to raise $20,000 and we are about a quarter of the way there," she said this week.

Last year, with a team of 30 people, her team raised nearly $15,000. Davis noted that Jimmy's Old Town Tavern in Herndon has been very helpful in letting her team hold raffles to raise funds every year.

"Shelly is extremely positive and extremely committed to finding a cure for MS," said Diane Metzger, communications coordinator for the National Capital Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. "She has gotten Booz Allen Hamilton involved, and she has come out to a Walk MS event every year since 2005 and she is just wonderful and inspirational."

"Shelly has done a phenomenal job," agreed Senior Event Manager Ashlee Droscher, also of the Capital chapter. "Shelly is one of those people that you instantly want to support in her efforts. She is very magnetic and not only does she lead a huge team for this event but she also is extremely dedicated to each one of our participants. Last year, it rained during our Reston walk but Shelly had the biggest, brightest smile on her face the entire time and she kept everyone's spirits up despite the horrible weather conditions."

"We are really, really hoping that it won't rain this year," Davis said.

Even if it does, you'll be able to identify her as she walks along Reston Parkway leading her team toward North Point Shopping Center. She will be the one holding an umbrella, with a huge smile on her face.