This year marks our 21st Bike MS ride to honor our former club member, Eric Obye, and other friends and family who continue to live with Multiple Sclerosis. Donations to this fundraiser directly go to the important research and advocacy organization, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Last year’s Bike MS ride was cancelled because of COVID-19, but we still rode 150 miles through Pittsburgh’s not-so-virtual July heat, humidity, and COVID protocols to raise over $8,000.
Luckily, this year we will be in-person at State College on July 17th with all the other riders and volunteers. However, the official ride has been reduced to one day and the numbers of participants and donations are much lower than pre-pandemic.
Jill
“I ride because MS slowly takes away a person’s joy of movement and freedom. Everyone deserves to ride their bike outside with their friends, to play with their kids, to navigate this world in the best way possible. I’m here to help the MS Society find a cure and improve the quality of life for every patient.”
Our Bike MS Goal
Our local MS chapter has a goal of 150 cyclists and $275,000 in fundraising. As of today, there are only 105 riders and just under $125,000. That’s $150,000 short of an achievable goal. Our club has already met its initial $5,000 goal, but now we want to break $10,000!
Marit
You can help us succeed in bringing both our goal and our MS Society chapter’s goal back up! Please donate to our team, Rocky’s Riders, in any amount. The MS Society is known as a model organization that puts its donations directly into research to find a cure, and to support patients living with MS.
Rocky
“I enjoy cycling, and riding to raise money to fight MS enables me to put this ability to good use for a worthy cause.”
Why Donate: the MS Navigator Program
The national MS Navigator program is possible because of your donation. The Navigator staff work one-on-one with patients to help them navigate their journey living with MS. These advocates work with patients to understand the complicated medical system, find doctors who understand their MS, lend emotional support, and be a trusted advocate so the patient will never be alone.
Locally, the Navigators helped 1,888 Pennsylvania MS patients in 2020. They were also able to award $225,064 in direct financial assistance! This is how donations help our friends and strangers living with MS.
In addition to the Navigators, here are other ways that your donation directly improves the lives of people with MS:
Provides up to six months in-person counseling services to someone living with MS
Supports the training and development of volunteer District Activist Leaders, who establish key partnerships with elected officials
Provides an air conditioner to someone who needs help managing their symptoms when it’s hot
Tony
Locally, the Navigators helped 1,888 Pennsylvania MS patients in 2020. They were also able to award $225,064 in direct financial assistance! This is how donations help our friends and strangers living with MS.
Don