A Million Reasons to Keep Going: How One Man's Fight Turned Into a Win For the Entire MS Community
Barry Travnicek Has Built an Enduring Legacy for His Sister, and He’s Not Finished Yet
In the MS community, the name Barry Travnicek has become synonymous with purpose—and for good reason. For the last 34 years, Barry has been a passionate advocate for people living with MS, driven by the memory of his late sister, who passed away in 2018. His story has also inspired countless Canadians across the country to help spread awareness and his fundraising efforts reached a remarkable milestone last year: Barry surpassed a record-breaking fundraising goal of $1 million, but he’s nowhere near done.
Sparking a Catalyst for Change
Barry’s journey began in 1991 when his sister Lynne was diagnosed with MS. He didn’t know it at the time, but her diagnosis would serve as the catalyst for a renewed purpose in his life. Fueled by his belief that every action—no matter how big or small—makes a difference, Barry was determined to set his sights high and raise a million dollars for a disease that little was known about in the 1990s. “When my sister was diagnosed 34 years ago, they told her to go home and rest. They had no treatments or real advice for her back then, but I wasn’t going to give up hope,” says Barry.
Within two years of her diagnosis, Lynne was using a wheelchair, and Barry was busy figuring out ways he could support his sister in her MS journey. From organizing annual scrap metal drives to volunteering his time to run an entire baseball league, Barry takes pride in the creative ways he’s fundraised for the MS community over the years, even if some ways are more challenging than others.
Every year since 1991, Barry’s participated in MS Bike, where he’s cycled thousands of kilometers—and burned thousands of calories—to raise money for the MS community. His first year riding he raised $750, a number that impressed his sister even back then. This past year, he raised a staggering $61,000.
“When I started, I hadn’t been on a bike since I got my first car, so those first couple of years were painful at times, to say the least,” he said. “But at the end of the day, riding that far on a bicycle, whether you’re used to it or not, is a lot easier than living with the disease we’re trying to cure.”
Harnessing the Power of Community
One of his most notable—and successful—initiatives has been a local tradition that residents of East London, Ontario are all too happy to support. For the past 16 years, Barry and the owner of the Eastside Bar and Grill, George Karigan, have hosted a weekly 50/50 draw raising more than $590,000 in support of Canadians living with MS, and the duo have never missed a week.
And in December 2023, his persistence paid off when his lifetime fundraising total surpassed $1 million during a 50/50 draw at the bar, which also marked the anniversary of Lynne’s passing. The event drew significant publicity and support, helping him surpass his lifetime goal. A goal he knew he’d reach; it was just a matter of time.
Barry’s story has inspired thousands of people to get out and fundraise themselves. Not only have his fundraising efforts played a significant role in improving the lives of those living with MS, but they’ve also made a huge difference to his immediate family, including his daughter, Amanda, who couldn’t be more proud of what he’s accomplished.
“I’m so proud of everything my dad has done to reach this milestone on both a personal and professional level,” says Amanda. “He’s always taught me, you sign up, you show up. I’ve lived by these words my whole life and it’s clear he has too.”
A Win for the Entire MS Community
Barry knows he won’t be the one to discover a cure, but he firmly believes in the importance of supporting the researchers who might. Since Lynne's diagnosis more than 30 years ago, significant progress has been made in understanding the causes and underlying mechanisms behind MS—bringing the MS community that much closer to finding a cure. Research breakthroughs and policy milestones that wouldn’t be possible without the help of passionate advocates and fundraisers like Barry.
And while a million dollars might seem like an unattainable goal for most, Barry’s the first to admit that with a strong purpose, persistence only grows stronger with time. A persistence that won’t stop until a world free of MS is a reality.
“We’re still working and doing this together. In her memory, and in honour of the over 90,000 Canadians who are living with MS right now, we’re not going to stop here, that’s for sure,” he said.
Join Barry on his journey to finding a cure and sign up for one of 12 MS Bike events taking place across the country in the upcoming year.
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