Jonathan Allenger: A Man on a Mission

For over 20 years, Canadians have taken part in MS Bike to challenge themselves while raising money to support MS Canada’s work in research, community support and programming, and government advocacy. Every summer, individuals and teams get together to pedal towards a world free of MS. Individual events take place from coast to coast, from the Cowichan Valley, British Columbia to Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia. This year, one MS Bike cyclist is embarking on an inspiring journey: Jonathan Allenger has taken on the challenge of riding across Canada in support of MS Bike and Canadians affected by MS. We’re delving into Jonathan's mission and invite you to join him in spreading awareness and raising funds for the cause.

Jonathan Allenger is no stranger to the impact of MS. The day after hearing his son’s heartbeat for the first time, Jonathan received a diagnosis that would change his life. That day, he became one of 12 Canadians diagnosed with multiple sclerosis every day. Jonathan's personal connection fuels his unwavering commitment to make a positive change in the lives of those affected by MS. Already an avid cyclist and MS Bike participant, he is taking on this ambitious ride for the first time, travelling over 6,000 km from Vancouver, British Columbia to St. John’s, Newfoundland.

“Since my diagnosis, I’ve felt compelled to raise awareness and fundraise through these rides to support MS research and resources,” said Jonathan. “It’s not just for my own hope for a cure, but for the entire community that I’m a part of. In the ten years since my team has been fundraising for MS Canada through MS Bike events, we’ve raised over $150K. This time, I’m pushing to blow our previous fundraising efforts out of the water and spread awareness from coast to coast.”

Jonathan’s goal is to raise $1 million for MS research and support. Through this ambitious journey, he hopes to shine a spotlight on the challenges faced by individuals living with MS every day, and the incredible strength the MS community shares.

The Journey

Jonathan's cross-Canada voyage will take him through the country’s stunning and diverse landscapes over the course of roughly two months. His trip, which started on Sunday, May 7 in Vancouver BC, will have key stops in cities including Calgary, Winnipeg, Thunder Bay, Toronto, Montreal, and Moncton. Jonathan’s efforts aim to create a ripple effect, encouraging others to become advocates and supporters in the fight against MS. That’s where you come in.

We’re inviting you to #JourneyWithJonathan to help make a difference. Follow along with Jonathan’s journey right here on the MS Blog, on Jonathan’s social media, and via Jonathan’s website. You can donate, ride alongside Jonathan, or follow his lead and join your local (or virtual!) community at one of our MS Bike events this summer!

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We’re so excited to be following Jonathan on this journey and look forward to hearing and sharing his stories from the road. We hope his journey serves as a catalyst for change, proving that one pedal stroke at a time, we can create a brighter future together. See you in the next post where we’ll share updates from the road!