Karen and I are doing the MS Bike Tour next month to raise money to help find a cure for multiple sclerosis. On September 13th and 14th, we will join more than 2,000 cyclists for the 20th Annual MS Bike Tour in New Bern, North Carolina. We will be riding 175 miles over 2 days to help end the devastating effects of multiple sclerosis, a chronic, often-disabling disease of the central nervous system that strikes people in the prime of life. Last year approximately 1,800 cyclists raised more than $1.4 million in Eastern North Carolina alone, moving us closer than ever toward a cure for MS. We hope to surpass last year’s total and have set $1.6 million as our fundraising goal for 2008. Karen and I have both lost friends to this disease and each of us knows several people who are currently living with MS. As we have contacted people in our fund raising efforts we have discovered that almost everyone we have talked to either has friends or relatives with MS. We are asking for your help in this challenge. By making a pledge on our behalf, you will support national research efforts to find the cause and cure for MS in addition to helping fund local programs for more then 4,300 people in Eastern North Carolina who live with and reach beyond the daily challenges of MS each day. In the past 18 years, significant progress has been made in the treatment of MS, particularly for those who are newly diagnosed. Last year Karen and I raised over $3000 between us. Our goal this year is to raise $2000 each. Please help us reach our goal. Any amount is appreciated. If you can help you may donate in one of the following ways:

1.) Checks in any amount made out to National Multiple Sclerosis Society can be hand delivered to us or sent to us at 2512 Mt. Sinai Rd., Chapel Hill, NC 27514. DO NOT make checks payable to us!!! You may support either one of us or both (that would require 2 checks, sorry). We have to submit all checks no later than October 6th but we'd love to be able to turn them in the first day of the ride on Sept. 13th.

2.) You can easily donate securely online using your credit card at the National MS Society website. Here are the links:

Karen's ride page

Robbie's ride page

Click the "Donate to Robbie" or the "Donate to Karen" button on top of the fundraising thermometer and follow the instructions. We will be automatically informed via email of your donation. Sixty percent of your donation goes toward programs, services, and advocacy for the 4,300 people living with MS right here in Eastern North Carolina. The rest of your donation supports national research to find the cause and cure of MS. Thank you so much for your support.

Click here for my report on the ride from last year.

Consider joining a ride yourself! It's a great event and there are over 100 of them across the country. Just go to the National MS Society website to find a ride near you.