Cyclists Seek UHCL Support for BP MS 150
ADRIANA CAPILLA-GARCIA
THE SIGNAL
UHCL students will soon join thousands of cyclists in the largest cycling fundraiser for multiple sclerosis research in the United States: BP MS 150.
BP MS 150 is a two-day fundraising cycling ride held by the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society: Lone Star. Wheels are scheduled to start rolling on the 180-mile course from Houston to Austin April 12 through 13, 2014.
The National MS Society defines multiple sclerosis as a chronic disease of the central nervous system (the brain, optic nerves and spinal cord) that is thought to be an autoimmune disorder. There is an estimated 2.5 million people affected by MS worldwide.
UHCL students Ashley Connelley, anthropology and sociology major, and Kellie Keener, women’s studies major, have already begun preparations for the ride, including submitting the paper work necessary for the creation of UHCL’s first cycling club. The club hopes to be recognized as an official student organization at the beginning of spring 2014.
“Our school doesn’t really have any teams yet,” Connelley said. “I think it’d be really cool to be one of the first teams that would be around for the freshmen and sophomores that will come in. It would be cool to actually be ‘team Hawks’ or ‘team UHCL’ to represent our school for a good cause.”
Participating in the SLICE Leadership Retreat held last month inspired Connelley and Keener to team up. Since the participants of BP MS 150 must pledge to raise at least $400 and pay a $100 registration fee, Connelley and Keener decided creating a cycling club would be the best way to raise the money and fuel their participation.
“We started talking about doing this with our friends from the leadership retreat as a group of people who are also interested in doing [MS 150],” Keener said. “I really like biking, and I have a lot of friends who have done [MS 150] before, too.”
Keener and Connelley have been busy making training preparations for the riders.
“We have to start off by just getting to know our bikes for a few weeks,” Keener said. “Then, we are going to need to do both strength and endurance. At some point, we are going to need to start going up bridges.”
Connelley said they also have plans to make a trip to Austin and get to know the terrain there. The training plan they are using has practice runs of 20 miles per day about three times a week, with a maximum practice ride of 100 miles before the event. BP MS 150 has raised more than $157 million for MS research, programs and services since its first ride in 1985.
“There is still no known cause of MS, and therefore there is no cure for the dis- ease,” said Gena Hyde, regional director of communications for the National MS
Society. “Although there is still no cure for MS, effective strategies are available to modify the disease course, treat exacerbations (also called attacks, relapses or flare-ups), manage symptoms, improve function and safety, and provide emotional support. In combination, these treatments enhance the quality of life for people living with MS.”
The cycling club currently has seven members and is also open to people who do not want to ride bicycles but would like to participate in other ways.
“We also need support staff, like people to drive with us, people to meet us half way and to meet us there,” Connelley said. “Also to help raise the money but not actually ride.” Sara Khalifa, coordinator of orientation and new student programs, is the staff adviser for the upcoming cycling club and has plans on participating in the ride as well.
“As a staff member, I wanted to get involved,” Khalifa said. “I thought this was a good opportunity to try something that I had never done. Personally, I wanted to be challenged and also participate with them, so I do plan on trying.”
Khalifa also has a personal tie and reason to help fight multiple sclerosis.
“I have a really close friend and her mother is suffering from [multiple sclerosis],” Khalifa said. “She will be part of our support team, hopefully. It is a great cause and a great initiative, and I am really excited that they are taking the lead on this. I’m really excited!”
Keener said the group will still participate in MS 150, even if there is no cycling club.
“If cycling club does not pass, we will just have to use our other club resources to help,” Keener said. “We’ll still participate in the ride.”
