My name is Josh Radi. I am a senior at Western Michigan University. I started racing mountain bikes last year. At first I raced just for the thrill, but as the season progressed, I felt the urge to use my talent for something more notable. My mother; Denise Radi, was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) at age 38. This is a woman who had lived her entire life with relatively well health, and then out of nowhere, she was diagnosed with this disease. For those who do not know, Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, long-term condition that affects the central nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord. MS is a neurological disease that affects the myelin sheath of nerve fibers. Over time, it damages the myelin by using the bodies own immune system (white blood cells) to attack, ultimately causing paralysis.
MS has 3 main characteristics:
1) Individualized - The progress, severity, and specific symptoms of MS are unpredictable and vary from one person to another.
2) Exacerbations - An exacerbation of MS is caused by inflammation in the central nervous system (CNS) that causes damage to the myelin and slows or blocks the transmission of nerve impulses. Although there is no cure, these are usually treated with High Dose Corticosteroid injections. The primary drug used is Beta Interferon.
3) Remissions - Many people have long time periods where they go without having any symptoms of the disease, as if it wasn't even there. This is especially true in the early onsets of MS.
The most unfortunate part of this disease is that it can strike at almost any age. In fact, MS almost always is first diagnosed in the 20's and 30's, and women are twice as likely to develop MS as men. In addition, science has yet to discover what causes the disease.
With the advent of new technology, my family hopes that one day a cure may be discovered so that we can bring an end to this debilitating disease. This is why I am putting myself through a one hundred mile race on June 20, 2009. The Lumberjack 100 is a mountain bike race in northern Michigan that occurs once a year. I realize I will be half dead by the time I finish, but I am willing to do whatever it takes to help my mom and others like her find a cure. At the very least, I hope the contributions obtained will assist in programs and research done by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. In these troubled economic times, I understand that it is difficult to find the means necessary to donate extra money to “yet another cause,” but I feel that your contribution will not be given in vain. With your help, and the help of other contributors like you, the hope of a cure may one day become a reality, and that reality means a lot to those who envision a future without walking. All of the money that you donate will go directly to the Michigan Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Millions worldwide with my family and I included, truly appreciate your help. After donating, continue to stay updated with the fundraiser's progress by returning to the donation page and going to the links below.
Learn more about Multiple Sclerosis at http://www.nationalmssociety.org
You may also see my result from the lumberjack 100 at:
http://www.lumberjack100.com
or
http://sponsorhouse.loopd.com/Members/rowdy602
NOTE: If you have any difficulty or are unable to use the credit card system for whatever reason, please email me at Joshua.K.Radi@wmich.edu to make arrangements. I am more than happy to accept your donation via cash or check, and use my own credit card to post your donation, while still placing your name with the others who have donated at the top of the screen. Thanks again for your support.
