Midlands Cyclists doing it for MS at Amashova
According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society website, Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body.
Hilton resident Pete Sinclair explained to the group of cyclists clad in orange that in South Africa there are 3 500 cases of MS. Whereas In Canada there 53 000. There is a very large population of Indian patients globally affected by MS. In Canada major MS Awareness campaigns take place all of the time.
Sinclair’s son Oliver was diagnosed with MS in 2004 and according to his blog, he hoped for another 8 good years. Things are possibly more hopeful though as he undergoes a new treatment at the moment involving Chemotherapy and stem cell harvesting to “reboot” his immune system, and hopefully put an end to the MS “attacks”.
At the time of going to press Oliver’s stem cells have been successfully harvested and he awaits further procedure in October. In his blog he explains why he took the “risk” of this new treatment “So why Chemo? Well, it offers me the chance of living out the rest of my life free from any further MS Attacks. I may still have all the symptoms I currently have, there may be slight improvements but even if I just stay the same I will be able to walk to the edge of the field and watch my son play sport. I will be able to hold my new baby in my arms. Living life not knowing if you are going to wake up tomorrow being able to walk, talk, see or hold in your pee is not a pleasant way to live and so if there was a chance that you could change that wouldn’t you?” Follow his journey on https://mtugudzi.wordpress.com/2015/08/25/why-chemotherapy/
This leads us back to the subject of the cyclists in orange! Oliver’s wife Michelle is coordinating the MS Awareness in the Charity batch of the 35km Tsogo Sun Amashova Durban Classic in order to raise funds, but more than that, to create an awareness of the condition by doing the race (the downhill section into Durban) along with the thousands of competitive cyclists.
Coordinated by Hilton business owner Cornelia Puler, the group of Midlands cyclists are very happy to be having some fun together, raising some funds, and getting people to take note of MS! Look out for them on the road on the 18th of October. You will NOT miss them!
Should you wish to contribute in some way to the MS cause contact Michelle on 082 8706 144 (cell) or email her on michelle@polarairkzn.co.za
To meet Oliver Sinclair on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oliver.sinclair.5680
To find out more about Multiple Sclerosis go to: http://www.multiplesclerosis.co.za
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