Photo courtesy of Tom Caron. Marshall’s Tom Caron (right) and wife Lori Caron (left) take a photo together before Tom embarks on a previous Ride Across Minnesota with Bike MS. Tom will be biking in this year’s event again for his 19th ride.

MARSHALL — In just a few days, Marshall’s Thomas Caron will be embarking on his 19th Ride Across Minnesota with Bike MS, a five-day bike ride to raise awareness for Multiple Sclerosis (MS). He continues to participate in the yearly fundraiser to support those close to him, with a family history of MS.

MS is an autoimmune condition that affects the central nervous system, in which the immune system attacks the protective covering of nerves. The disease results in nerve damage that disrupts communication between the brain and body.

“We started (participating in Bike MS) in 2006, and that was the same summer that my uncle had died of MS,” Caron said. “I’ve got quite a family history with it … My grandmother on my dad’s side had MS and died of it. Then her son, my uncle, had it and then died of it. Then, his daughter, my cousin, Sandy, has it. Now, my spouse has it, Lori, she’s had it for almost a little over 40 years already. She’s probably the main reason why I continue to do so, and raise funds, donations and try to raise awareness for everybody out there.”

Bike MS is a fundraiser that hosts several rides across the U.S. throughout the year in effort to raise money and awareness for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

“It’s something everybody can do. It doesn’t take an athlete, or it doesn’t take special equipment to do … Anybody can do it,” Caron said. “I think with me being a caregiver of someone with MS is especially meaningful. I just want to get that word out there … There are more people in southwest Minnesota that have MS than we realize. I want to reach out to those individuals as well and say that, ‘Hey, there is something going on here in this part of the state.'”

The Ride Across Minnesota takes place every July in a different part of the state, and is coming to Marshall this year, allowing Caron the opportunity to travel around his local neighborhoods.

“Each year is in a different location. Last year, we were in the eastern part of the state around the Red Wing area along the Mississippi River … They try to move it around and accommodate different locations and different people, rather than having one set location,” Caron said. “But, this one is in our home court.”

“Because it is kind of close for us, my daughters will hopefully be able to ride with me on part of the ride,” Caron added, also noting that Lori will support him on his ride and explore the towns they are biking to.

Bikers taking part in the MS ride work to fundraise for the event, with all proceeds going to the National MS Society.

Caron is off to a strong fundraising start, currently sitting in second place of 270 participants as of Tuesday with over $11,000 raised for this year’s race.

“We are trying to (find) ways to raise donations and raise money for those (with MS), and to bring awareness for equipment, educational materials and things like that,” Caron said. “I’m in second place. Last year, I was at about $14,000 and each year I try to increase by $1,000 or $2,000, so my goal this year is $15,000.”

Collectively, the Ride Across Minnesota event has so far raised over $320,000 of its $450,000 goal.

Those looking to donate and support a participant for the Minnesota ride can do so online at events.nationalmssociety.org/events/2269.

Caron and his fellow participants will take off from the Red Baron Arena on Monday, with the start line opening at 6:30 a.m.

The ride includes stops in Granite Falls, to and around Willmar, and back to Marshall.

“It’s fun to go to different towns and take in the local attractions, the local eateries and restaurants. It’s really a good way to find some different areas around the round state of Minnesota,” Caron said. “That’s the fun part, to see the communities and how much they support you when you come in, That’s really special.”

The Ride Across Minnesota is the only five-day event in the Bike MS series, and Caron noted that training mainly comes to getting a comfortable feel for the bike.

“It’s not really a cardio thing. It’s more getting used to sitting on your bike for four to five hours at a time. It’s really a punishment on your shoulders, your neck, your hands and your arms,” Caron said. “They have really good rest stops … So, it’s just a matter of getting on that bike and trying to do the duration of the day.”

Nearing two decades of participating in the ride, Caron continues to hold the meaning of supporting those living with MS and his family close to him, as he treks through the roads of Minnesota.

“I think it’s the satisfaction of you going out and through each day, and you try to see what it’s like for those with MS,” Caron said. “It’s only a week for us, but these people who are diagnosed with MS, it’s their lifetime. They struggle with this every day, so it just gives me an opportunity to kind of feel what they’re feeling and what they’re going through, and just trying to raise money for awareness.”