• Blog Post

Cycling Inspiration Through the Community

Publish Date

07 JUL 2021

Author

Tim Golden

Vice President Business Excellence at EMD Serono

Overview

This week, as part of the EMD Serono Reason to Ride team, I will be participating in one of the largest fundraising cycling events in the world, Bike MS. Our team will join over 75,000 cyclists across the U.S. to help change the world for people affected by MS.

After being canceled last year due to the pandemic, I am thrilled that Bike MS is back on this year. The team and I are gearing up for July 10th when we will ride the 75-mile Cape Cod Getaway from Quincy to Buzzards Bay. As we know, the pandemic made it especially difficult for many non-profit patient advocacy groups to reach their 2020 fundraising goals. Hopefully this year’s ride will help turn things around and provide the much-needed support for impactful patient programs and resources. For me, the fight against MS is personal and Bike MS is just one small thing I can do to help make a difference. MS has – and continues – to impact the lives of too many people that are close to me; family, friends, and colleagues. MS is certainly personal to them as they battle against this terrible disease every day. Because of this, what we do at EMD Serono to support MS patients is so important on a professional level as well.


Having multiple sclerosis means that you may suddenly have blurry vision or that your memory could fail you for no apparent reason1. You may not always be able to walk, let alone ride a bike. It is estimated that nearly 1 million people are living with MS in the United States2 and the symptoms are different for everyone1. It is a unique privilege to contribute every day to making a difference in the lives of patients and their loved ones, and events such as Bike MS serve as a rewarding experience and a tangible way to support the community. And – ask anyone who’s done it — it’s a good time!

A few fun facts about our involvement in the ride:

  • 2021 will mark our 16th year supporting the Bike MS Cape Cod Getaway
  • The Reasons to Ride Team began in 2005 with 2 riders
  • We have grown and maintained a strong team over the years and have been one of the biggest supporters of this event. We have expanded to include not only employees from Rockland and Billerica but also from Burlington EMD Serono and MilliporeSigma groups. Many friends and family members have also been inspired to join our team.

The Bike MS Cape Cod Getaway is a great opportunity to support those living with MS, raise awareness and much needed funding for research and patient and caregiver services.

I remain committed to understanding the journey people living with MS face. The benefits of participating in the Cape Cod Getaway are manyfold. The phrase, “it’s a marathon and not a sprint,” comes to mind as I think about the path to making a difference for those living with MS. However, the impact of our efforts is amplified by joining forces with organizations with the same mission, and the camaraderie established through collaboration will no-doubt bring us to the finish line faster.

I encourage you to learn more about MS on our team page and invite you to support the cause.

 

(1) https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Symptoms-Diagnosis/MS-Symptoms
(2) https://www.nationalmssociety.org/understanding-ms/what-is-ms/who-gets-ms