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Iron Maidens Rained Out; But Not Soaked

August 23, 2011

Rock Cats Beer Tasting Benefit Rescheduled

NEW BRITAIN, Conn., - The Iron Maidens MS Motorcycle Ride team and the New Britain Rock Cats are teaming up to host the first-ever Iron Maidens Beer Tasting to benefit the fight against multiple sclerosis. The tasting, which includes a variety of brews and an all-you-can-eat buffet, was originally to be held Tuesday, Aug. 9. However, due to rain, the tasting was postponed. The beer tasting is rescheduled for Friday, Sept. 2. The Rock Cats will play against the Trenton Thunder, a New York Yankees affiliate.

“A thunderstorm isn’t going to keep us from our special date with the Rock Cats; we are thrilled to be able to reschedule for what is sure to be a fun-filled evening,” said Karen Butler, who lives in Manchester and who captains the Iron Maidens team. “The Iron Maidens team is on a quest to raise at least $15,000 this year. To date we have raised more than $13,500 toward our goal. With the generous support of the Rock Cats and this beer tasting, we are sure to close in on $15,000.”

The Iron Maidens team was established in 2007 when Karen Butler, who works for the National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter, joined forces with her best friend, Susan Petruzzi, West Hartford, and the pair united their passion for motorcycle riding with a quest to help support the fight against MS, a disease which Butler’s grandmother battled.

Iron Maidens
Pictured from left to right: Sue Petruzzi, West Hartford, and Karen Butler, Manchester, jubilantly lead the Iron Maidens team Sunday, July 24, at the start of the 2011 MS Motorcycle, held at Outback Steakhouse in Southington. The team, which was established by the pair in 2007, raised about $3,500 to support MS that first year. Since that time, the team has grown to include 10 women and a several men, who over the years have raised more than $37,000 to support the fight against multiple sclerosis. Other team members pictured include: Mark Petruzzi, West Hartford; Dan and Kim Mancuso, Newington; Jay Nelson, Raleigh, N.C.; and Diane Freer, Farmington

This year, the team, 10 strong, went behind bars and took to social media networking sites to help raise awareness and funds.

“The 2011 Iron Maidens Behind Bars fundraising campaign launched Jan. 1,” said Butler. “ Our website features mug shots, playful biker nicknames and individual rap-sheets explaining how each woman’s overzealous efforts to find a cure landed her in the virtual slammer. Photographs and rap sheets are circulated on Facebook and Twitter and on print marketing materials. Supporters have the opportunity to help bail out their favorite Iron Maidens offender.”

The 2011 Iron Maidens Beer Tasting is made possible through the Rock Cats Foundation. The tasting takes place Friday, Sept. 2, at 6:05 p.m. Tickets include beer tasting, buffet and general admission to the game. Tickets are $20 per person. Fifty percent of ticket sales benefit the Iron Maidens fundraising team and the other 50 percent benefits the Rock Cats Foundation.

Reservations are required and can by made by calling 860-224-8383. For more information, contact Karen E. Butler at karen.butler@nmss.org or call 860-913-2550.

Iron Maidens fundraising ends Sept. 23. For additional information on the Iron Maidens fundraising team or to donate, visit www.ironmaidensfightMS.com. The Iron Maidens can also be found on Facebook and Twitter. For more information on the New Britain Rock Cats, visit www.rockcats.com.

About the Connecticut-Rhode Island Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society

The Connecticut Chapter strives to provide knowledge and assistance to help people with MS and their families maintain the highest possible quality of life. These goals are achieved through vital national and local programs.

About Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted, but advances in research and treatment are leading to better understanding and moving us closer to a world free of MS. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with at least two to three times more women than men being diagnosed with the disease. MS affects more than 2.3 million people worldwide.

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