By Matt Quan
BOSTON -- Riding her Trek mountain bike, Erin lee of Cambridge sets off towards Walden Pond some 12 miles away with a group of friends. Her backpack has been meticulously filled with reading material, extra clothing, a camera and food to sustain her. She bikes down Massachusetts Avenue on a mission to have fun and get some more road time under her belt. This day has been deemed a "training day" by her so she can get ready for the MS: Ride the Vineyard benefit bike ride that she will be doing in May.
Lee is just one of many riders from across New England who are participating in the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's Ride the Vineyard Event at Martha's Vineyard this year. Their hope is to bring awareness to those affected by multiple sclerosis and to raise money to help those in the MS community.
"I think fundraisers like these are great because they allow people who have no connection to a particular need to be part of making a difference," said Lee. "I figure I'll also be able to learn a bit about something new during this whole process."
The MS ride consists of three different routes a rider can choose on the day of the event. Distances range from 25 kilometers to 100 kilometers and take participants on a tour around different sights at Martha's Vineyard. The event is fully supported by event-staff that run rest stops and ensure rider-safety.
Participants are asked to raise a minimum of $250 in order to ride and all the proceeds go to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Boys and Girls Club in Martha's Vineyard.
"We're hoping that the economy will bring out the good in people and that they'll still continue to want to help out, although money is tight," said Liz Strawn, senior development manager at the MS Society's central New England chapter.
There will be over 700 people riding through Martha's Vineyard this year participating in the event. Despite the ailing economy, Strawn said registrations for the ride are up 5-10 percent.
"The more people we can get on the island participating in this ride, the more awareness we're going to create, the more funds we're going raise and the better time we're going have," said Strawn.
Strawn is proud to say that 85 cents to ever dollar that gets donated to the MS Society goes directly to ending the effects of multiple sclerosis. The New England chapter alone serves 14 thousand people between Mass. and New Hampshire said Strawn.
"Hearing the stories of those actually influenced by the things you're fighting against is truly humbling and brings perspective to your own life at these events," said Lee.
Stories like that of Carol Wippold who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis 32 years ago. Wippold has both received help from the MS Society as well as worked for them in the past.
"It was always kinda scary. That's one of the most difficult things about MS, the scariness of it," said Wippold. "Not knowing from one day to the next. 'Am I going to fall over when I get out of bed or am I going to be able to walk, what is it going to be like?'"
There are approximately 400 thousand people with multiple sclerosis in the U.S. MS is a neurological disease that disrupts the central nervous system causing loss of bodily function of the individual. Scientists are unsure what causes it and there are only treatments to delay its severity and progression.
"Our former chairman of the board used to say 'It's a terrible way to meet great people,'" said Strawn. "We're fighting this terrible disease, but you have the opportunity to meet the greatest people on the earth through that."
The MS ride not only benefits the MS Society said Strawn, it also helps the youth community of the island live a better quality of life at Martha's Vineyard.
"Everyone thinks that the Vineyard is celebrities and rich people," said Peter Lambos, executive director of the Martha's Vineyard Boys & Girls Club. "Really, the heart of the Vineyard is the working class. We do reap the benefits of the a very busy tourist summer season, but that is only really 3 months long and there is another 9 months of the year when jobs go away."
Lambos grew up using the services of the Boys & Girls Club and says their biggest need at the Vineyard is affordable child-care so parents can work. Since he became the director or the club, he's been helping organize logistics for the MS ride for the last two years.
"The MS ride is the largest single event fundraiser we do all year," said Lambos. "I'm always amazed at how many people come out to support the ride. It really shows how much they're into the cause."
Jennifer Lee from Cambridge, another participant in the MS ride, said that she can't claim that her motives are completely altruistic.
"Apart from my selfish reasons (to have fun), I'm thankful for friends who encourage me to participate in activities like this because I learn about things like MS and it reminds me of the blessings of having good health and to not take it for granted, which I often do," said Lee. "It's a pretty amazing privilege to be a part of such causes and communities"
By the time Erin Lee returns home from her 24-mile bike ride to Walden Pond the skies have become a little dark and raindrops are beginning to fall. However, this doesn't hamper her spirits and she says with a smile, "That was so much fun!"
She's part of a community that has a biking goal now. Whether if it's to connect with someone different from themselves, have some fun while fundraising for a good cause or helping a friend with the disease, they're all riding to help someone else during these challenging economic times.
"You just have to get people talking to begin a slow change in how they see things," says Lee.
(Interactive googlemap by matt quan)
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