Since being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 1998, MS Bike ambassador Jennifer Carr-Zingle has been committed to improving the lives of Canadians living with the disease.
Since 2001, the Delta woman taken part in numerous MS Bike challenges for the MS Society of Canada – BC & Yukon Division, including annual rides through Vancouver, the Fraser Valley and the West Kootenays.
Typically, the MS Society of Canada and the MS community come together each summer to hold MS Bike events across the country to strive towards the vision of a world free of MS. In a year that has presented a series of unique challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic and in accordance with the measures implemented by Canada’s health experts, this year’s MS Bike rides will look slightly different than year’s previous.
Today and tomorrow, thousands of MS community members across Canada will take part in the Virtual MS Bike Challenge to raise funds, create awareness and support leading-edge research for Canadians affected by MS and their families.
As part of her own Virtual MS Bike initiative, Carr-Zingle will take to her recumbent bike to continue her yearly riding tradition and move closer towards her team’s $5,000 fundraising goal. Using a recumbent bike not only provides her with some extra assistance if needed, it’s also a great talking point for meeting new people.
“I’ve always loved and look forward to these rides every year, and the transition to using the recumbent bike has been so much fun,” says Carr-Zingle.“The motor helps to level the playing field so I can keep up even when my legs aren’t working as well as I’d like them to and trying something new has allowed me to participate in something again. It’s also a great way to strike up a conversation. I can’t count how many times I’ve been stopped by people interested in my bike.”
This year’s West Kootenay Challenge would have been the 48th MS Bike tour that Carr-Zingle has taken part in. Over the last 20 years and with the help of friends and loved ones, she and her team, The Carr Crew, have raised more than $260,000 for people living with MS in her community and across Canada.
“Even though it feels like the world is on pause right now, there are still people being diagnosed with MS that need our help,” explains Carr-Zingle.“As Canada has one of the highest rates of MS, it’s only right that we should be leading the way in terms of research, finding treatments and advocacy for those who need it most.”
To support or join Carr-Zingle’s initiative, visit: https://bit.ly/30zOHUq.
For more information and to register for Virtual MS Bike, visit msbike.ca.
