Dallas Woman With MS Will Participate in Olympic Torch Relay
Washington, DC, December 5, 2001 – Pam Hensley, a 47-year-old Dallas resident and avid cyclist who has battled multiple sclerosis (MS) for nine years, is one of the 11,500 Americans selected to carry the Olympic Flame as it travels across America. Hensley will carry the torch through Dallas on December 12.
Hensley began bicycling seven years ago, shortly after being diagnosed with MS. An enthusiastic climber and camper, Pam knew the value of an active lifestyle and naturally turned to exercise to help her cope with this disease. She found that while walking was an effort, she could bike for many miles, letting her weaker leg rest while she pedaled with the stronger leg.
Soon, she was hooked, and began participating in MS 150 rides, the two-day bicycle tours covering 150 miles that benefit the National MS Society. Since the summer of 2000, Hensley has ridden in 16 MS 150 rides in cities across the country to inspire and motivate others with MS.
“I will not let MS get me down,” declares Pam. “I’m fighting MS every way that I can. I’m hoping that my success will motivate others with this disease to be more active.”
Pam’s bike tour expenses were funded in part by Betaseron® Champions of Courage, (www.championsofcourage.org), a program supported by Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc. that recognizes the accomplishments of people with MS and provides support for their inspirational activities. “We are honored to have been able to support Pam’s inspiring effort,” says Eric Simons, chairman of the Champions of Courage program. “We hope her story will encourage others.”
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that randomly attacks the central nervous system, affecting the brain and spinal cord, wearing away control over the body. Symptoms can include extreme fatigue, numbness of limbs, muscle spasms, difficulty walking, loss of balance, vision and speech problems and psychological changes. Though no cure yet exists, there are now therapies available that can impact underlying disease course as well as manage symptoms. MS affects more than a third of a million people in the U.S. alone, with someone being newly diagnosed virtually each hour.
