STOW, Mass. — Stow-based environmental attorney Mark Roberts was diagnosed with Rhombo Myeloneuropathy about four years ago. It’s an incredibly rare autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the nervous system from the brainstem down.

In the fall of 2017, Roberts, who is now 63 years old, went to Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) after experiencing shooting pains throughout his body that prevented him from walking. After spending 10 days at MGH and undergoing back surgery, Roberts was diagnosed with the debilitating disease.

“It had been a gradual progression and then all of a sudden, everything hit at once,” explained Roberts. Only 41 cases of Rhombo Myeloneuropathy have been identified by his doctor at the Mayo Clinic in the last 30 years.

But that hasn’t stopped Roberts, who was the first executive director of Greenpeace USA, from continuing to make a difference in a comparable role. He is now the executive director of the nonprofit 4Paws 4Wheels 4Hunger and about to begin “Mark and Mocha’s Roll/Stroll to Combat Hunger.” 

Joined by Mocha, his 6-year-old Australian labradoodle, and 10 of his friends, Roberts will walk from New York to Provincetown to raise awareness of food insecurity and raise money for worthy organizations.

“We are the second richest state in one of the richest countries,” said Roberts. “It just shouldn’t be that over 10 percent of our population doesn’t know where their food is coming from.”

The stroll kicks off at Home Range Winery in Canaan, New York, then crosses the border to Massachusetts, making stops in Lenox, Holyoke, Chicopee, Springfield, Worcester, Boston, and Provincetown. Roberts predicts the trip is going to take about seven weeks. His crew will be staying the night at friends’ houses, hotels and even at his home in Stow. 

As of Aug. 26, Roberts said he raised $18,000 through 4Paws 4Wheels 4Hunger, with the goal of raising $250,000 in total. The money raised will be donated to organizations largely dedicated to ending hunger including: The Greater Boston Food Bank, The Merrimack Valley Food Bank, Worcester County Food Bank, The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, and Save the Children. 

If you are interested in donating, please go to: 4Hunger.org.