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Iron Maidens Team Raises More Than $8,000 To Help Find A Cure

Dave Alfano

Taking part in the Aug. 8 MS Motorcycle Ride, Southington resident Dave Alfano, Iron Maidens & The Band of Brothers team member, rides his Big Dog K9 chopper leaves Cadillac Ranch for a 50-mile ride across Connecticut’s breathtaking countryside.

SOUTHINGTON, Conn. Led by grand Marshal Kevin Hogan, WFSB Eyewitness News Channel 3, the Iron Maidens & The Band of Brothers MS Motorcycle Ride team revved up with hundreds of other bikers Sunday, Aug. 3, for the eighth annual National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter MS Motorcycle Ride at Cadillac Ranch in Southington, Conn. The team also revved up its fundraising efforts, more than doubling that raised by the team in 2007.

Linda and Bob Hudson
Plantsville residents Linda and Bob Hudson ready to saddle for the eighth annual MS Motorcycle Ride Sunday, Aug. 3. The pair, riding for a loved one battling MS, rode on the Iron Maidens & The Band of Brothers MS Motorcycle Ride team.
“The support from our friends and family has been amazing,” said Karen Butler, Iron Maidens team captain and also vice president of communications at the Connecticut Chapter. “Initially, our goal was to double the $3,000 we raised last year. We are delighted to have exceeded our original goal by thousands. Believe it or not, we’re still receiving contributions even though the ride has since past. We all truly feel like we’re making a difference in the fight against MS. And that feels very good.”

The annual benefit ride, moved this year from Ellington to Southington, attracted bikers from as far away as Fairfield in southern Connecticut and Windham in northern Connecticut. Some rode for loved ones affected by multiple sclerosis, and others diagnosed with MS rode to be a part of the cure.

Lawrence “Chip” Slater, a resident of Windham, participated in the Aug. 3 ride. Although just in his twenties, Slater has been living with the effects of multiple sclerosis for a few years.

Iron Maidens Team members
Iron Maidens team members and Connecticut Chapter staff Lisa Cook, communications specialist; Karen Butler, team captain and department supervisor; Steve Annecharico, graphic designer; and Megan Alexander, public relations intern, enjoy the Cadillac Ranch festivities at the 8th annual MS Motorcycle Ride Sunday, Aug. 3.

“There are several medic ations on the market that actually slow progression of the disease,” said Slater, in an interview the day of the ride. “But there’s no actual cure yet. Researchers are working on it. So that’s why we’re here today to keep research moving forward.”

The 20-member Iron Maidens & Band of Brothers MS Motorcycle Ride team kicked off its fundraising efforts in May hosting the first Iron Maidens’ HOG Wild Pig Roast. The event raised more than $2,000. Since that time individual team members have urged family and friends to contribute. To date top five team fundraisers include Manchester resident Karen Butler, who has raised more than $4,000; Vernon resident Kiara Longo, who has raised more than $1,400; Manchester resident Sean Booska, who has raised almost $1,200; and Little Falls, N.J., resident Betsy Welch, who raised nearly $1,000.

Next year ’s National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter MS Motorcycle Ride will be again held in August. For more information, please visit http://www.ctfightsms.org/. To learn more about the Iron Maidens & The Band of Brothers MS Motorcycle Ride team, please contact Karen Butler at kbutler@ctfightsMS.org.

NOTE TO MEDIA
For More Information
Contact Karen Butler
Vice President of Communications
Phone: 860.714.2300, ext. 230
kbutler@ctfightsMS.org

 

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