MS Bike to roll through Brockville later this month, locals encouraged to get involved
Cyclists from all over Canada are coming together once again for the 2024 MS Bike – Ottawa to Brockville, taking place over the weekend of Aug. 17 and 18.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disease that over 90,000 Canadians are currently living with. This year will mark the 35th anniversary of the MS Bike, which is the largest fundraising cycling series in North America, and the third year the cyclists are riding in Brockville.
Brockvilleist spoke with Dajana Dragicevic, manager of community fundraising for MS Canada, who is urging locals to get involved.
“When you participate in MS Bike, you’re not only taking meaningful action to support Canadians living with MS, you’re also helping more people become familiar with MS.”
This year’s ride will be taking place between the Kars Recreation Centre and St. Lawrence College in Brockville, with a few rest stops along the way. Dragicevic detailed, “Riders will cycle 180 km over two days, with the goal of raising funds to support people living with MS. This event is one of 12 MS Bike events happening over four months across Canada.”
The 2024 fundraising goal for MS Bike – Ottawa to Brockville is $350,000, with a collective fundraising goal for MS Bike in 2024 at $4 million. Dragicevic confirmed that as of Aug, 1, MS – Bike Ottawa to Brockville has raised over $195,000.
She explained that the funds raised from these events help connect people affected by MS to information and programs in whichever community they live in, as well as fund research looking into pathways to cures for MS.
With such a large task ahead, MS Canada is asking the community for volunteers to help out during the event weekend, specifically stationed at the start and finish lines, and at the rest stops along the route.
Dragicevic shared, “We believe that a world free of MS is achievable and volunteer support plays an important role in building on our work year after year and making it possible for us to continue funding research and programs that are key to improving the quality of life of people living with MS.”
To learn more about MS volunteer opportunities or to fill out an application form here.