Cyclist rides for cure

By Teri Reed
POST-REGISTER

The Lone Star Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society is on a steadfast track organizing the BP MS 150 Bike Tour, a two-day fundraising ride scheduled on April 16-17.
The 180-mile trek will start in Houston and travel to Austin stopping at the Capitol.
With more than 12,000 riders in 2004, the bike tour raised al

most $9 million to help 14,000 Texans and their families who are coping with multiple sclerosis (MS).
After suffering from a heart attack almost three years ago, local cyclist Rollie Morgan will participate in the tour for the first time.
“I feel lucky after having a heart attack, and see life in a different light,” Morgan said. “I think I am fortunate to help out other people with this fundraiser.”
Morgan has been riding his bike for the past two years in different bike tours, but the BP MS 150 is by far the longest.
“Last weekend I rode in two different bike tours over two days to get a feel for what the MS 150 would be like,” Morgan said.
Riding between 300-500 miles a month, Morgan”s favorite routes are over to Kingsbury through Staples and towards McMahan, Dale and Rockne.
Morgan has currently raised nearly $3,000 for finding a cure for MS, the unpredictable disease that affects the central nervous system.
MS usually occurs in patients between the ages of 20 and 50. The disease affects the brain and spinal cord, giving people partial or complete loss of mobility or vision.
The BP MS 150 Bike Tour is the largest MS 150 in North America, with riders varying in age from 10 to 70.
Out of every dollar earned by the cyclist, 83 cents will go towards research programs to find a cure for MS.
The Lone Star Chapter has proven to be successful in the past with the BP MS 150 fundraiser. The first optic neuritis clinic in the United States, located at the University of Houston, was opened with help of their contributions.
For more information on the bike tour or to donate money for the fundraiser, call Rollie Morgan at 512-376-8845 or visit www.MS150.org.
terireed@post-register.com