Chelmsford woman will ride to end MS

On June 29 and 30, Erin Hennessey, of Chelmsford, will join more than 2,200 people riding 150 miles by bicycle from UMass Boston to Provincetown during the 29th annual Bike MS: Cape Cod Getaway, presented by EMD Serono & Pfizer.

Hennessey is one of a select group of about 50 riders who have MS. Diagnosed in 2011, she chose to ride and to raise funds to fuel cutting-edge research and treatments to stop progression, restore function, and end MS forever. This is her second Cape Cod Getaway.

A member of the Peps Peddlers team, Hennessey is participating in the I Ride with MS campaign, sponsored by Genzyme, a Sanofi Company, which is committed to supporting the MS community through its MS One to One (www.msonetoone.com) program. She will wear a special cycling jersey during the ride that says, "I Ride with MS," which provides greater visibility for riders living with MS to everyone else on the ride. By personalizing the disease, all cyclists are more strongly connected to the movement, inspiring and empowering them to pedal a bit harder along their journeys.

Organized by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Bike MS (www.bikeMS.org) consists of 100 cycling events across the country that aim to raise money for MS research and other services supported by the society. Riders in the Cape Cod Getaway agree to raise a minimum of $500. Registration is online at http://www.bikeMSgne.org, in-person Friday, June 28, from 4-9 p.m., at the Boston Marriott Quincy, 1000 Marriott Drive, or at the start on Saturday before 7 a.m. Donations for riders are accepted online at bikeMSgne.org, click Donate/ePledge and enter the riders name.

"MS isnt going to stop me from doing what I love to do" said Hennessey, an IT executive administrator, "Ive always been athletic, before and after I got MS."

Hennessey also participates in the societys annual Fashion Plates luncheon and fashion show in November in Boston, featuring real women with real stories walking the runway to make a statement against MS.

Bike MS: Cape Cod Getaway is made possible by presenting sponsor EMD Serono & Pfizer, and by supporting sponsors Data Associates, PowerBar, Premier Education Group, South Shore Music Circus, FitWerx, Wachusett Brewing Company, EMD Millipore, Sport Memories, Naked Juice, MS One to One, Genzyme, and Republic Services. Bike MS riders enjoy excellent roadside service provided by Landrys Bicycles, Wheelworks, Back Bay Bicycles, and Urban Adventours.

The National MS Society helps each person address the challenges of living with MS through vital MS education, support, advocacy, and services, and through cutting edge research aimed at stopping progression of the disease, restoring all function lost to multiple sclerosis, and ending MS for all future generations.

Early and ongoing treatment with an FDA-approved therapy can make a difference for people with multiple sclerosis. Learn about your options by talking to your health care professional and contacting the National MS Society at http://www.MSnewengland.org, or 1-800-344-4867.

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Chelmsford woman will ride to end MS