- From the Community
- April 24, 2026
Small Acts, Big Impact: Meet the Volunteers Behind MS Bike
Connection often begins with a simple act—showing up. At MS Bike, simple acts create meaningful change, bringing volunteers and the MS community together to raise funds and bring us closer to a world free of MS. Each year, our volunteers welcome riders, keep routes running smoothly, cheer participants across the finish line, and so much more.
It’s their positive spirit and encouragement that creates a welcoming space and reminds anyone living with MS that they aren’t alone. Keep reading to hear from three MS Bike volunteers whose stories highlight the impact that showing up can make.
Meet Erik
Growing up, Erik watched his mom, Kristine, navigate her MS diagnosis—which often affected her daily life. “As a young kid, it was hard to grasp what an MS diagnosis meant,” said Erik. “Some days were more challenging for my mom. There were times when she needed help walking, had vision problems, and lost feeling in her hands and legs.” Through it all, Kristine was passionate about giving back to her community and showed Erik firsthand the impact volunteering could have.
Inspired by his mom’s passion for helping others, Erik volunteered at MS Bike - Leduc to Camrose with Kristine in 2018. His dad, Tristan, was riding for the second year, so it was a true family event! His most memorable moment was watching his dad leave the start line and then driving with his mom to Camrose to see him cross the finish line.
Erik has continued to volunteer at MS Bike year after year. From serving food, to loading bikes, to running information desks, he’s always ready to step in wherever needed. For Erik, it’s become a place to connect with other families affected by MS and make a difference. “The spirit of the community always shines. Everyone involved is happy to be there and support one another,” he shared. It’s also become something he looks forward to every summer, reconnecting with familiar faces from past events and deepening his understanding of MS.
Today, volunteering for MS Bike is Erik’s way of carrying on his mother’s legacy, as she sadly passed away in 2025. Continuing a tradition that brought Kristine so much joy is incredibly important to him. It’s also an opportunity to raise awareness and funds for MS research. Reflecting on the importance of MS Bike, he said, “Without these events, many people wouldn’t know the impact MS has on families. Fundraising, increased awareness, and community support make a real difference and the progress being made in MS research is encouraging.”
Volunteering for MS Bike has left a lasting impression on Erik and is something he hopes to get his whole family involved with in the future. He also encourages anyone considering volunteering for MS Bike to take the leap, “There’s a wonderful group of people that organize these events. The volunteers and riders are always friendly and motivated to make a difference. It’s a welcoming and cheerful atmosphere, and the sense of community is empowering and uplifting.”
Meet Leanne
After experiencing unexplained symptoms for more than a decade, Leanne was diagnosed with MS in 2023. While she finally had some answers, the words were still hard to hear and left her feeling both relieved and uncertain. She made a promise to herself that she wouldn’t let her diagnosis define her, saying, “Over time, I learned that my diagnosis wasn’t something to overcome. Rather than fight it, I accept it, acknowledge it, and live WITH it.” Inspired to share her story, she began volunteering to connect with others and bring more awareness to MS.
Before her MS diagnosis, Leanne was an avid cyclist and rode in the Tour de Cure for the BC Cancer Foundation in support of family and friends. Making the switch to MS Bike was a natural next step for her. One of her proudest moments was when she completed the ride in 2024, despite a rough first day of rain and cold temperatures.
When she began experiencing nerve and back pain, Leanne’s neurologist removed cycling from her list of approved exercises. “I was devastated, but my husband and riding partner stepped in and put together a team to ride in my honour. I decided that if I couldn’t ride, I was still going to be involved in any way I could,” she said.
Leanne facilitates two MS support groups, is an MS Ambassador, and volunteers at MS Bike – Chilliwack. For Leanne, MS Bike creates a deep connection between those living with MS, like herself, and the community. “MS doesn’t just touch the person diagnosed with it; it affects everyone who cares for that person. As someone living with MS, volunteering helps me give back to my community, and it’s amazing to see everyone come out to support others,” she shared.
For Leanne, a typical MS Bike weekend starts with setting up, decorating, registering riders, cheering on participants, and more. Last year, Leanne was invited to speak during the opening ceremonies, sharing her experience navigating her MS journey. The support and positive feedback she received from riders and fellow speakers is something she’ll never forget.
When thinking about community members who’ve helped shape her journey, she recalls meeting another couple volunteering at MS Bike who gave her a new outlook on life with MS. “The way this fellow volunteer supported his wife, who lives with MS, made me realize that my husband and I are a team, we’re in this together, and it’s okay to ask for help when I need it,” she said.
The impact of MS Bike reaches far beyond those participating in the event. It raises more awareness and funds for MS research while helping people better understand what it means to live with MS. Leanne sees this impact firsthand in the conversations she has about MS in her community. As she explains, “It’s always surprising to me how many people know someone living with MS but also know so little about it. MS Bike brings people together; volunteers meet people living with MS and those living with MS get to connect with people who support them.”
The sense of community and dedication from other riders motivates Leanne to continue volunteering. “Many of our riders live with MS, and it’s inspiring to see them ride off in the morning and return with smiles and pure joy on their faces!” she shared. “After seeing how many people show up in support of the MS community, it makes me want to get involved even more. I feel such a sense of pride and inclusion when I see the riders, walkers, and volunteers supporting each other.”
Meet Andrea
Andrea was diagnosed with MS in 2021 after months of testing that started when she experienced numbness in her arm and leg. MS hadn’t been on her radar. “I was almost 50, nobody in my family had MS, and it honestly wasn’t something I had considered as a possibility,” she says. “The team at the BARLO MS Centre were so good and compassionate when sharing the news with me. They provided support from the very beginning. They helped take a lot of the fear away from the start and I really appreciated that.”
That same year, inspired by her experience and the support she received, Andrea and her family found a way to give back by getting involved with MS Bike. “Right away my husband said, ‘There’s an MS Bike ride. We’re doing it,’” she recalls. “I laughed and told him I wasn’t riding a bike. I had only just started walking again. But it wasn’t me he was signing up. It was him and his brother. Without hesitation, they both committed to doing the ride and that meant everything to me.”
Their MS Bike team, Rusty Gears, inspired by Andrea’s nickname, was born. While her husband and brother-in-law took on the ride, Andrea supported them from the sidelines and also ended up connecting with some volunteers at the registration table. “The community at the Grand Bend event is just fabulous,” she says. “I ended up staying to help out, and it was the start of something really special.”
Since that first event in 2021, MS Bike weekend has become a full tradition for Andrea and her family. Each year, they rent a cottage in Grand Bend where riders and volunteers spend the weekend together, sharing meals and preparing for the ride ahead. Andrea helps with Friday night registration, then joins the team for a big dinner. On Saturday, she brings riders to the start line and spends the day providing support, helping participants navigate routes and stop locations. By Sunday, she’s back at the finish line, welcoming riders and assisting with the barbecue. “I make a personalized loot bag for each team member all by hand to make it special,” she explained.
For Andrea, some of the most memorable moments come from the connections she forms with others. “One year, I was telling a woman about how my left hand slides off the handlebar and how I’d fallen off my bike because of it. She told me, ‘I know exactly what you need,’ and tracked down my husband during a stop to give him a hand grip that would help me. I don’t even know her name, but things like that happen every single year,” she reflected. Andrea also treasures the moments shared with her own family. “Seeing my kids cross the finish line means so much. I get emotional just thinking about it. Honestly, the whole MS Bike weekend is one big memory each year. We celebrate before, during, and after. It’s something we always look forward to.”
Andrea is proud of how her team has grown since 2021. What started with just two riders has expanded to eight registered for 2026, and their team has raised nearly $15,000 for the MS community. “We’re not a corporate team, we don’t have a big sponsor. It’s purely a labour of love,” she says.
The sense of community at MS Bike is what keeps Andrea coming back to volunteer every year. “The energy when you drive into the registration area, there’s just a buzz in the air. People are genuinely excited to be there,” she shares. “I love that it’s not about how fast you finish. Nobody’s comparing times. Some people can’t finish the ride, and that’s okay. It’s about what we’re all doing together.”
Reflecting on her experience, Andrea shared, “When I talk to people at events, they’re sometimes surprised that I volunteer. They say, ‘You have MS and you still do this?’ My message to them would be even if you have mobility issues, even if you’re tired, don’t let volunteering for the MS community become something that only other people do on your behalf. Find the smallest way you can get involved, because when you connect with this community, the benefit to you personally is enormous!”
For anyone considering volunteering for MS Bike, Andrea encourages them to simply take the step. “It doesn’t matter if you don’t know anyone because by the end of your first shift, you will,” she says. “You don’t even have to commit to the whole MS Bike weekend. Pick one shift. But I guarantee if you do one shift, the next year you’ll want to be there for the whole weekend!”
For Andrea and her family, MS Bike has become more than an event. It’s a way to stay connected, celebrate resilience, and support the community year after year. “Seeing our team grow and seeing the joy it brings our family strengthens our commitment to each other. I just don’t think MS Bike will ever not be a part of our lives.”
Our volunteers are the heart of our community and we’re truly grateful for everything they do! Are you interested in joining our incredible team of volunteers and making an impact? Click here to explore our current volunteer opportunities.
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