Fire Chief Greg Van Tighem from Jasper, Alberta in the Rocky Mountains, set off today from Wickenburg AZ to cycle 3,000 kms back to Jasper to raise funds for MS. His goal is to raise $93K and to increase awareness about the disease.
Here's a blurb on what inspired him:
“It started about six years ago when I met a friend of my brothers in Yellowknife, a fellow fire fighter and an amazing individual; who had MS.” I didn’t have a clue what MS was but over the space of a few years as I witnessed him battling through this terrible sickness I gained a real understanding of the horrible disease and new respect for people living and dealing with debilitating conditions on a daily basis”. The one thing that stuck with Van Tighem throughout this time was the firefighter’s positive outlook and positive attitude, despite his ever worsening condition, to the point where he was dependent on a wheel chair and a full-time personal aid.
Unfortunately he passed away in August of 2008.
It’s in his memory and the dedication to the many other people with MS he has met since as Top Fundraiser, MS Ambassador and Volunteer, that Van Tighem maintains the commitment which is at the heart of his MS fundraising mission. “I do it because MS is a terrible condition, people inflicted with MS start life just like you and me, until they receive the horrible diagnosis. I do it because researchers are at the cusp of finding a cure and they need funding to continue, I do it because the people living and dealing with MS every single day require support and resources to ease their pain and suffering."
His website is www.endms93.com where you can learn more about him and where he can be pledged.
Such a great story! So grateful for the efforts of a fellow Albertan.