Dr. Vanek completed the 150 mile trek over Saturday and Sunday this past weekend in the Bike MS: Pedal to the Point 2014 fundraising event. Riders from near and far raised money together to help fund Multiple Sclerosis research. Dr. Vanek raised over $4,000 for this worthy effort and would like to thank everyone for their kind thoughts, supportive encouragement, and generous donations to this cause.
Dr. Vanek was recently asked why he’s interested in helping this organization. Here’s his response:
It has touched me since I was an EMT at age 16. I picked up a mother from my paper route on our volunteer ambulance in my little town of Tuscarora, PA. She couldn’t speak or move. Years later I realized she was stricken with MS. I saw these people with pressure sores and they were robbed of their abilities physically. I’m able to do something because I have physical abilities. My great friend introduced me to the MS 150 in 2003 and I rode my first time with him. His name is Ron Cola. We rode each year together and trained together. Ron died of pancreatic cancer in 2010.
I think of him, my blessings, and my patients. They inspire me to be better.
Thank you for asking.
Paul
Click Here to visit Dr. Vanek’s donation page! Here are a few photos from the event!
