Tour de Scottsdale

When the HonorHealth Tour de Scottsdale came on the radar of Bike MS: Arizona, it took only a moment or two to say, “we are in!”

It was a natural to participate in an event that promotes cycling and good health. In fact, the two rides are perfect bookends to great cycling in the Valley, given one is in April and the other in the fall.

“Bike MS: Arizona is in the fall, and a lot of our riders are looking for a spring ride they can participate in and enjoy,” said Chris Marshall, President, National MS Society Arizona-New Mexico. “Tour de Scottsdale was a beloved event by so much of the cycling community, and we are excited it is back. We hope a few riders will participate in Tour de Scottsdale on behalf of the National MS Society. And we will be well-positioned to promote Tour de Scottsdale to our Bike MS cyclists for 2025, and to encourage riders to support both events.”

Respect begets respect. What would this world be without partnerships on any level?

So, there Bike MS: Arizona will be on April 13 for the ride and Expo. They will be one of the many nonprofits at the event, now celebrating the 20th year. It took a hiatus for the COVID year but is coming back strong.

Others see that and are joining in. They will be at the Expo on Friday and Saturday, sharing information about MS and the National MS Society where they will be promoting Bike MS: Arizona. 

“As a leading nonprofit organization in the Valley representing a large constituency of cyclists through our signature Bike MS event, we feel it is important for us to participate, promote and have a presence at Tour de Scottsdale,” Marshall said. “We not only try to increase awareness of Multiple Sclerosis and the services we provide but also look to collaborate with the local cycling community whenever possible. We also have a strong and growing partnership with HonorHealth and their Neurology/MS Center so we were excited to see them involved as the Presenting Sponsor.”

Awareness is key, especially at a “popular and high-visibility event” like Scottsdale’s, Marshall said.

According to Marshall, there are about 20,000 people in the Arizona-New Mexico Chapter living with MS and roughly 1 million nationwide.

“We have found that about 60 percent of those living with MS have connected with the National MS Society in some capacity and we look to continue to increase our reach,” he added. “The Society provides important programs, services, education, advocacy and healthcare access to people in our MS community, and we hope everyone who is affected by MS knows about the resources available. Additionally, we are leading world-class research efforts that are discovering more disease modifying therapies and ultimately our mission is to cure MS.”

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