Thousands made their way through Lower Manhattan Sunday to help find a cure for Multiple Sclerosis.

Walk MS stepped off at Pier 26 this morning and continued along the Hudson River for two miles.

The city is just one of many sites in the tri-state area this week where walkers are coming together to try to raise more than $2 million for research.

A spokeswoman for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society says the funds contribute to various needs, including a program to help newly diagnosed patients.

"The money really goes to research really to find a cure for the disease but treatment options for people as well," said spokesperson Liz Samurovich.

"I've had M.S. for over 25 years and I'm surviving it, taking my meds, doing the right thing," one participant said.

"As a former Radio City rockette and then I thought that my life was over because that's my passion and that's what I love to do. And then I realized there are so many more options now and that's why I'm here walking for a cure. So that we have more and more medications to help us continue with active lives," said participant Michelle Tolson.

The inflammatory, auto-immune disease affects about 12,000 people living in and around the city.

Experts say most patients affected by MS are women, between the ages of 20 and 50.