http://www.pae.nmss.org/news/100401.htm

October 4, 2001

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society extends its deepest appreciation to the nearly 5500 cyclists and more than 1000 volunteers who made the MS 150 City to Shore Bike Tour, presented by Subaru and Commerce Bank on September 29-30, the most successful in the 21-year history of the event. The Greater Delaware Valley Chapter hopes to raise at least $2 million through the popular, long-time tour.

"Despite the recent tragedies in New York City and Washington, D.C., cyclists showed that they were still asking how they could help in all areas of community," says Judith G. Cohen, president of the Society’s Greater Delaware Valley Chapter.

Many cyclists and teams wore patriotic gear, T-shirts with huge American flags on the front, American flag stickers on their helmets or shirts of red, white and blue. Others looped red and white pom-poms into bike handlebars and baskets. "Our country has proven repeatedly that it is big enough, strong enough and generous enough to support more than one important cause at a time. We hope all who ride to help us meet our mission: to end the devastating effects of multiple sclerosis, know that MS, too, is an unpredictable and devastating battle," continues Cohen.

Each cyclist who participates in the MS 150 City to Shore Bike Tour must raise a minimum of $200 in donations, with many riders raising much more. These funds, which support services, programs and research for those with multiple sclerosis and their families, have been instrumental in the development of many new symptomatic therapies and new agents which actually change the course of the disease. The National MS Society supports more MS research than any other non-profit agency in the world, for a total of $290 million since its inception in 1946. For more information about MS, please call us at 800-548-4611 or visit our website.