News Release

Lauren Smith, a resident of Chicago, organizes MS Pedal to the Metal, a 1000-mile bike ride between Chicago and Boston that has raised over $9,000 to date to benefit the Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis.

Chicago, IL (PRWEB) May 2, 2006 -- Lauren Smith, a resident of Chicago, organizes MS Pedal to the Metal, a 1000-mile bike ride between Chicago and Boston that has raised over $9,000 to date to benefit the Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis.

Conceived and spearheaded by Mr. Smith, MS Pedal to the Metal is a multi-state bicycle ride between Chicago, IL and the Boston, MA office of Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis. Leaving on June 16, 2006, the ride will pass through Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, and Massachusetts. Joined by Eric Karls of Chicago, the team will make the trip in nearly two weeks, stopping at cities along the way to spread the word. MS Pedal to the Metal is expected to raise over $20,000 with all proceeds benefiting The Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis in their mission to cure Multiple Sclerosis (MS) by determining its causes.

Mr. Smith's father was diagnosed with MS nearly ten years ago. Since then, the effects of MS have quickly come upon his father. "This is a difficult thing for a son to see, but my Dad's great will and positive attitude have been an absolute inspiration to his family and friends," says Mr. Smith. "It is this refusal to give up that has driven me to help find a cure for MS. Hope for a cure and love for life has kept me and, more importantly, my Dad going through this frustrating disease."

Mr. Smith believes that Accelerated Cure Project is his father's best chance for a cure. "The approach they are taking in finding a cure makes perfect sense - get researchers across the world to work together and determine a cause. Once they can accomplish that, the cure won't be too far behind." Lauren Smith and Eric Karls both live in Chicago with their wives. Lauren is employed by Two Degrees Consulting and Eric is a teacher at St Isaac Jogues School in Hinsdale, IL.

For more information or to make a donation to MS Pedal to the Metal, visit http://expansion.acceleratedcure.org/mspedal. Information about the ride route, fundraising events, and more can be found on the web site. All of the money raised through pledges, sponsors and donations will go to Accelerated Cure Project. This event is made possible by Midway Machining & Tool Co., Inc. and other generous donors.

About Accelerated Cure Project

Accelerated Cure Project is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to accelerate the cure of multiple sclerosis (MS) by facilitating research that determines the causes and mechanisms of MS. Our primary strategic initiative is the establishment of the MS Repository, a large-scale collection of highly-characterized biosamples available to scientist at any organization who are conducting research that contributes to our mission. All data generated through analysis of MS Repository samples is contributed back to the Accelerated Cure Project, resulting in an increasingly valuable and comprehensive information resource that can be analyzed to reveal new insights about MS. For more information about the Accelerated Cure Project or to make a corporate or individual donation, call 781-487-0008, visit www.acceleratedcure.org, or send an email to info_no_spam_please_@i_mean_it.no_spam_whatsoever.acceleratedcure.org.

About Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system that often results in severe disability including the inability to walk, blindness, cognitive dysfunction, extreme fatigue and other serious symptoms. MS affects over 400,000 people in the US and 2 million individuals worldwide. The disorder occurs twice as often in women as in men. The cause is not known and there is no known cure.