Despite the wind and weather conditions this weekend, the 15th Annual MS Bike Airdrie to Olds had cyclists braving the wind to raise money and awareness for multiple sclerosis.

Canada sees one of the world's highest rates of multiple sclerosis per capita, with an average estimation of one of every 385 Canadians currently living with the disease. There is currently no cure for the disease The MS Bike raises as much money and awareness as possible to advance the research.

Paula Miller, Fund Development Manager for the MS Society, described exactly what the bikers faced this weekend

"People are going to biking along secondary highways for 87 kilometres all the way up to Olds. They have a fully supported ride. We supply them with food, rest-stops, bathrooms, supplies, support, Gatorade and safety vehicles and everything."

Miller said the multiple sclerosis is a debilitating disease.

"It's an invisible disease and it can affect people in completely different ways because it's the central nervous system so it can be anything from symptoms of fatigue, which is seen in most MS patients, to lost feeling in fingers and toes and numbness. A lot of pain and struggle to deal with."

With the weather the way it was, Miller said that bikers faced a difficult task, but one they were more than ready for.

"This group of cyclists is extremely tough. Many of them have done this before. They take on the challenge and they've done such an incredible job. Friday night, we actually hit $700,000 in fundraising which is 114% of what our goal was. I feel so proud of all of them."

The original goal for the group was $618,000. The two-day bike ride started on Saturday and ended yesterday.

For more information on multiple sclerosis and the research for a cure, visit here.

 

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