As summer is winding down, we reflect on the fun we had with family and friends relaxing and trying to stay cool – backyard barbeques, trips to the beach, ice cream cones, and time spent poolside. But for individuals living with MS, staying cool during the summer can be a challenge. That is why the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America provides free cooling vests and accessories to qualified individuals with MS, throughout the summer and all year long.
As you can imagine, symptom-management products such as cooling vests come at a significant cost. MSAA relies on a community of supporters stepping up to make a difference. Our DIY fundraising platform makes it easy for anyone to set up an MSAA donation page for their fundraising event or campaign.
In fact, setting up his fundraising page was the easiest thing Richard Core did all summer, who raised $6,000 for MSAA with his Richard’s Ride Across America.
Richard, who has been living with MS since 2004, had dreamed of riding his bike across the continental United States since he was 16 years old. In recent years, his dream had become animated by two goals: “to see whether I could deal with, and possibly improve, my multiple sclerosis symptoms in the process.” Richard said, “I also hoped my efforts could help others living with MS, which happens to be the mission of the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America.”
On April 1st, 2022, Richard set off from his home in Los Angeles, with a destination of his sister’s home in Bedford, MA, and a goal of reaching her by Memorial Day weekend. Quickly realizing this plan was too aggressive, he opted to slow down, taking days to rest, take in scenery, and visit with family and friends. Along the way, dozens of individuals were inspired to give to MSAA by Richard’s ride, leading to his $6,000 fundraising total. Richard completed his ride when he reached his sister’s New Bedford, MA home on June 25th, 2022 – but people continue to find inspiration in his story and donate to his DIY fundraising page.
Richard’s Ride Across America is an incredible success story for MSAA’s DIY fundraising champions – but you do not have to go as big as Richard to make a difference. People support MSAA with DIY fundraisers in all sorts of ways! This community is so creative, and the list of unique fundraising ideas they have produced is endless. Our friends and supporters have hosted basketball tournaments, golf outings, runs/walks, and swimming competitions. We have seen Halloween costume contests, house party fundraisers, holiday pie sales, and even an old-fashioned Southern pit barbeque.
Often, these events are executed by MSAA clients diagnosed with MS. While they host fundraisers, these champions also bring their friends, family, and community together to educate them about multiple sclerosis, creating new MS advocates in the process. Our website’s DIY fundraising platform allows you to create a customizable fundraising page for your event that can be shared via email and social media.
If you are reading this, then we know you care about the MS community, and might be looking for ways to make a difference. If you need help brainstorming DIY fundraising ideas, or would like to request literature and swag for your event, reach out to the Donor Experience Manager, Joe Sperlunto at jsperlunto@mymsaa.org, or (800)- 532-7667, ext. 127. Can we count on you this year to help MSAA Improve Lives Today?
