As we enter National MS Awareness Month, Team Left Hand, a group of employees and friends dedicated to solving the riddle that is Multiple Sclerosis, is proud to announce reaching the $5 million fundraising milestone. Since 2008, the brewery-supported team of more than 600 cyclists and volunteers has been participating in multiple Bike MS rides across the country. Funds raised benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (the Society) in efforts to fund research, advocate for change, and help people with Multiple Sclerosis and their families live their best lives.
Team Left Hand’s eight regional groups participated in virtual rides in 2020 as Bike MS had to pivot from in-person rides during this unprecedented COVID-19 environment. As the Society enters its 75th year in 2021, the team will be taking these eight regional groups into eight rides, adding Tour to Tanglewood in the Carolinas, which are all currently scaled back to one-day events with staggered start times adhering to increased safety policies.
Entering their 14th year, Team Left Hand continues to grow to accomplish their mission to crush MS. “Our first year we raised $18,000 with 25 riders here in Colorado,” says Chris Lennert, National Team Left Hand Captain & COO of Left Hand Brewing. “At that time, I knew one person that had MS. Fast forward to 2021 and we now have eight teams with hundreds of riders across the country, and I personally know more than 100 people that fight MS every day.”
In 2019, Left Hand Brewing announced taking its support of the Society to the next level through a national sponsorship of Bike MS. Left Hand joined the Society’s national premier sponsor Primal in its support of the organization.
“The generosity of Team Left Hand helps ensure the National MS Society can continue fueling lifechanging breakthroughs for the 1 million people in the U.S. living with Multiple Sclerosis,” said Marisa Hull, Vice President of Bike MS for the National MS Society. “Their leadership and compassion is changing the world for people affected by MS.”
Team Left Hand’s vision is to keep building upon these positive steps toward solving the riddle that is MS. “I’ve shared a dream over the years,” said Lennert. “Ten teams and 1,000 riders raising more than $1 million a year, ultimately allowing people to lead better lives. Our three guiding principles of being Mission-Focused, Fundraising-Focused, and Growing our Teams will continue to drive us to make this a reality!”
Left Hand Brewing also brews a beer in honor of Team Left Hand to benefit the National MS Society. Wheels Gose ‘Round is a raspberry and lemon peel crushable ale that is refreshingly tart and crisp, the perfect companion after a bike ride.
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