Bikers Raise $6K for Multiple Sclerosis Research

"Team VA," a 14-person bicycling club made up of Houston VA Medical Center employees, raised $6,000 for multiple sclerosis research and education. The team participated in the two-day MS 150 Houston-to-Austin annual bike tour, sponsored by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Lone Star chapter. More than 10,000 riders participated this year, making it the nation’s largest MS bike tour.

"The MS Bike Tour is a great way to bring national awareness to such a life-altering disease," said Mike Mitchell, Houston VA Medical Center employee wellness program coordinator. The wellness program’s goal is to encourage hospital employees to become more involved in the community.

The VA team began training in January for the event. Team members, from a diverse spectrum of hospital departments, included Gregory Tennessee, physician assistant; Clarence Mitchell, vocational rehabilitation specialist; Dianna Densmore, senior project coordinator; Ralph Collins, physician assistant; Sofia Simotas, Ph.D., clinical psychologist; Debbie Colvin, nurse practitioner; Addie Hayes, program support assistant; Susan Green, research coordinator; Lori Reeves, pharmacy technician; Errol Egolf, engineer technician; Cynthia Smith, transportation assistant; Charles Wright, Ph.D., preventive medicine coordinator; and Kevin Grillo, computer specialist.

"It was hard work," Mitchell said. "We trained at least five days a week for four months preparing for the two-day adventure. We rode every Saturday morning, regardless of the weather. We worked on strength-training exercises, and we prepared mentally for what was to come."

When team members began training, they didn’t know each other well because of the various and diverse areas in which each worked. But today, Mitchell said, they are close.

"We’re more than co-workers – we are now friends – and I think that’s important for morale."

E-Mail: tmcinfo@texmedctr.tmc.edu
URL: http://www.tmc.edu/tmcnews/08_01_02/page_31.html