Aug 25, 2009
A Grandfather’s Fight Against MS Inspires UConn Student
Sean O'Leary, Communications Specialist
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
A Grandfather’s Fight Against MS Inspires UConn Student
STORRS, Conn. – For Michael Wenning’s entire life, his grandfather has courageously battled the constant onslaught of multiple sclerosis.
“There are so many people out there that don’t understand multiple sclerosis and how it affects someone,” said Wenning, a student at the University of Connecticut. “My grandfather has been living with MS now for almost 40 years and it hasn’t been easy on him.”
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| University of Connecticut student Michael Wenning, left, poses with his grandfather, Felix Rougeau, of Springfield, Mass. Wenning will ride in the Bike MS: Cardio Express Ride, Presented by Mohegan Sun, on Saturday, Sept. 26, and Sunday, Sept. 27, to honor Rougeau, who was diagnosed with MS in 1969. “Everything I do for MS is because of my grandfather,” Wenning said. |
Wenning’s grandfather, Felix Rougeau, of Springfield, Mass., was formally diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1969. Wenning, who grew up in Longmeadow, Mass. before attending UConn, visits his grandfather regularly but there are many times when his grandfather is too tired or worn out to do much.
“He has to nap a lot now because his energy is low,” shared Wenning. “Because of what my grandfather has gone through, my entire family has always tried to get involved and work on raising awareness and funds for the cause.”
For a second consecutive year, Wenning and his father will be traversing the Connecticut shoreline as part of the National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter’s two-day Bike MS: Cardio Express Ride 2009, presented by Mohegan Sun. The ride begins at Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison Saturday, Sept. 26 and ends there the next day, Sunday, Sept. 27. Riders stay overnight at Camp Hazen in Chester.
Wenning’s introduction to the Bike MS event came last year when he was working at the Shallowbrook Equestrian Center in Somers and he met Kiara Longo, who works for Cardio Express. In 2008, the Cardio Express fundraising team, captained by the company’s owner Peter Rusconi, raised $40,109.
“I met Kiara and some of the other people that work at Cardio Express, who also told me about the ride,” Wenning explained. “My dad and I have been cycling for a while so it seemed like an absolutely perfect way to get involved.”
Wenning described his initial Bike MS experience as a “great time” and it inspired him to create his own event. In May, Wenning helped organized a fundraiser that coincided with the opening day of polo matches at the Shallowbrook Equestrian Center, which raised $1,240 for the chapter.
“That was a wonderful opportunity to do something for my grandfather and that’s why I’ll be back for this year’s Bike MS,” Wenning said. “Everything I do for MS is because of my grandfather.”
As long as Wenning can remember, his grandfather has battled the associated ailments of multiple sclerosis and it left a deep impression on him.
“When I young, it was hard to see my grandfather in pain or having to suffer,” he said. “The past few years, I’ve really tried to do more and I mean even more than just presenting a check. It means a lot to me to let people know about the disease and make them aware of how we can get closer to finding a cure.”
The two-day bike MS: Cardio Express Ride 2009, Presented by Mohegan Sun will start at Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison Saturday, Sept. 26. The overnight stay at Camp Hazen in Chester will include meals, games, a beer tasting and other evening programs.
Cyclists have a choice of completing a 25-, 50- or 75-mile route each day. Routes wind through southeastern Connecticut’s breathtaking shoreline and countryside. At the finish line, cyclists will be welcomed by a beach party and a clambake.
Over the past 14 years, more than 2,000 cyclists have pedaled more than 200,000 miles to raise roughly $1 million to support local chapter programs and services and scientific research to find a cure for multiple sclerosis.
To register for bike MS: Cardio Express Ride, Presented by Mohegan Sun, please visit www.bikeMSconnecticut.org or call 860-913-2550. The registration fee is $80. All meals and the overnight stay are included in the registration fee.
For more information or to volunteer please contact Jessica Tedford at 860-913-2550, ext 227, or jtedford@ctfightsMS.org.
8/25/09
Sean O'Leary
Communications Specialist
National MS Society - Connecticut Chapter
659 Tower Avenue, First Floor
Hartford, CT 06112
tel 860.913.2550, ext. 249
soleary@ctfightsMS.org
www.ctfightsMS.org