Clark bikes for $11,000

Former Mt. Morris resident Karen Clark celebrated her 48th birthday last month by biking 159 miles to raise funds for multiple sclerosis.

Clark, the daughter of Joanne Miller, Oregon, and William Clark, Mt. Morris, was her team’s top fundraiser, securing more than $11,000 for taking the two-day ride Oct. 3 and 4 from Cherry Hill, N.J. to Ocean City, N.J.

She had set her goal at $10,000 for this year’s ride.

Clark’s 460-member team, Team Tania, raised more than $280,000 this year.

More than 7,000 riders, ranging in age from 8 to 84 participated this year in the annual Bike MS: City to Shore Ride sponsored by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and raised almost $5 million.

Funds raised by the bikers will be used for research to find a cure for the disease as well as providing programs which address the needs of those who suffer from it.

More than 400,000 Americans have MS, which is most frequently diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50.

“One of the highlights (of the ride) was meeting Tania Kincaid, who our team is named for and who was diagnosed with MS back in 1999,” Clark said.

She carried a list of names of people with MS with her on the ride.

Clark expressed her appreciation to everyone who donated money for her ride.

“I’m blessed to have my health and to be able to give to such a great cause. Thank you to my dad for reaching out to Ogle County residents with newspaper articles and sending me all the donations, which helped me reach my goal,” she said. “I have already signed up for next year’s MS City to Shore Ride and plan on setting my fund-raising goals even higher.”