The Southern California and Nevada Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) presents Bike MS: Vegas Challenge on November 12-13, 2011. The two-day ride starts and finishes each day in downtown Las Vegas at the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. Ride distances vary from 30 to 160 miles with rest stations providing food and drinks throughout the course.

There are approximately 400,000 people with MS in the country, but the causes and cure of the disease have yet to be discovered. The NMSS is the single largest source of funding for MS research in the U.S., and the Bike MS: Vegas Challenge supports the organization's efforts to mobilize people and drive research. In addition, much of the money raised at this event stays in Las Vegas to help the thousands of Nevadans living with MS.

The community is invited to join the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health's Bike MS team as either a rider or volunteer. One team member who is especially passionate about the cause is the director of the Center's MS program, Dr. Timothy West. He says, "We know that riding 30 to 160 miles is nowhere near as difficult as confronting a lifetime with multiple sclerosis, but we've formed a team for the Bike MS: Vegas Challenge because we want to join the fight and help those living with the disease right here in our home town."

Dr. West adds, "I have been a part of an MS ride in San Francisco and Salt Lake City for the past three years. I would encourage Las Vegans to take part in any way they can: as riders, volunteers or supporters. Not only is this an important event, it's really fun!"

Join Dr. West on the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health team by visiting: ( http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Bike/CALBikeEvents?team_id=263401&pg=team&fr_id=17042)

Click on the "Join Team" link above his name to ride, volunteer or donate. 

Read more about Dr. West and the MS program at the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health at http://www.symphonypark.com/symphony-park-news/2011/09/multiple-sclerosis-expert-joins-lou-ruvo-center-for-brain-health/.
 For information on ongoing volunteer opportunities, visit ( http://www.keepmemoryalive.org/GetInvolved/Pages/Volunteer.aspx).

Photo: Dr. Timothy West at Cleveland Clinic, the point of departure for Bike MS: Vegas Challenge.