The donations pour in...

Thank you for all of your amazing support. To date, you have generously donated a grand total of...

$1360

Fundraising explosion!!!

In just over one week, I've received some incredibly generous and much appreciated donations from many friends and family members. To date I've raised....[drum roll].......

$1045

Thank you to all of you who have donated. If you have not donated but are interested, please know that any and every amount is appreciated. I've received donations from $10 - $200 so far and I am thankful for each and every one.

Fundraising Update

If you're reading this blog it's probably because you were directed here from a flyer, email, or Andrea's blog. Every year I send out a custom designed flyer to various family and friends as well as the same content in an email. I'll see if I can get the flyer up here on the site for all to see.

Well, I mailed those out late last week and have already received incredible feedback. In addition to great notes and emails wishing me luck, we've received $815 in donations!!! That's $815 in less than a week towards my goal of $2500! I can't wait to check my email and postal mail everyday b/c there's been some sort of donation and letter.

For all of you who have donated, THANK YOU so very much. I hope that this blog has given you some insight as to how important this cause is to my family and I. You're donation goes a long way to helping researchers find an end to this awful and frustrating disease! Thank you.

Keep checking back for fundraising & training updates. I couldn't find a good graphic outside of the generic thermometer so if you know of one please send me the info. Thanks.

e-Donated link repaired

If you tried to donated online yesterday (4/17) the site was down. It's now been repaired and operators are standing by to take your donation. Well, no operators but there is now a way to donate to help us find a cure for MS. Please donate today.
Thanks,
Matt

And...Action!

Here's a link to the 2006 Sam's Club MS150 event video. It perfectly highlights all the elements of this awesome event. Enjoy.

Wanna ride?

I would love the company if you're interested. You can ride as little or as much as you want because it's a fully supported ride. Meaning, you can can stop 15 miles in, catch a van to lunch, a later rest stop, or even the Texas Motor Speedway overnight. This is much more common than you might think.

Many folks participate for many reasons. Some want to raise funds in honor of a friend or family member, but can physically only ride 20 miles. Some are diehard cyclists who raise the minimum donation ($300) and enjoy a fully supported, Tour de France like event. Whatever your reason(s), I guarantee you will have a great time and make some awesome memories. Please drop me an email if you are interested in joining the greatest team in the world, the FEISTY DEVILS!

my email: busternoe@yahoo.com

Every little bit helps, seriously

The MS150 is far from being an event created just to give us something to brag about. That's what marathons and triathlons are for. This is one of many fundraising events put on by regional chapters of the National MS Society. This event goes from Frisco to Texas Motor Speedway on day one, then kicks off day 2 with a lap around the TMS track ending in Sundance Square in downtown Fort Worth. It's a beautiful route through the open spaces of North Texas. It's a great time with nearly 3000 riders of all ages, shapes and skill levels all with the same goal -- to raise awareness and funds necessary to end MS!

My 2007 goal is to raise at least $2500 and I need your help. If you would like to donate, you have 2 easy options:

1. Click Here ---> ONLINE DONATIONS This is a direct link to a MS Society rider fundraising page specifically linked to my fundraising efforts for the MS150. Simply fill in your credit/debit card info, your donation amount, then click "submit." This is a secure transaction that goes directly to the MS Society and will give you an electronic receipt for your tax records. NOTE: If you would prefer to donate anonymously, this online tool has that option.


***click image to enlarge***

2. Make a check out to the "National MS Society" and send it to my address below.
Matt Noe
504 Sycamore Lane
Euless, TX 76039

IMPORTANT NOTE: All donations are due by June 7th, 2007 so please donate at your earliest convenience. Remember, whichever method you choose is tax deductible and with Tax Day upon us, we all know this is a nice benefit.

I certainly respect that you have many requests for charity and understand should you choose not to participate. If you can include the National MS Society in your charitable plans, we greatly appreciate any small donation you give.

Where dollars donations are used:

Why I ride

I frequently have people ask me “how’s your mom doing?” That’s a hard question to answer. How do you tell someone that the woman who used to run you all over town, volunteer for PTA, maintain a spotless house and manage a happy home now cannot drive a car, is in a wheelchair and has a cleaning service?

Let me tell you why I find it hard to answer that question. I find it hard to answer that question because MS is the most frustrating, helpless disease for both the patient and those that care about them.

How would you respond if you had to watch someone you love lose use of their major motor skills, short term memory and only on occasion do you get to see their natural, infectious personality?

Well, I ride! I get on my bike for 2 days and cover 150 miles, most of the time wondering if my pain and soreness compares to anything near what MS patients experience. I ride because she and millions of others just like her cannot – and I’m positive they wish they could. I ride to raise money for finding a cure.

Please join me in the fight to find a cure for multiple sclerosis. You’re probably reading this because you know me and/or my family. Together we can make a difference in the lives of millions of families around the world.

What is MS?

MS is a disabling, chronic, devastating disease that affects young adults, is unpredictable in its course, and has no known cure. MS can impair mobility, sight, speech, balance, and coordination. It is often characterized by patterns of attack and remission and most commonly strikes people between the ages of 20 and 50, at the time when many people are beginning a career and starting families.

However, advances in research are giving hope to those affected. The continuation of this research is solely dependent on funding. That's where you and I can make a difference. Simply follow the "PLEASE DONATE..." link and give any amount you can. Every dollar helps us get closer to wiping out MS!!!

Another year, another ride

Well, it's been a few years since my last ride but better late than never. After nearly 3 years in Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina and no MS150's, I'm ready to saddle up for another 150 miles! I've got to be honest, I've barely ridden my bike in since the 2004 MS150 and I can definitely tell in the few rides I've done preparing for this years tour. Regardless, I'm pumped to be riding again as a part of everyone's favorite team, the Feisty Devils.

Just to bring you up to speed on the last few months of my life, here's the quick version. In January we moved back to Dallas/Ft. Worth when I accepted a great offer to take a marketing position with an incredible digital advertising agency imc2. In that time at the company I've some how been "nominated" to co-head our MS150 recruiting and fundraising efforts at imc2.

I learned about imc2 when I rode with the Feisty Devils in 2003 & '04 where many of the team members were from imc2, including the President & Founder of imc2 Doug Levy. Doug and his wonderful wife Alyce co-founded the Feisty Devils as a friends & family team after Alyce was diagnosed with MS. Due in large part to their infectious passion and exitement, the team is now one of the largest & highest fundraising teams in the NATION!

So, I've been on my bike about 4 times and need to ride alot more or it's going to be a really rough event. I'm working on ramping up my mileage now that the weather's nice and the reality of the ride being in less than one month has hit me.

Please continue to check back often for more info on my training and fundraising efforts.

Pics from 2003 & 2004 MS150

My wonderful mom Valorie and I at the finish of my first (2003) MS150. Don't be fooled, she's really holding me up in this picture ;)



I've always wanted to finish with the no hands, Tour de France pose but fear the nasty -- and highly embarassing -- crash that would definitely follow. So, I just went with the standard "ahhhhh, I'm finished and could use some help removing this seat from my backside."



Mom and I after the 2004 ride. She asked me to let her ride on the handlebars, but I was in no shape for that. Maybe this year she can swap out with Hayden in the baby trailer. We'll see... that's what she always told me when I wanted to do something risky