For the eighth consecutive year, residents of Winkler had the chance to eat for a good cause on Thursday, helping raise nearly $2,000 during A&W's Burgers to Beat MS initiative.

A&W restaurants across Canada teamed up yesterday to raise funds for the MS Society of Canada. At yesterday's all-day event two dollars from every teen burger sold will go toward the cause.

Restaurant owner Steve Hollins said he thinks it is important to support multiple sclerosis research and raise awareness because Canada has the highest MS rate in the world.

"More than one in 340 Canadians has MS ... It’s a disease that there is no cure for. Many great ideas are coming out [of research] but we have to find the right cure as soon as possible so people can get some relief from this disease," said Hollins.

He added that even though the event is over, people can still donate, and every contribution counts.

"The most important thing for people to remember is that you can make a difference ... 16 cents will help. If every person that comes by donates 16 cents, eventually that's $1.6-million across the country. Every penny helps," he said.

According to the MS Society of Canada, the disease is most often diagnosed in people ages 15 to 40; however, people on the other sides of that range can be affected too. MS can cause symptoms such as fatigue, lack of coordination, weakness, and vision loss.

The preliminary total for money raised in Winkler Thursday is $1,800.