“The response to the Birkie Skiers for Cures campaign was incredible,” said Ned Zuelsdorff, Executive Director of the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation. “The amount of money raised this year greatly exceeded our expectations.” Bjorn Daehlie, Norwegian cross country ski legend skied the 2009 American Birkebeiner 54K Classic race and participated in several other events as an ambassador for Multiple Sclerosis research. “Bjorn’s support and participation in the 2009 Birkie Skiers for Cures program was invaluable,” said Zuelsdorff. “He signed autographs, held a private ski and lunch for the largest donors and made numerous appearances at our events to gain exposure for the Birkie Skiers for Cures campaign.” “Bjorn Daehlie’s mother has suffered from MS for several years and raising needed funds for MS Research is important to him,” said Zuelsdorff. “We believe his support and connection with the skiers was a huge part of the programs success.” Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, often debilitating disease that attacks the central nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. Symptoms may range from numbness in the limbs to paralysis or loss of vision. Progress of the disease, severity and specific symptoms are very unpredictable and vary from person to person. “We were thrilled and humbled by the support we received from the board and staff of the American Birkebeiner, as well as the response from Birkie skiers,” said Colleen Kalt, president and CEO of the National MS Society – Wisconsin Chapter. “Research supported by donations to the Society has a profound impact on the lives of more than 2.5 million people throughout the world who live with the challenges of multiple sclerosis every day. The donations garnered through the Birkie Skiers for Cures program will play a significant role in funding groundbreaking projects that are moving us ever closer to a cure. Our most heartfelt thanks to Ned Zuelsdorff and the Birkie staff, Dennis Kruse and the board of directors, and to all who helped make this partnership a success.” The 2009 American Birkebeiner attracted 7,455 skiers participating in the 50K Birkie Skate sponsored by Becker Law, 54K Subaru Birkie Classic, 23K Kortelopet sponsored by Premier Physical Medicine and Wellness Clinic and Johnson Bank Prince Haakon 8K. To learn more about North America’s largest and most prestigious cross country ski race, log on to http://www.birkie.com, email birkie@birkie.com or call 715/634-5025. About the Birkie: Celebrating its 37th year, the American Birkebeiner (1-800-USA-BRKE; www.birkie.com), February 25-27, 2010, is the largest and most prestigious cross country ski marathon in North America. Spanning more than 50 kilometers from Cable to Hayward, the Birkie is part of the Worldloppet series of 15 international races, and part of the lives of citizen skiers from around the world. Sponsors of the Birkie include Subaru, Johnson Bank, Sawyer County Record and Superior Publishing, and other businesses throughout the region and country. Find out more at http://www.birkie.com or call 715/634-5025. About the MS Society: Multiple sclerosis (MS) interrupts the flow of information from the brain to the body and stops people from moving. If is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system. While the progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted, advances in research and treatment are giving hope to those affected by the disease. MS stops people from moving. The National MS Society exists to make sure it doesn’t. Through ground-breaking research initiatives, programs designed to address the challenges of living with MS, and advocating for improved public policy, the society is dedicated to a world free of MS. |
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