TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jonathan Allenger, a cyclist, father, and member of the multiple sclerosis (MS) community, is embarking on a cross-country journey to raise awareness and funds for MS. He will travel over 6,000 km from Vancouver, BC to St. John’s, NL over the course of two months to raise funds for MS Canada and MS Bike. The goal is to raise $1M for MS research and support services for those living with the disease.
Canada has one of the highest rates of MS in the world – 1 in every 400 people in the country lives with MS and there are 12 new Canadians diagnosed every day. Jonathan himself was diagnosed in 2013, the day after he heard his now nine-year-old son Leo’s heartbeat for the first time on a sonogram. As an avid cyclist, Jonathan has been engaged with MS Bike for years, but this is the first time he’s taken on the ambitious cross-country route.
“Since my diagnosis, I’ve felt compelled to raise awareness and fundraise through these rides to support MS research and resources,” said Jonathan. “It’s not just for my own hope for a cure, but for the entire community that I’m a part of. In the ten years since my team has been fundraising for MS Canada through MS Bike events, we’ve raised over $150K. This time, I’m pushing to blow our previous fundraising efforts out of the water and spread awareness from coast to coast.”
Jonathan will start his journey in Vancouver on May 7, 2023, and will make stops in major cities along the way, including Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Moncton and St. John’s. He will be camping along the route and relying on the support of local communities for food and supplies. His goal is to complete the ride by June 26.
Jonathan's journey is being supported by BioScript Solutions, a Canadian organization dedicated to simplifying access to specialty care for patients with chronic illnesses and rare diseases, including MS. BioScript will support Jonathan and his team throughout his journey while also ensuring Jonathan receives his medication on route so he can focus on what matters most — raising awareness and funds for MS.
MS Canada is a national organization dedicated to funding research and providing support services for those affected by MS.
To follow Jonathan’s journey and make a donation, please click here, or follow along on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
About multiple sclerosis and MS Canada
As of January 2023, the MS Society of Canada is operating under a new name – MS Canada. MS Canada will continue to fulfill the mission of the MS Society of Canada and the MS Scientific Research Foundation, building upon our 75-year history of supporting the MS community.
Canada has one of the highest rates of multiple sclerosis (MS) in the world. On average, 12 Canadians are diagnosed every day. MS is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord). It is considered an episodic disability meaning that the severity and duration of illness and disability can vary and are often followed by periods of wellness. It can also be progressive. Most people are diagnosed with MS between the ages of 20 and 49 and the unpredictable effects of the disease will last for the rest of their lives. MS Canada provides information, support, and advocacy to people affected by MS, and funds research to find the cause and cure for the disease, bringing us closer to a world free of MS. Please visit mscanada.ca or call 1-800-268-7582 for more information, to get involved, or to support Canadians affected by MS by making a donation.
About BioScript Solutions
Since 2001, BioScript Solutions has supported patients with chronic illnesses and rare diseases by providing access to complex drug therapies and delivering full-service specialty care. We serve thousands of Canadians coast to coast every year — from our patient support programs, wholesale pharmaceutical distribution and third-party logistics to our clinics and pharmacies. Even as we grow, we remain local at heart — committed to our communities and to putting patients first in everything we do. Please visit bioscript.ca to learn more about our specialty services.
