For the past several years, Claudia and her husband have participated in the a fundraising bike ride for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. They get on their big orange tandem and put 100 miles under their wheels to help raise money to help find a cure for MS. As many of you know, my academic background is in immunology, and MS is a disease where the immune system attacks, inappropriately, the neurological system, resulting in a variety of unpleasant symptoms, including pain, paralysis, blindness and the ability of the MS sufferer to live the life they really want to live. I knew several people who were supported by grants from the MS Society and towards the end of my doctoral work, I was even involved in some research to better understand the disease and how it can be modulated.
Last year, Claudia's ride raised over $40,000 for the MS Society. That's a big number -- and it shows the power of what can happen when a bunch of us come together to help support a good cause. What, you might ask, can $40,000 buy? The MS Society is known for their wise shepherding of the funds that they raise, and they keep their overhead low. $40,000 is the NIH mandated base salary for a post-doctoral researcher for a year. And that means that $40,000 can go a long way towards supporting a trained researcher in pursuit of trying to understand some aspect of this disease.
I know this is a tough year for many people and that many of us don't have any or much extra discretionary income, but if you are in a position to participate, I hope you will consider giving Claudia and her team your support against this disease this year.
Last year, Claudia's ride raised over $40,000 for the MS Society. That's a big number -- and it shows the power of what can happen when a bunch of us come together to help support a good cause. What, you might ask, can $40,000 buy? The MS Society is known for their wise shepherding of the funds that they raise, and they keep their overhead low. $40,000 is the NIH mandated base salary for a post-doctoral researcher for a year. And that means that $40,000 can go a long way towards supporting a trained researcher in pursuit of trying to understand some aspect of this disease.
I know this is a tough year for many people and that many of us don't have any or much extra discretionary income, but if you are in a position to participate, I hope you will consider giving Claudia and her team your support against this disease this year.
Every donation helps! One of my friends was diagnosed just a few weeks ago after suffering for over a year. Better testing methods and treatments will go a long way to making life better for MS sufferers along the way to a cure!
A great cause - I've known several people with MS. But I have 2 nieces who have participated in this in the past & I generally support them. I'll contact them &, if they're not, I'll certainly support Claudia.
What a great post! Thanks!
Thanks Theresa!