More than 600 cyclists hit the road to raise money and awareness for Multiple Sclerosis at the 22nd Annual Johnson MS Airdrie to Olds Bike Tour.  

The bikes took off early Saturday (June 24) morning from TransCanada Pipelines in Airdrie bound for Olds by the end of the day Sunday.  Darrel Gregory, a Director for the Calgary and Area Chapter of the MS Society says events like this are important to not just raise money, but to create awareness into living with MS.

"It's not only the bikers, it's their support network, it's everybody in the community who's coming out, sponsors, the media who are raising awareness on this."

Gregory says some of the research that's taking place in Alberta is world class.  "We're funding some studies that involve stem cells in terms of repairing damage from MS.  I've personally seen some of the trials that we've done and the impact that it's made into the lives of people with MS.  I'm convinced that the money we raise through the bike tour and some of our other events is making a difference to the research."

The fundraising goal for the bike tour was $588,000.  As of Sunday morning the MS Society had reached 99 per cent of that goal.  

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