Photo credit: Patricia Wilson

By Laurice Gomes

MS Fundraiser

Fraser Valley MS cyclists go the distance for annual fundraiser

Jun 27, 2022 | 6:00 PM

CHILLIWACK — After a three-year hiatus, the Fraser Valley MS Bike fundraiser hit the pedal to the metal on July 18 and 19.

Kyla Arsenault, senior director of community fundraising for the MS Society of Canada, said raising awareness and funds for those affected by MS is very important to the organization.

“The MS Bike is a testament to the resilience of the MS community, who have faced tremendous uncertainty, on top of an already uncertain disease, throughout this pandemic,” Arsenault said. “Regardless of where or how they cycle, MS Bike participants are taking collective action to diminish that uncertainty and move us closer to a world free of MS.”

One such MS Bike participant was Patricia Wilson.

Wilson has served the MS Society of Canada in many capacities, including as an ambassador, MS walk organizer, and other volunteer roles.

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“This is a cause that is near and dear to my heart, as we have family members dealing with this diagnosis,” she said.

Wilson said this past weekend was “special” considering MS Bike events were on hold during the pandemic.

“Everyone was in good spirits, excited to gather, see each other, and have lots of fun together,” she remarked. “There was a huge number of amazing volunteers who helped register us, feed us, organize us, cheered us on, and kept us going in the right direction.”

Marilyn Lenzen was diagnosed with MS over 20 years ago and recalls a time when treatment options were limited.

“The injections I took daily or weekly, helped me very little to stop my relapses and progression,” Lenzen said. “Fast forward to the new treatment that I now get two times per year—I am stronger.”

Both Wilson and Lenzen are part of the Easy Riders team for the MS Society of Canada.

“My team, the Easy Riders, adopted me when I was riding this event solo for the first time eight years ago,” Lenzen explained. “Not only did they encourage me to finish the event in my first year, but they have also continued to support me on and off the bike.”

Wilson shared a similar sentiment, in which she said the team proudly crossed the finish line with cheers, high fives, and lots of encouragement.

That momentum paid off for the team, literally.

“Our Easy Rider team raised over $26,000 this year and over $236,000 in the years we have been at it,” Wilson said. “So next year we look forward to getting this total to $25,000.”

This year’s Fraser Valley event raised over $114,000 and counting.