Like it or not, Cassandra and I aren’t the most charitable people in the world. Maybe we’re bad people, but at least now we’re doing something about it for the sake of comedy. My mom was diagnosed with MS probably close to ten years ago, and since then my family has had a field day on jokes at her expense. They consist of anything from brain problem jokes to just laughing mercilessly when she can’t stand up on her own. We’ve come to a point where to keep the jokes coming, we have to at least give back a little bit to shut up our consciences.
To that end, the wife and I will be riding in a 150 mile bike ride to help raise money for the National MS Society. To be perfectly honest, I don’t have any idea how physically exerting myself helps to raise money, but I guess it’s a substitute for giving them MY money. Other people must think “I don’t want to exercise that much, I should just give them my money in exchange for not having to do that to myself!” Regardless, the website told me I should, and the internet is never wrong.
The Background Story
Unfortunately, most people that get involved in these types of things have some sort of connection to the cause for which they are supporting. I’m no different. As I mentioned earlier, my mom has MS and I’m very familiar with the changes that the disease brings about. It’s like a little tiny nervous-system-eating wrecking ball going through your body. I believe that is, in fact, the technical explaination for it. It started when my family was on a six-week road trip where my mom had her leg fall asleep for the entire trip. Imagine trying to walk with your leg asleep for six straight weeks. She looked ridiculous.
Over the years, the effects have been some noticable and some not. Some days walking is hard, some days it is easy. Some days remembering is hard, some days it is easy. Any way you look at it, though, it’s not a fun thing to live with (MS, not my mom). She’s done a great job of handling it and keeping it from affecting her every day life, which is probably better than I could have done.
The “You Can Help” Part
Here’s the good news: You can help!
Seriously, though, scientists are expensive. There’s a reason they went to college and slept through a bunch of biology classes. It’s so they could make lots of money. These diseases aren’t just going to cure themselves. It takes money, and lots of it. The more money, the better. Cassandra and I are both shooting for over $1,000 each. We will try to sell some of our Celtics Playoff Tickets (links to those tickets will be provided on this page), and would ask anyone reading this to think about going to our donation pages below and giving just a little bit. You can skip a meal and give us the $10 you would have spent on a Baconator. Plus, if you’re eating those, you probably need to skip a meal.
If you live in the Boston area and can’t donate money, but have some extra time June 28-29 and want to help us out, we may need it. Let us know if you’re interested.
A Little Game
If you think that just donating is boring, why not make it more interesting? Here’s a little game we can play.
Biking 150 miles is a long way. I’m thinking there’s about a 50% chance I make it, and I could probably use extra motivation because let’s be honest… Halo 3 is a fun game. So for anyone interested, I will match your entire donation dollar-for-dollar if I quit the race early. See, we’re raising extra money. This is fun. (Insert Stephen A. Smith here) HOW-EVER if I do finish the ride, you double your donation. Exciting, no?
More Information And How To Donate
We’ve made this easy on you. Just click on the links below and you’ll be able to find out everything you need to know about MS, our bike ride, and how to donate.
- Donate Money to the NMSS on Behalf of Shane – Visit this page and look for the link on the left side that says “Donate to Participant.”
- Donate Money to the NMSS on Behalf of Cassandra – Visit this page and look for the link on the left side that says “Donate to Participant.”
- National MS Society Webpage
- Bike Ride Details – Specific Information pertaining to the Cape Cod Getaway Ride 2008.
Workout Schedule
Follow along with our workout schedule here while we train for this bike ride. If we get way behind and are missing workout days, send us emails to mock us and demean our work ethic.
Date |
Miles Planned |
Actual Miles By Shane |
Actual Miles By Cassandra |
| 3/31 | 15 | 15 | 11 |
| 4/1 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| 4/3 | 15 | 15 | 13.5 |
| 4/4 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| 4/5 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| 4/7 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| 4/9 | 15 | ||
| 4/10 | 15 | ||
| 4/11 | 15 | ||
| 4/12 | 20 | ||
| 4/14 | 15 | ||
| 4/15 | 15 | ||
| 4/17 | 20 | ||
| 4/18 | 15 | ||
| 4/19 | 25 | ||
| 4/21 | 25 | ||
| 4/22 | 25 | ||
| 4/23 | 25 | ||
| 4/24 | 25 | ||
| 4/28 | 25 | ||
| 4/29 | 25 | ||
| 5/1 | 25 | ||
| 5/2 | 20 | ||
| 5/3 | 30 | ||
| 5/5 | 20 | ||
| 5/6 | 30 | ||
| 5/8 | 25 | ||
| 5/9 | 25 | ||
| 5/10 | 30 | ||
| 5/12 | 25 | ||
| 5/13 | 25 | ||
| 5/15 | 35 | ||
| 5/16 | 25 | ||
| 5/17 | 35 | ||
| 5/19 | 30 | ||
| 5/20 | 35 | ||
| 5/22 | 35 | ||
| 5/23 | 30 | ||
| 5/24 | 30 | ||
| 5/26 | 30 | ||
| 5/27 | 30 | ||
| 5/29 | 30 | ||
| 5/30 | 30 | ||
| 5/31 | 45 | ||
| 6/2 | 30 | ||
| 6/3 | 45 | ||
| 6/5 | 45 | ||
| 6/6 | 30 | ||
| 6/7 | 50 | ||
| 6/9 | 30 | ||
| 6/10 | 45 | ||
| 6/12 | 45 | ||
| 6/13 | 45 | ||
| 6/14 | 50 | ||
| 6/16 | 30 | ||
| 6/17 | 45 | ||
| 6/19 | 30 | ||
| 6/20 | 30 | ||
| 6/21 | 75 | ||
| 6/23 | 25 | ||
| 6/25 | 25 | ||
| 6/26 | 10 | ||
| 6/28 | 75 | ||
| 6/29 | 75 |