Friday, September 19, 2008
More than 500 cyclists and volunteers are preparing for the annual Bike MS ride this weekend to raise money and awareness for multiple sclerosis.
Cyclists will ride on two of five routes on Sept. 20 and 21 to benefit multiple sclerosis patients. The event, which is sponsored by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, will begin at 7 a.m. Saturday at Washburn Rural Middle School in Topeka. Riders can select a 60-, 88- or 102-mile route on Saturday, and a 45- or 65-mile route on Sunday. The fundraising goal is $141,750, which will go toward national research, advocacy and local hospitals and clinics that deal with multiple sclerosis.
Kristine Druen (left) with Sara Riggs, will speak Saturday night at the Bike MS: Saturday Night Rally. This weekend, cyclists will ride to raise money for multiple sclerosis. The event, called Bike MS and sponsored by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, will begin at 7 a.m. Saturday at Washburn Rural Middle School in Topeka. The group hopes to raise $141,750.
Shauna Burrell-Allen, development coordinator of bike and walk events for the NMSS, said a lot could be done with the money raised.
“Our particular chapter helps over 25,000 people affected by multiple sclerosis,” Burrell-Allen said. “We try to help in every aspect of everyday life.”
Burrell-Allen said the money raised from the event would go to clients who needed financial assistance or who were on disability and needed help doing housework. They also sponsor events during major holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving.
Saturday the cyclists are scheduled to return to the race’s starting point at 5 p.m., where there will be an area for teams to set up tents and for vendors to provide food and T-shirts.
Sunday, the cyclists will return to the road from 7-11 a.m., when finish-line volunteers and multiple sclerosis patients will gather to welcome cyclists back with medals and cheers.
“I have seen a lot of patients talk to the riders and hand out medallions to the riders,” Burrell-Allen said. “And every year there’s more and more people, and they are just touched by what the riders are doing for them so much that it brings them back every year.”
Lisa Schmidt, multiple sclerosis study coordinator at KU Medical Center, said multiple sclerosis was a scary disease because it affected each person differently.
The KU Medical Center multiple sclerosis department has more than 2,500 patients with MS.
Donna Schlarman, administrative assistant with NMSS, said this year has been the biggest year for Bike MS volunteers in the event’s last 20 years. She said volunteers at rest stops provided riders with Gatorade, water and snacks.
Schlarman said that volunteers were also needed for registration, check-in, massages and meals. Schlarman said volunteers ran 20 rest stops during the two-day event.
“Our clients love this project,” Schlarman said. “It’s a way to stay in touch with people and makes them feel part of the event.”
Schlarman said a postcard program called “Champions Against MS” allowed patients to send messages and personalized bandanas for each cyclist to wear during the ride.
Volunteers and cyclists can sign up on the day of the event and are not required to ride for both days. The registration fee is $50 and a cyclist must pledge to raise $200.
— — Edited by Kelsey Hayes
Class project ‘meaningful,’ beneficial
Charity bowling event and beer pong tournament to highlight weekend fundraiser
Former student cycles for charity
Greg Krupa leaves this morning for a 520-mile bike ride to raise ...
Save the planet, save money — get ...
Students around in the summer are taking to cycling around campus. Here's ...
Student raises money, awareness for multiple sclerosis
Kelly Mesi supports Walk MS because it helps with MS research and ...
Building better communities, one bicycle ride at ...
Student prepares for community service bike ride.
Committee works to make bicycling safer in ...
Possible grant money will expand Lawrence bike lane network, increase safety for ...
Local bikers kick-start historic ride
Ride to begin June 23, focus on Civil War sites to raise ...
Tour of Lawrence shows strength of biking ...
Hundreds come out over the weekend to watch and compete in three-day ...
Geared for change
Subversive cyclists want a piece of the street and to change your ...
Student plans bike ride across country
Stephanie Meehan hopes her 3,500-mile jaunt will raise awareness about housing costs ...
Weekend bike tour for all ages
The Tour of Lawrence will offer family activities over the Fourth of ...
KU Cycling Club trains in the off-season
The KU Cycling Club doesn’t compete until spring, but they will keep ...
Coordinated buses carry more riders
More people are riding the T a year after its partnership with ...
Stop signs befuddle cyclists
Bike riders on campus find themselves getting ticketed for not obeying stop ...
Student competes in Tour of Lawrence bike ...
For Spencer Martin, cycling has gone from quick transportation to an everyday ...
Switching gears
Explore Lawrence bike trails
Riding for relief
Two friends are biking 3,500 miles to raise awareness for people who ...
Two students involved in bicycle accident
Two students were involved in a bicycle crash this morning.
Locals recognize cycling issues
Although residents say Lawrence is generally a safe place to cycle, there ...
A Two Wheeled World: The Life of ...
Local and professional riders explore the laws of gravity.
Campus police crack down on cyclists
Bike riders beware: KU Police is pulling campus cyclists over and ticketing ...
Biker smashes through back window of car
A student hit the back of a stopped car in front of ...
Hanson to play free concert
Band comes to campus to support cause.
Beakend: November 16, 2007
Check out what's happening this weekend around Lawrence.
Saddle Up
Lawrence is Kansas’ premier spot for two-wheeled, off-road adventures
Officers pass out bicycle kits to riders
In an effort to encourage students to be safe on their bikes ...
KU Dance Marathon increases participation
More than 400 students participated in KUDM, nearly double the amount from ...
Start Cycling Now! Or, In 30 Years
There's no late start in cycling, a sport you can perform with ...
Cyclists have same rights, responsibilites as other ...
Buses, bikes provide convenience
KU on Wheels system ferries thousands of Jayhawks to and from campus ...
Softball, 5K run aid breast cancer fund
The Jayhawk Pink Classic softball tournament already brought in $5,000, and the ...
Letter: Medical marijuana helps patients and the ...
Supporters of medical marijuana need to call their representatives.
BMX riders propose a local racing track
A new biking group, LARRI-BMX, seeks the city’s approval for a 1,500-foot ...
Students raise funds, awareness for St. Jude
The University of Kansas program Up ‘til Dawn gives students the opportunity ...
New policy in store for moped riders
Parking places and times to be regulated.
Run honors Teri Mathis Zenner, raises money ...
Student group raises money for local shelter
MSW graduate student members are serving tables at Jo Shmo’s and donating ...
Students cram into buses, leave no room ...
Free bus system has twice as many riders; causes delays, changes in ...
From left: Kimberlee Hinkle, Libby Johnson and Hannah ...
1 comment
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID