May 08, 2012
Fountainville, PA – Fountainville resident, Ellen Reaves, will get on her bike this coming May 19thto cycle the New Jersey coastline to help to fund a cure for multiple sclerosis, a chronic disease of the central nervous system for which there is no cure. This year marks the 7thyear that Ellen has supported the National MS Society by participating in the Bike MS event. Ellen will cycle 50 miles, in of itself it is no easy feat, but to add to that she is also a person living with multiple sclerosis.
In 2003 Ellen began to experience some very sever headaches follow by diminished vision. At the time her life was very stressful, a new job which had her commuting 3 hours a day to work, a parent with Alzheimers and building a new home. At first she thought the stress of her life was the cause of her ailments but after a few day where she was unable see almost nothing out of her left eye she went to see her eye doctor. When her eyes checked out ok she was sent for an MRI and was quickly diagnosed eth multiple sclerosis.
For three days Ellen receive intravenous steroid treatments and her headaches and vision cleared up. “I immediately did some research and educated myself on everything there is to know about MS, says Ellen. The next summer she decided to get involved with the National MS Society by helping to raise funds and awareness by participating in Bike MS. Ellen rides with her cousin and good friend each year and hope to raise $1,000 for this year’s event. “I am blessed every day that I wake up feeling good. I have not had any episodes to date but continue to take better care of myself and get periodic MI exams to see if there are any new lesions on my brain. I have even found my purpose which is to help others who are going through the caregiving process.”
On Saturday and Sunday May 19, 2012 Ellen and her team will put the pedal to the meddle and coast the New Jersey coast to help create a world free of MS in the 2012 Bike MS “Coast the Coast” Ride. Her goal is to create MS awareness and raise funds to support critical programs and services and help fund a cure.
The New Jersey Metro Chapter’s “Coast the Cost” Bike MS ride will host over 2,000 participants and volunteers with a goal of raising $1 million as they pedal along the Jersey Shore. Participants are welcome to register individually, or join or create a team, and choose from one or two day ride lengths. For more information about Bike MS please contact: Mary Beth Maclearieat 800-344-4867 or visit http://bikenjm.nationalmssociety.org.
About Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis, an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system, interrupts the flow of information within the brain and between the brain and the body. Every hour in the United States, someone is newly diagnosed with the disease. 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 moving us closer to a world free of MS. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with more than twice as many women as men being diagnosed with the disease. MS affects more than 400,000 people in the U.S. and 2.1 million worldwide.
About the National MS Society
The National MS Society is a movement by and for people with MS. The Society funds cutting-edge research, drives change through advocacy, facilitates professional education and provides programs and services that help people with MS and their families to move their lives forward. MS stops people from moving. We exist to make sure it doesn’t.
Join the movement.
Find out more at nationalMSsociety.org/njm
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