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NEWS RELEASE
Gearing up in TandemFor Immediate Release
OTTAWA, ONTARIO – July 26, 2016 – Over 650 cyclists are expected to participate in the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society’s MS Bike from Ottawa to Cornwall on August 6 and 7.
Gearing up for his 27th ride is veteran MS Bike participant and top fundraiser Richard Jurewicz. Participating in every single ride since its inception in 1990, Richard has cumulatively raised over $128,000 for MS including $12,000 this year alone.
Richard bikes because his wife of 28 years, Teresa, lives with multiple sclerosis. Diagnosed in 1986 with relapsing-remitting MS, Teresa now relies on a power wheelchair for mobility. As such, she has not been on a bike in over 20 years, until late last year when they stumbled on a very innovative bicycle called the Duet Tandem Wheelchair Bike.
This bike is built for two, with a wheelchair at the front and a bike at the rear. It allows those who can’t maneuver a bike on their own, the ability to still enjoy the thrill of going for a bike ride.
“This bike has allowed us to do an outside activity together that we both enjoy. We have been able to participate in Sunday Bike Days this summer which has been a lot of fun. Teresa navigates and I take direction,” jokes Richard”.
Perhaps the biggest advantage of having this bike is, that for the first time, Teresa will be joining Richard for part of the MS Bike event on August 6 th. Their son Stefan will be meeting Richard with Teresa at the 70 km mark in Ingleside where he will be switching from his road bike to the tandem. The couple will then ride the last 30 kms together to the finish line at the NAV Centre in Cornwall. They will be met by their other two children Halla and Daniela who will be cheering them across the finish line with Stefan.
“It will be so amazing to have her with me on the tour this year”, Richard explains. “We are very excited, especially knowing how special it will feel to cross the finish line in Cornwall, together, for the very first time, with our all of our family with us”.
Ottawa Chapter/Section d’ Ottawa1826 Woodward Ottawa, Ontario K2C 0P7Telephone: (613) 728-1583Fax: (613) 728-0342www.mssociety.ca/ottawa
ABOUT MS BIKE: The MS Bike is now in its 27th year. With routes ranging between 80 and 215 kms, the Tour provides an opportunity for cyclists of all levels to have fun and raise funds in support of MS research and programs. Organizers this year have set a fundraising goal of $590,000. Funds raised support world class research into the cause and cure for MS and provide programs and services for individuals living with MS in our community. For more information, please visit www.msbike.ca.
ABOUT MS AND THE MS SOCIETY OF CANADA: Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, often disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord. It is the most common neurological disease of young adults in Canada. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 40, and the unpredictable effects of MS last for the rest of their lives. Canada has the highest rate of MS in the world with over 100,000 people affected. The MS Society provides services to people affected by MS and funds research to find the cause and cure for this disease.
For more information on the MS Bike Tour, go to www.msbike.ca or contact:Leanne Anderson, Director, Community DevelopmentMS Society of Canada, Ottawa ChapterTel: 613-728-1583 ext.3326 / Cell: [email protected]@icloud.com
Richard and Teresa Jurewicz
About Richard and Teresa Jurewicz - Richard has been cycling in the Tour for as long as it has been running, 27 years. Richard’s wife of over 28 years, Teresa was diagnosed with MS in 1986. Two years ago, Richard surpassed the fundraising milestone of raising over $100,000 for MS. His efforts since then will see his fundraising total of $128,000+. Richard and Teresa will be crossing the MS Bike finish line at NAV Centre in Cornwall sometime between 3 and 5 pm.