American Birkebeiner

Join Birkie Skiers for Cures in the Movement with the Multiple Sclerosis Society in the "Stop MS In Its Tracks." Participants in the 50K American Birkebeiner® sponsored by Becker Law Office and the 54K Birkie® Classic, 23K Kortelopet sponsored by Marshfield Clinic-Hayward Center, and the Prince Haakon 12K sponsored by State Bank of Drummond can collect donations and raise awareness for Multiple Sclerosis.

In the past three years Birkie Skiers for Cures has raised over $220,000 for the National MS Society.

Thousands of skiers and spectators participated in the 2011 Birkie Skiers for Cures program by purchasing pins or collecting donations for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. This year’s program raised more than $62,000 for MS research, bringing the three year total to more than $220,000 raised for the Society’s research through Skiers for Cures.

Over the past year life-altering therapies including oral drug therapies have become available for people with MS, thanks in large part to donations from people like those who contribute to Skiers for Cures. The money raised will be used for research to bring us closer to a cure for this chronic, often debilitating disease that attacks the central nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves.

This year, prizes were awarded to 47 Birkie skiers as they crossed the finish line wearing a Skiers for Cures pin. A special thank you goes out to all of the sponsors who generously donated prizes. Donors included Becker Law, New Moon, Lakewoods Resort, Salomon, Fischer, Wheel & Sprocket, Rossingnol, Bike Doctor, Berkley Running Store, Endurance House, Erehwon, Fast Wax, Fontana, Outdoor Ventures, REI, Riverbrook, Rutabaga, Swix, Toko, Gear West, Cross Country Skier Magazine and the American Birkebeiner.

“What a remarkable weekend. For the third straight year we were overwhelmed by the support given to multiple sclerosis research by the American Birkebeiner, Birkie skiers and the numerous businesses that donated to Skiers for Cures,” said Colleen Kalt, president and CEO of the National MS Society – Wisconsin Chapter. “The generous spirit they have demonstrated will play a critical role in improving lives and bringing a cure closer for more than 2.5 million people worldwide who live every day with this challenging disease. Our heartfelt thanks to the Birkie Board of Directors, the dedicated Birkie volunteers, executive director Ned Zuelsdorff and his outstanding staff, and the wonderful sponsors, who make this partnership possible.”

The top five fundraisers for this year’s Birkie Skiers for Cures were:

1. Ian Duncan
2. Glenn Coenen
3. James Miller
4. Ben Creagh
5. Kay Lum

Dr. Duncan, an MS researcher and scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, was top fundraiser for the third straight year. Top five fundraisers received entries into the 2012 American Birkebeiner, Bjorn Daehlie merchandise and entries into a drawing for a trip to Norway for every $250 they raised.

Anyone who donated or raised $250 was entered into the Norway trip drawing. The prize included entry for two into the 2012 Norwegian Birkebeiner, three nights lodging for two and an air travel voucher up to $1500. Kristin Friedrichs of Madison was winner of the fabulous trip.

Thanks to all the participants and donors. Thanks to Kay Lum for designing the Skiers for Cures pin and posters. A special thank you to Lakewoods Resort for providing lodging for the National MS Society!

The 2012 Birkie Skiers for Cures program will once again be supporting the National MS Society. Help us make it the biggest fundraising year yet!