National MS Society Gearing Up For Colorado Bike, Walk
DENVER (CBS4) - The Colorado–Wyoming chapter of the National MS Society is getting ready for its fundraising season, and you can too. Walk MS is coming up on May 5, and Bike MS is the weekend of June 24 & 25. Now is the time for you to sign up for an event, make the commitment to train, and begin that fundraising.
Carin Knickel is the Board Chair of the Colorado-Wyoming Chapter of the National MS Society.
"It's a tough disease because it manifests itself in individuals very differently, so, each person is different. It's hard to diagnose, it's hard to understand the severity and the progression of the disease," said Knickel.
She spoke on CBS4 about her mother's struggle with MS and how she's found inspiration from her mother throughout her life.
"I've often sat and thought, 'Gosh, what was it like for my mother to be diagnosed?' and this was many, many years ago. Back then there was no treatment for MS and so there was very little known about it. We lived in Wyoming and there weren't a lot of people that we even knew who had Multiple Sclerosis. And so it had to be pretty scary but she never showed that to us. It affected her through the paralysis of the left side of her body and eventually she was wheelchair-bound and couldn't do anything. But what she lacked in mobility she more than made up for in spunkiness! She was always signing up for the clinical trials in hopes of putting an end to MS because she wanted to be a part of the cure. She died about 13 years ago and she wasn't able to realize that dream but that's why my family and I have remained involved in the MS society. "
LINK: Colorado-Wyoming Chapter of the National MS Society
Ending multiple sclerosis for good is the goal of every event the organization hosts. The money raised through Walk MS, and Bike Ms goes to education, research, and resources for people and families living with MS.
Walk MS is really a giant celebration of the MS community. It's held in Denver's City Park. The routes are fully accessible and feature various distances so everyone can participate. Volunteers provide on-site support to make sure everyone has a good time. There is a 5K run, which kicks off a little earlier and costs $35 in registration fees. You can expect to see teams wearing specially made t-shirts, carrying banners, and hosting decorated tents.
LINK: Information & Registration for Walk MS
Bike MS is more of a challenge. This two-day bike ride kicks off at Front Range Community College in Broomfield. There are various routes; on Saturday, 45-miles, 66-miles, 79-miles, 100-miles and on Sunday, 71-miles, 78-miles. All the routes are fully supported by rest stops, SAG trucks, and volunteers. In Fort Collins, the society hosts a Team Village with food, drinks, and entertainment. Then Sunday, participants ride back to Broomfield. Riders have to be a minimum of 12-years-old, and raise a minimum of $400. Teams and individual riders are already training and raising money for Bike MS.
