It all started with one. And her power to encourage.

Our Story

The Trifest for MS triathlon, the largest triathlon in Arkansas, draws people from all over the country to Bentonville to raise money for multiple sclerosis research.

The Rampy MS Research Foundation hosts the event and each year the race raises almost $100,000 towards multiple sclerosis research in Arkansas at UAMS, Northwestern University in Chicago and University of California at San Francisco (UCSF). Since 2012, the Trifest for MS and other foundation activities have raised close to $900,000.

“Most people don’t realize research doctors actually have to raise a lot of money themselves to fund their research,” race founder Scott Rampy told Fox 24 News. “So we would rather keep scientists in their lab coats studying the disease and figuring out how to cure it versus raising money for their research.”

His wife, Jo Rampy was diagnosed with the disease about 20 years ago. She said the organization is a good way to show other people living with the condition, that they’re not alone.

“This illness is progressive,” Jo Rampy said. “We can get lost in that progressiveness. But we don’t. We take our energy and our time, and we place it into a cause that can help others.”

Watch the Video of Our Story

 Our Team

Scott Rampy

President & Chief Advancement Officer

Inspired by love and motivated by progress, Scott is an avid fundraiser and advocate for the advancement of MS research. A three-time varsity athlete in college and an amateur triathlete today, Scott has set a vision and outlined a strategy for bringing encouragement to the MS community. A champion of healthy living and respected business leader, Scott invites all to get involved and take part in ending multiple sclerosis.

Jo Rampy

Chief Encouragement Officer

Born an athlete who earned a full-ride, volleyball scholarship, Jo Rampy was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis 10 years ago. Upon the news, Jo set a goal of completing a 5k. She completed a 10k instead and never looked back. In 2012, she completed her first triathlon, a TRI2Encourage course, which spurred the creation of our Foundation, moved a community, and inspired a movement.

Ruth Sawkins

Trifest for MS Race Director

Having served as Co-Race Director or Director since 2013, Ruth brings her energy and suburb race directing acumen back for another year. She started Rufus Racing, a 200+ member endurance team based in Joplin, Missouri. Ruth’s main passion is to introduce people to endurance sports because she loves helping people realize that and reach their goals.

Medical Review Board

We want to change the game—or at least, be a catalyst in directing MS research dollars toward a cure. Building on our long-standing commitment to the University of Arkansas-Medical Science (UAMS), we established a Medical Review Board to help us identify and support MS researchers focused on remyelination—the believed pathway to a cure within the scientific community.

At current, finding a cure is a numbers game. A cure is only so close as research monies that get directed to discovering it. While research has progressed to help people live with this disease, we imagine a world where people don’t have to.

 

Robert L. Archer, M.D.

Dr. Robert L. Archer is a professor of neurology at the Jackson T. Stephens Spine and Neurosciences Institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). He works hard to provide relief to patients dealing with neurological challenges from multiple sclerosis (MS). He completed his medical degree at UAMS and later served a neurology residency here as well. Dr. Archer is board certified in neurology by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.


Paul D. Drew, PhD

Dr. Drew conducts research in the field of Neuroimmunology. Normally, immune activity in the brain is limited. However, in diseases including multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and alcohol abuse activated immune cells are observed in the brain. These immune cells produce cytokines which may be toxic to brain cells as well as chemokines which direct cells to sites of inflammation, resulting in neuropathology. Dr. Drew’s research involves modern cellular and molecular biology techniques..


Patricia A. Wight, PhD

Dr. Wright’s lab research is centered on CNS development, particularly with regard to the formation and maintenance of myelin. Myelin is the tightly compacted multilamellar sheath that surrounds axons and promotes saltatory conduction of nerve impulses..

Board of Directors

 

Scott Rampy

President

 

Jo Rampy

Member-at-Large

 

Brittney Skelton

Member-at-Large

Alex Bornkessel

Vice Chair

 

Blake Bornkessel

Member-at-Large

Ryan Dagley

Finance Chair

 

Susan Stegeman

Member-at-Large

Sonya Jin

Secretary

Channing Barker

Member-at-Large

 

Rick Rogers

Member-at-Large

2023 Events