‘Bike MS’ in New Jersey Raises $4.4M to Support Patient Care, Advance Research

To support multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and caregivers — and cutting-edge research — the 2018 National Multiple Sclerosis Society for Bike MS: City to Shore Ride 2018 in New Jersey raised more than $4.4 million.

The event’s local presenting sponsor, supply chain solutions provider NFI, raised more than $61,000 with about 100 cyclists and volunteers, it was announced. The Cherry Hill, New Jersey-based company also provided logistical support, including transportation and warehousing.

Bike MS is the National MS Society (NMSS)’s fundraising cycling series, and is touted as the world’s largest fundraising bike series. Each year, nearly 75,000 cyclists and more than 6,000 teams ride to help people with MS, having raised more than $1.3 billion to date. Visit this link to find a ride near you.

The New Jersey event, held Sept. 29 and 30, included route options for all cycling abilities. Each of the roughly 7,000 participants rode between 25 and 180 miles, from the flat terrain and back roads of South Jersey to the blueberry fields of Hammonton.

While starting sites varied, depending upon the desired ride length, the end point for all was Ocean City, where participants were treated to a Finish Line party complete with food and live bands.

Some bikers rode in teams, others as individuals as young as 12. Some were MS patients. Bike rentals were a new offering this year.

Using the hashtags #BikeMS and #ShareYourJersey, bikers posted photos of themselves in their jerseys on social media.

Fundraising awards and incentives included T-shirts and PopSockets for cell phones. Before riding, each participant was required to have at least $300 in confirmed donations.

The fundraising goal for this year was $5 million. With 89 percent of donations logged, City to Shore has raised $4,430,684.79. The remittance deadline is Nov. 1.

Last year, with 673 teams participating, New Jersey’s event raised $4,691,179.43.

Next year’s New Jersey ride is scheduled for Sept. 21 and 22. Registration opens in January.

NFI has participated in the New Jersey event for 21 years. “NFI has been honored to participate in Bike MS: City to Shore over the past two decades,” Jeff Brown, NFI president and vice chairman, said in a news release.

“As the event’s local presenting sponsor, we are proud to support the 2.3 million people worldwide that are affected by MS, and contribute towards finding a cure. We are thankful for all of our drivers, warehouse employees, and support staff that have participated, and we look forward to many more years of partnership with the MS Society,” Brown added.

The NMSS is the world’s largest private funder of MS research, investing more than $1 billion to date.