Three colleagues and friends are joining together to raise money to help those living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
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Amanda Hammond and Craig and Belinda Smith are putting together their final preparations before the head to Sydney to ride from the city to Wollongong on November 4.
It is the first time the group has done something like this but next weekend will join hundreds from across Australia who are also taking up the challenge to compete in the 2018 Sydney to the Gong.
“There is no cure for MS and around three quarters of the people living with MS are women,” Ms Hammond said.
“I have two friends who have been diagnosed with MS – they were younger than 40 when diagnosed – both with young families and ever since then I have wanted to do something to help.
“Every cent The Port Macquarie XRAY riders raise helps to make sure people living with MS get the support that they need so that they can live their lives.
“This may be in the form of access to nurses, occupational therapy, support groups, educational resources and social workers.”
Craig Smith has just returned from competing in an Ironman overseas and said he is excited for this ride.
“For me it will be a fun day out but knowing we will be helping people with MS makes it all the more special,” Mr Smith said.
MS is a disease of the central nervous system affecting the brain , spinal cord and optic nerves.
Everyone experiences different symptoms and while there is no cure there are constant advancements in treatments so early diagnosis is vital in the management and ongoing prognosis of the disease.
“MRI imaging – which is part of what happens here at Port Macquarie X-RAY is integral in the diagnosis and monitoring of MS so we regularly meet people who are going getting diagnosed with the disease,” Ms Hammond said.
“MRI images show the demyelination that occurs in the central nervous system and displays outstanding contrast which is important for visualizing the smallest of details in the brain. Grey and white matter differentiation, spinal fluid, blood and small MS lesions can be seen on MRI.
“I see taking part in this ride as an opportunity for us to give back to our beautiful patients that we see living with MS.”
The group are also fundraising in the lead up their ride and if you would like to help them out click here.
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