24 of 50: Bike MS
A beautiful bike journey, an important cause, and an inspiring accomplishment – that’s Bike MS in a nutshell. Also known as MS 150, this annual fundraising event features a two-day cycling tour that takes riders through the picturesque terrain between Milwaukee and Madison, Wisconsin’s two largest cities.
Multiple sclerosis is a complicated disease that affects the central nervous system. In the U.S. alone, 400,000 suffer from some form of MS. Symptoms vary widely in duration and intensity but can include everything from severe fatigue and clinical depression to chronic pain, vision impairment, and adverse effects to basic motor functions like walking.
This year, MS 150 celebrates its 35th anniversary. The event is just one of many that the Wisconsin Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society conducts around the state to raise funding for ongoing MS research.
A powerful mission with impassioned supporters
For more than 10 years, M3 has supported this special bike tour with volunteers and financial support. Tom Golden, Executive Vice President of Corporate Services, has served as a National MS Society board member – and done the ride many times. “This is a great ride that so many people are passionate about supporting,” says Tom. “There are people that can no longer ride bikes, and they still come and show their support by riding recumbent bikes or tandem bikes. When you have a personal connection to something – my sister has MS – it becomes even easier to see how important it is to support the event’s mission.”
“When we started this event, there were no treatments for MS, and there are now over 17 on the market and many more in the pipeline. Because of events like MS 150, the face of MS has changed, and there is hope for all families confronting the challenges of the disease.
The support of M3 has been critical. It allows us to invest more resources to the mission. I also should include a big thank you to M3 for connecting us to many other corporate supporters from a variety of industries in Wisconsin.
Corporations like M3 contribute some of the most valuable gifts we receive and depend on, the time and talent of their greatest resource, their people.”
—Colleen G. Kalt, President, National Multiple Sclerosis Society