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WASHINGTON, DC, October 18, 2004 – Ramon Sepulveda, 50, of Austin Texas, who was diagnosed with MS in 1998, recently received a Betaseron^® Champions of Courage (BCC) grant to help defray expenses for his bid to run 12 marathons in 12 months. He begins this athletic quest with the New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 7.

Sepulveda says he runs to show that people with MS can accomplish amazing things. “I run to encourage others who have MS to reach out and grasp their own dreams. This is something I can do to show others that maybe they, too, can do more,” says Sepulveda.

After the New York City Marathon on November 7, Sepulveda’s next races take place in Dallas (December); Houston (January 2005); Austin (February); Abilene, TX (March); Boston (The Boston Marathon -- April); Cleveland, (May); Estes Park, CO (June); Elma, WA (July); Waterloo, Canada (August); Denver (September); and finally Chicago (The Chicago Marathon, October, 2005).

‘12 in 12’ Becomes His Battle Cry

Sepulveda was devastated when he was first diagnosed with MS in 1998. He went to the doctor with what he thought was a pinched nerve, and left with a diagnosis that changed his life in every way imaginable. His symptoms currently range from numbness, to extreme muscle pain that travels all over his body, to partial blindness in one eye. The most difficult aspect for him has been the unpredictable nature of the disease – not knowing when he would have a set back. All of these symptoms plus the uncertainty of the disease have caused him depression and anxiety for periods of time.

Instead of remaining depressed, this grandfather who works as a water treatment operator decided to forge ahead with his life – to do things he had always dreamed of, but had never quite gotten around to doing. Sepulveda realized that in order to fight this disease, he needed to stay as active as possible and make the most of each day. He started daily workouts at the gym and on his road bike. He also took long-awaited trips with his family and spent more time with his children.

“My life made seismic changes when I was diagnosed,” says Sepulveda. “There is nothing like the uncertainty of MS to get you going. It is the reason I am experiencing life more.”

The idea to run his first marathon came to Sepulveda while he was climbing North America’s tallest mountain, Mt. Denali, in 2002. He was part of a mountaineering team who hoped to be the first group of people with a serious, chronic disease to climb one of the world’s tallest mountains independent of able-bodied guides or climbing companions. Extreme weather conditions forced an end to their bid for the summit, but clearly, Sepulveda was motivated to continue challenging himself.

Sepulveda trains with his wife who also deals with a chronic disease. Together they have hiked the Grand Canyon and have participated in many bike rides to raise money for MS research. He ran his first marathon with his wife in Austin, TX in 2003 and got hooked – soon he was planning to do ‘12 in 12.’

“Ramon is one of the most determined athletes with MS that I have ever met,” commented fellow mountain climber Eric Simons, who led the 2002 expedition and also serves as chairman of the Betaseron^® Champions of Courage program. “He has a tremendous amount to contribute and is taking action to motivate people with this disease. We are proud to support his efforts, regardless of whether he achieves his personal goals, because of his positive attitude and desire to inspire others.”

Betaseron^® Champions of Courage

Funded by a grant from Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the Betaseron^® Champions of Courage program recognizes the accomplishments of people with MS and provides grants to help them achieve their goals and inspire others. Since the program was introduced in 1999, more than 40 women and men have received grants to underwrite initiatives that have encouraged and helped 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 may range from numbness to paralysis and blindness. 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.

For more information about applying for a Betaseron^® Champions of Courage grant, visit www.championsofcourage.org, or call 1-202-363-3378.

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Contact:

Liz Garman Betaseron® Multiple Sclerosis Champions of CourageSM Telephone: 202/363-3378 E-Mail: info@championsofcourage.org

- Posted 10/17/04

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