Meeting 2% of my $4242 fundraising goal in one week is unbelievable. I know for certain by the end of my bike ride I can meet my end goal of a dollar a mile. You have to understand a key point in this: once I chose to be a self-contained rider my expenses became my responsibility. Biking the US would cost me personally the same amount of money even if I was biking for MS. Biking the US for MS does not benefit my pocketbook.
If you are interested in donating towards the cause (100% of the donations go to benefit MS research/treatment and are tax deductible as our program is a 501c3 tax exempt organization) you can donate online through Google Checkout (look for the button that says "Donate in the Name of Era Keys"):
Donations can also be made using personal checks made out to "Bike the US for MS". Mention that you are donating in the name of Era Keys on the Notes Line. Mail to:
Bike the US for MS
PO Box 10001
Blacksburg, VA 24063
The top goal of this bike ride is to raise awareness about Multiple Sclerosis, a disease that many people do not even know exists. I chose to sit on a bike for 2-3 months riding over 4,242 miles to bring awareness to this disease. Along the way I also plan on doing several service projects that involve assisting people who have MS.
Here is some information about the specifics of the donations and what it goes towards:
Where do the dollars go?
Bike the US for MS is proud to be a 501c3 tax exempt non-profit organization (Tax ID# 27-2192426) that is growing exponentially. We are a very well managed non-profit with approximately 90 cents of every dollar spent directly on MS activities and a fight for the cure.
About MS:
- There is currently no cure for Multiple Sclerosis
- Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic, disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system.
- In the United States, there are approximately 400,000 people with MS - with 200 more people diagnosed every week. Worldwide, MS affects more then 2.5 million people.
Research & Treatment:
Since 2007 Bike the US for MS has raised more than $300,000 for research and treatment related to Multiple Sclerosis. To date, much of the fundraising has gone to benefit the James Q. Miller MS Clinic in Charlottesville, VA. There is no current cure for multiple sclerosis. Treatment typically focuses on strategies to treat attacks, to modify the course of the disease, and to treat symptoms. Important breakthroughs in MS medications over the years has directly benefited those fighting the disease and researched funded by Bike the US for MS makes this possible.
Patient & Community Service:
Bike the US for MS is committed to making the lives of those with MS better in every possible aspect. This involves many different types of patient services such as home modification projects funded across the United States, “home makeovers” done by the cyclists throughout the summer, and working with our affiliate Rake the US for MS to clean patient’s yards in the fall.
Package I received in the mail with my fundraising materials: T-shirt, stickers, keychain, business cards and a water bottle (not displayed).
