September 26th and 27th I’ll be riding to raise money to help find a cure for multiple sclerosis. I will be joining more than 2,000 other cyclists for the 2009 MS Bike Tour “BB&T Tour to Tanglewood” which will benefit the Central North Carolina Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. We will be riding a minimum of 90 hilly 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 2,300 cyclists raised more than $1.5 million on the New Bern Tour that Karen and I did. We 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 my behalf, you will support national research efforts to find the cause and cure for MS in addition to helping fund local programs for the thousands of people in Central North Carolina who live with and reach beyond the daily challenges of MS each day. In the past 20 years, significant progress has been made in the treatment of MS, particularly for those who are newly diagnosed. Last year I raised over $1200 to help this cause. Please help me match or exceed that amount this year. Any amount is appreciated. If you can help you can easily donate securely online using your credit card at the National MS Society website. Here is the link: Robbie’s Donation Page
Click the “Donate to Robbie” button on top of the fundraising thermometer and follow the instructions. I will be automatically informed via email of your donation. Thank you so much for your support and for your interest in multiple sclerosis!
Notes: Due to schedule conflicts I am unable to do the Bike MS New Bern Tour that Karen and I have done for the last two years and which directly benefits our community. Karen is hoping to do at least part of that tour. But I wanted to continue working for this cause and the Central Carolina Chapter helps many people close to us.
Why only 90 miles this year? (Last year we rode 175!) The Tour to Tanglewood is very hilly compared to New Bern. I will have 3 route options to add up to 55 additional miles on Saturday. I plan to add at least one additional route – we’ll see how it goes from there!