900 Cyclists Raise Nearly $1.2M for Multiple Sclerosis in Quebec Fundraiser

More than 900 people biked through the Mauricie region of Quebec, Canada, late last month, raising money for the Quebec Division of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada (MSSC) and awareness for multiple sclerosis (MS) all-around.

The 27th Medavie Blue Cross MS Bike,  the largest cycling-related fundraising event in North America, was an outstanding success —  surpassing expectations and raising $1.18 million over its two days, Aug 27–28.

Money collected will help advance research in the field of MS, and services available to patients and their families through the MS Society of Canada. That’s particularly important, because Canada has from the highest rate of MS worldwide.

Since its inception, MS Bike has raised over $17 million for the society and its efforts. Every year, more than 10,000 cyclists participate in one of its events, held June to September across Canada.

This August, new cyclists and long-time participants pedaled together through the charismatic villages of the Mauricie region, sometimes riding along the St. Lawrence River and other times riding through wooded trials. All were riding their bikes toward the same objective and to fight the same cause.

Valérie Chevalier, the spokeswoman for this year’s event and a columnist with Salut, Bonjour!, cycled with her friend and team leader Christiane Thouin, an MS patient.

“MS Bike is an incredible event because everyone is riding in the same direction and for the same cause: to support MS research. Most of all, it’s a very joyful, wholesome sporting event because there’s no competition – there’s just the fun of riding with your pals. It’s a beautiful weekend spent surrounded by people who all have the same motivation: ending MS,” she said in a press release.

MS is a chronic and disabling disease of the central nervous system. The MSSC supports research into the cause, improved treatments, and a potential cure for MS, as well as providing essential services to patients and their families.

The Medavie Blue Cross MS Bike event was organized by MSSC in collaboration with Vélo Québec Événements.