Let the fun begin !!!

MS(ucks)!

It's that time of year again! Time for me to dust off my riding legs and mount up for my fifth MS150. In years past, I prepare for this adventure to raise funds for Multiple Sclerosis (“MS”) that affects millions of people worldwide, including my wonderful mom Valorie Noe. She's been a rock throughout my life and this is the best way I know how to help find a cure for a frustrating and disabling disease.

Well, my passion for fundraising and first-hand knowledge of this frustrating and relentless disease grew ten fold over the past ten months. Approximately five days after last year’s ride, my wife Andrea was diagnosed with MS. Man, life is full of surprises and this was a blindside if I’ve ever seen one.

The road leading up to the diagnosis was a rocky one. Shortly after giving birth to our second son Carson, Andrea began having trouble walking, specifically issues with her left leg dragging when she got tired or too hot. After months of numerous MRIs, tests, physical therapy and doctor’s visits, we were almost relieved to have a name for her symptoms.

We’re coming up on the one-year anniversary and thanks to the drugs and wonderful doctors, Andrea is doing much better. For the most part, her symptoms do not stop her from being an incredible mother to our two wild-and-crazy boys, amazing wife to a well-intentioned husband, wonderful teacher to her pre-schoolers, and thoughtful friend to her tight-nit circle of girlfriends. She is a rock and source of inspiration to all of the above and many more but especially to me.

So that brings us to how we can make a different together. The MS150 – a two day, 150 mile bike ride – raises awareness and funds for Multiple Sclerosis research. As I've expressed before, it's an incredible event that's filled with hills, thrills and great times. As always, I'm riding with the Feisty Devils, the largest friends and family team in the nation. Lead by some of the most amazing and inspiring leaders I know, we have raised over $1,000,000 and counting for MS research. But we need your help in continuing the fight against MS by supporting events like the MS150 which funds newer & better drugs.

So here are three easy ways to donate:

1. Donate online via the MS Society's secure website. Go to http://main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/mattnoe ) to donate using any credit or debit card directly to my fundraising efforts.

2. Make a check for any amount to the "MS Society" and send it to my home address:
Matt & Andrea Noe
11817 Vienna Apple Rd.
Keller, TX 76248

3. Save a stamp and find me. I can be found at imc2 M-F, Grapevine Church of Christ most Sunday's and Wednesday's (barring the sick kiddo, of course), or at the above home address at all times in between. Feel free to call me (817-239-9355 cell) to schedule an in-person pick up because if that's what it takes, I'll be there.

That being said, I appreciate your past participation and hope that you can find it in your charitable plans to support my ride/efforts in 2009.

If you want to keep up with my Road to the MS150, please free to check out any of the sources below for updates on my fundraising efforts, photos & videos, daily happenings, or just a quick thought of the day.

• Join our Facebook group (http://tinyurl.com/cjclyb)
• Follow me on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/busternoe )
• Email me (noewonder@gmail.com)
  
  Thank you for your time and participation.
  
  Here's to riding & raising $$$'s like hell,
  Matt "Buster" Noe