By MADDY VITALE
Tom Hambrose began riding in Bike MS fundraisers 32 years ago as a way to not only spend a weekend doing what he loves – cycling – but also making it count for others.
A decade ago, it became personal.
“I got a call from my sister. She was in the hospital, diagnosed with MS,” he explained. “I went from being a weekend bike rider for a cause to it being personal and a big part of my life.”
His sister, Stephanie Baloh, of Dallas, Pa., is doing well on a good health regimen, he said.
On Saturday, Hambrose of Team Del Buono Bakery, was joined by 4,200 other cyclists who made the trek from Cherry Hill, Mays Landing and Hammonton to Ocean City to raise money for programs and research in hopes of finding a cure for MS.
MS is a potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord, the central nervous system.
Cyclists and their teams had raised $3.5 million by Saturday afternoon for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and it was likely to increase throughout the day.
The figure was expected to grow to $4.3 million with additional sponsors to be counted, MS officials said.
As cyclists made it to the finish line on Fifth Street, some gave the thumbs-up sign, while others held their arms up in victory. Spectators displayed signs showing support for the cyclists.
The parking lot by the Sports & Civic Center between Fifth and Sixth Street was opened to cyclists who gathered with their families to chat, get something to eat and pick up T-shirts to commemorate the milestone.
Hambrose, 61, and fellow teammate, Nick Giorgio, 39, of Collingswood, N.J., spoke of their team’s accomplishment Saturday.
“We raised $25,000,” Hambrose said.
Giorgio said he rides for all of those suffering from MS.
He noted that despite the rains and brisk temps, the ride was great.
“It’s not an easy ride. It’s a great ride, though, and the volunteers who do the rest stops – you don’t want for anything,” Giorgio said. “It’s one of the best charity rides in South Jersey.”
The Bike MS City to Shore Ride is the second-largest MS fundraiser in the world.
Shelia Casey, senior director of national teams for Bike MS, said that because of the successful event year after year, the MS Society is able to do so much for the cause.
“We are able to fund research. For the first time, we have added a cure to our mission,” Casey said. “This is a really exciting time. We want to make sure to help those with MS.”
The top fundraisers Saturday were Ian Harris with $216,649, Matthew Ramer with $52,997 and Robert Almond with $29,896.
Stacey Asbell, of Downingtown, Pa., did not ride in the event Saturday. But she has in the past. She was one of the many spectators who cheered on the cyclists.
Her husband, Steven Asbell, was one of the riders for their group, Team Force Majeure. They became involved in the event back in 1999 and never wavered. Each year they have been a part of the fundraiser.
“Since 1999 we have raised $2.3 million for the cause,” Stacey Asbell said, adding that they have a colleague whose wife has MS. “Our express goal is to increase funding for MS research and spread awareness about the disease.”
For more information about Bike MS and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, visit mssociety.donordrive.com.
