Gardere Team Rides in 2017 Houston BP MS 150 Benefiting the National Multiple Sclerosis Society: Lone Star Chapter
Cyclists from Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP were among the tens of thousands of participants over the weekend in the 33rd Annual BP MS 150 benefiting the National Multiple Sclerosis Society: Lone Star Chapter. Prior to this year’s ride, the firm raised a total of $2.1 million over the last 14 years to directly benefit cutting-edge research, programs and services to help find a cure for multiple sclerosis (MS).
This year Team Gardere hopes to raise at least $160,000. As of today, they have raised just over $117,000. Fundraising will continue until July 31 before the final tallies are announced by the organization.
“Our overall fundraising total to date is an amazing accomplishment considering our team has never exceeded 100 riders,” said Claude Treece, CEO of Gardere. “This year, Team Gardere was prepared to go the distance to exceed our fundraising goal, undergoing advanced training and extensive preparation. The power in their pedals was fueled by their ambition for and commitment to this incredible cause.”
The BP MS 150 was held April 29-30, where riders made the two-day journey from Houston to Austin, Texas. Gardere’s team was composed of 64 firm attorneys, staff, family members, clients and friends. This was the 15th year that Team Gardere competed.
The ride is the largest event of its kind in North America, with 13,000 cyclists, 3,500 volunteers and countless spectators along the route and at the finish line in Austin. The teams travel roughly 180 miles across central and south Texas aspiring to reach their fundraising goal of $16 million to bring hope to many who are affected by MS. This effort helps fuel progress toward a world free of MS.
Other Gardere MS fundraising efforts have included the participation of the firm’s Dallas-based Gardere Gearheads team in the Bike MS: Sam’s Club Round Up Ride from Frisco, Texas to Fort Worth from 2006-2013. The team is a past recipient of the “Third Highest Fundraising Team Award.”
MS is a progressive neurological disease that affects more than two million people worldwide, primarily those between 20-50 years old. Not only is it challenging to diagnose because symptoms can be invisible, but a cure has yet to be discovered.
For more information on the disease and the BP MS 150 ride, please visit www.MS150.org. To make a donation to reach Team Gardere’s goal visit: here. To learn more about Gardere’s philanthropic initiatives, including the firm’s participation in the BP MS 150, visit Gardere's Community page.