Why We Fight MS...

Having multiple sclerosis means that you may not be able to walk when you wake up. Or that you may suddenly go blind. The symptoms of MS are different for everyone - the only certainty is that it will affect yet another person every hour of every day.

I have been lucky enough to have this disease and live a very full life. While MS has certainly affected me both physically and emotionally, I am able to do almost anything I want - including participating in a Triathlon.

Unfortunately, not everyone with MS is so fortunate.

David Kelleher's Bio

I formed this team in 2005 and we have since raced at "Memphis in May" and at Pacific Crest for a number of reasons. The primary objective is to increase awareness of MS and raise money for research.
Over the past three events we have had a great time, raced well and raised over $100,000 - all of which went directly to MS research.

After graduating from Duke in 1994, I was commissioned as an Infantry officer in the US Army, While in the Army, I was a Ranger and a Platoon Leader in an Airborne Battalion in Vicenza, Italy. Prior to deployment to Bosnia in late 1995, I woke up one morning with severe double-vision. After a few months of tests, I was diagnosed with MS. I've had plenty of exacerbations including temporary paralysis of each arm and each leg, temporary blindness, and chronic numbness. These exacerbations were treated with high-dose steroids. As a result of the steroid treatments, I also suffered from a debilitating hip disease - avascular necrosis of the femoral head. Rather than have total hip replacement surgery, I went through a fairly revolutionary surgery called a free-vascularized fibular graft. The surgery involves surgeons removing a 4-inch section of the fibula (lower leg bone) and grafting the bone to the femoral head (ball of the hip). This grafting procedure then revascularizes the hip bone, and the previously collapsed bone grows back. These surgeries required me to be on crutches for a full year and motivated me even more to get back into some challenging athletic endeavors. I also had a total hip replacement surgery in December 2007. Despite the intermittent MS-related symptoms and my 3 hip surgeries, I have remained very active and will be one of the racers at Pacific Crest. Needless to say, this event has great personal significance to me and my family.

I also serve on the Board of Trustees for the Oregon Chapter of the National MS Society. It is through this role that I have been able to face the disease and better understand its impact on so many people.

I know what you're thinking...how can I possibly complete a triathlon when I can barely run two miles? You're not alone! Our team members range from those who have never competed in any type of race to Ironman triathlon finishers and even people who have MS. Race participants can choose to do any number of events (triathlon, duathlon, marathon) or form a relay teams where one person does the swim, another the bike, etc. Everyone is welcome and the event should be a great time! Whether you are interested in racing, raising money, donating your life's savings or just showing up in Bend, OR to celebrate, we'd love to have you join us.

100% of all donations go to research

The cause of MS is unknown

There is no cure for MS

Every dollar contributed to this event will go directly to research; research that will:

- lead to an understanding of the cause
- find a cure as quickly as possible
- reverse the damaging effects of MS

Please join our team in funding very important and impactful research into this frustrating and debilitating disease.