The newly formed New Jersey Metro Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society is looking for people to join the movement to help create a world free of multiple sclerosis. The chapter is now accepting registrations for their upcoming Walk MS and Bike MS "Coast the Coast" ride fundraising events. Funds raised from these events will go to support critical MS research programs and fund local programs for all those who are impacted by the disease.

This past October, the Mid Jersey and the Greater North Jersey Chapters merged to become the New Jersey Metro Chapter. This move makes the chapter one of the largest organizations within the entire society. The goals are to: provide additional program opportunities, improve efficiencies, raise more money and increase research commitment. The chapter will do this with both offices remaining open, joining boards and working on the strengths of all staff.

"Every hour of every day someone is newly diagnosed with MS. We need to move into action now to provide support for each person affected by MS. By merging and becoming bigger and stronger, we will have 15 walk sites to choose from, double the participants and volunteers, double the fun and double the money raised to create a world free of multiple sclerosis," said Gina Murdoch, Vice President of Special Events for the National MS Society - New Jersey Metro Chapter.

Walk MS 2009 kicks off Sunday, April 19, 2009 at the following 15 walk sites: Belmar, Cranford, Edison, Flemington, Freehold, Hamilton, Hewitt, Jersey City, Ridgewood, Roseland, Roxbury, Sandy Hook, Seaside Park, North Brunswick and Somerville. Having combined the sites of the former two chapters, the New Jersey Metro Chapter Walk MS 2009 will be one of New Jersey's largest, most widespread days of walking! Registration will begin at 9:00 AM and the walk at 10 AM. You can register now at http://www.walknjm.nationalMSsociety.org.

Also, the first of three Bike MS events for the New Jersey Metro Chapter will roll out on May 16 and 17, 2009. The "Coast the Coast" ride includes 5 rides that occur over two different days. On Saturday, May 16th, there will be 25, 50, 85 and 170 miles options starting from the William T. Boylan Gym at Monmouth University. The shorter tours on May 16th will ride a loop through beautiful waterfront communities, beginning and ending at Monmouth University. The MS 170 and 85 mile will cycle down the sparkling Jersey coast to the pinelands in Tuckerton where they will break for the day. Early Sunday, May 17th MS 170 and 85 cyclists will take to the road to pedal the coast from Tuckerton down to Victorian Cape May. Again this year is the option to do a Bike MS 85 mile starting on Sunday, May 17th from the Pinelands Regional Middle School in Tuckerton. Registration is open now for Bike MS at bikenjm.nationalMSsociety.org -Bike MS for the ride of a lifetime.

Walking or cycling the destination is the same - moving towards a world free of MS. For more information about Walk MS please contact - Patricia Tupycia -Mid-Jersey- (732) 660-1005 or - Jennifer Hivry - North Jersey- (201) 967-5599 and Bike MS John Pisano at (732) 660-1005 or visit http://www.nationalmssociety.org/njm.

The National MS Society is a movement by and for people with MS. The Society funds cutting-edge research, drives change through advocacy, facilitates professional education and provides programs and services that help people with MS and their families to move their lives forward. MS stops people from moving. We exist to make sure it doesn't.

Source
Bonnie Bardinas
The National MS Society