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Since 1993, Dr. Ted Higgins has participated in the Mid America Chapter's Bike MS event with a special mission in mind: finding a cure for MS for his friend and colleague, Dr. Dave Tomlinson, and the 400,000 Americans living with the disease. Dr. Tomlinson was forced into early retirement due to his battle with multiple sclerosis. Going through this struggle alongside his friend prompted Ted's increased support for the National MS Society. In 2007, it was calculated that in his 14 years of riding in Bike MS, Ted has raised more than $90,000 and contributed more than $80,000 of his own money.

Not only is Ted one of the top fundraisers for this Chapter's event he is also the team captain of the Research Rough Riders. He continually encourages fellow team members to set and reach high fundraising goals. To up the ante, Ted challenges his team by matching the funds he raises and his teammates' pledges dollar for dollar.

Ted annually waives his opportunity to collect prizes associated with his Bike MS fundraising because he wants all of the money raised to go to the National MS Society. But there is one perk he does take advantage of: as a National MS Society top fundraiser. Ted allocates the funds he raises for the sole purpose of research. Striving to find the cause and cure for MS, Ted established the Dave Tomlinson Research Fund in conjunction with the Mid America Chapter, which finances Dr. Roopa Bhat’s project at Stanford University.

But Ted doesn't stop at fundraising; he also educates. He hosts mission-centered parties at his home for members of the Research Rough Riders and donors to keep them informed about advances in MS research and support available through the Society. Ted also works to educate his community about MS and the need for a cure, hoping to inspire others to get involved with the National MS Society. In 2005, Ted began to educate outside of his community, by attending Missouri Advocacy Day at the State Capitol in Jefferson City. He met with legislators to discuss critical issues facing people with disabilities, in particular those with MS, and to inform the legislators of the need for increased Medicaid spending.

When not volunteering for the National MS Society, working as the chief of staff at the Research Medical Center in Kansas City, MO, and spending time with his wife and four children, Ted volunteers as a soccer coach for his daughter's youth soccer team and as a surgeon of record for the Kansas City Free Health Clinic. Ted is also serves as a board member for the Research Foundation, a non-profit charitable organization that secures philanthropic support to improve and enhance health for Kansas City.