Our Mission
We advance MS research. In the process, we bring encouragement to the MS community and beyond. Our foundation hosts several programs: The Trifest for MS, Fundracer for MS, Gravelfest for MS, Kid’s Splash and Dash, Disco Gala for MS and Run the Check for MS. Our beneficiaries are UAMS, Northwestern University and University of California at San Francisco
To date, we have raised close to $900,000 for MS research to the leading researchers mentioned above.
“Never underestimate the power of a small group of
committed people to change the world…it is the only
thing that ever has.” —Margaret Mead
Our Commitment
We are dedicated to funding the very best MS research in the US. As of today, we count 3 research scientist institutions to our roster of doctors we have on the front lines, uncovering the best research and trials to lead to a cure.
Where We’re Going
The Rampy MS Research Foundation is currently a partner of the UAMS, Northwestern University and University of California at San Francisco. We are committed to adding 2 additional leading research scientists over the next 2 years to continue the work in the U.S.
Over the past five years, you’ve helped us:
• Ensure racer registration fees go directly to research.
• Give 68% of all funds raised to research.
• Achieve our $250,000 commitment to MS research at UAMS in 2018.
• Establish the Rampy MS Research Lab in 2018.
• Be recognized as a premiere community partner by UAMS.
• Change lives by encouraging an active, healthy lifestyle.
• Earn bragging rights as the ‘Top Triathlon in the South’ by Competitor Magazine.
• Be named a finalist for Best Large Triathlon and Best Triathlon for Beginners in the United States by Triathlon Business International.
• Touch thousands of women, men and kids with the power of encouragement.
We hope to expand the Trifest for MS into other communities across the United States. If interested, contact our President, Scott Rampy, at scott@researchms.org.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive and unpredictable disease of the central nervous system that disrupts communication between the brain and other parts of the body. The severity of the disease and its symptoms vary from person to person. The cause of MS is unknown and although there are treatments that can slow disease progression, at this time there is no known cure.
Message from Dr. Ari Green and Dr. Jonah Chan at UCSF showing our direct contribution to MS research
Source: Healthline Networks 2014
Facts about MS:
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Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive and unpredictable disease of the central nervous system that disrupts communication between the brain and other parts of the body. The severity of the disease and its symptoms vary from person to person. While the cause of MS is unknown and although there are treatments that can slow disease progression, there is no known cure at this time.
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MS is most commonly diagnosed in young adults with 2.5 million people affected worldwide. Over 400,000 Americans have MS and another 200 are diagnosed every week. 80% of MS patients develop MS between the ages of 16 and 45. Women are more frequently diagnosed with MS by at least 2 to 1. MS is the leading cause of disability in young women and the second leading cause of disability in young men.
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The nerve fibers in the central nervous system are protected and made more effective by a fatty substance, myelin, which helps the nerve fibers conduct electrical impulses to and from the brain. MS produces injury in the central nervous system when the immune system mistakenly attacks myelin. Areas of myelin damage are known as plaques, or lesions, and these eventually fill in with scar tissue. The name multiple sclerosis means “many scars.” MS can also cause destruction of the entire nerve.
The damage from lesions disrupts the transmission of nerve impulses from the central nervous system to the rest of the body causing a variety of symptoms. Common symptoms include visual changes, muscle weakness, problems with balance, fatigue, numbness, and emotional and cognitive changes, but there are many others. MS has periods when the disease is quite active known as exacerbations. During exacerbations symptoms can be more pronounced, but usually subside and sometimes go away after an exacerbation.
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MS has a significant emotional and physical impact on the quality of life of those who have it as well as their families. Seventy percent of people living with MS have a level of impairment from the disease that interferes with at least one essential daily task. After 10 years of disease, 70% of people with MS will not be working outside the home. After 15 years, 50% will require at least a cane to walk. 30% will eventually need to use a wheelchair.
Because individuals are diagnosed and become symptomatic during their most productive years, the financial cost for the individual and for society can be staggering. Direct costs are high. The medications used to treat MS cost between $20,000 and $30,000 per year and the cost for treatment of a disease flare-up is estimated at $12,870. MS also has high indirect costs— from lost wages to under or unemployment. The direct and indirect costs of MS are now estimated at $57,500 per patient per year. The total lifetime costs associated with MS for an individual is estimated at $2.2 million.
Our History and Our Why
Our founders first started advocating for MS research and awareness back in 2004 working with the MS Institute in Columbia, Missouri. In 2007, we started a volunteer organization called MS Quest. MS Quest hosted a variety of events including Bentonville’s 2007 Dinner of Champions honoring Dick Trammel, in partnership with the National MS Society.
The creation of the Rampy MS Research Foundation in November of 2011 was an extension of these efforts that stemmed from our desire to grow from free agent fundraisers to full force advocates of encouragement and investors in a cure.
2024
Established the Luke Williyard Para Division in honor of 9 year participate Luke in the para program that is a part of the Trifest for MS lineup. Luke brought inspiration to our entire community and will continue his legagy through this new race division. The Run the Check event raised it’s historic record by raising $65,275 in 36 hours.
2023
Through the efforts of all the foundation events, we gave $90,000 to our MS research partners. The Trifest for MS in partnership with Heartland Racing from Springfield, MO established a new race series and reimagined a new race in Columbia, MO called TriZou for MS. We started a new philanthropy event called the Disco Ball for MS and officially entered the gala circuit in Northwest Arkansas with this first year effort, raising over $8,000 for MS research.
2022
Trifest for MS welcomed two Olympians to our race, Haley Danz representing team USA in the para division and Sara True in the AG division. Both are great ambassadors to the sport and enhanced the excitement of racing at Trifest for MS. Trifest for MS was recognized by the readers of Celebrate Arkansas magazine as the best event in the area for the event and gala category.
2021
Team Endurace for MS welcomed 140 cause racers and raised the most since forming this endurance club, raising $70,000. We started a new event called the Trikefest for MS with the goal of attracting and retaining the recumbent bike rider using and biking across the NWA greenway system. This was the last year for our trail duathlon experiment called the Trailfest for MS as the demand for participates was not scalable.
2020
Team Endurance for MS consisting of 123 members raised $53,000 for MS research. Trifest for MS continued despite the Covid epidemic and welcome 1,200 athletes from 20 states. Combing all foundation events, the foundation awarded $75,000 to our MS research partners. The foundation added partners Northwestern in Chicago and University of CA at San Francisco to our MS research roster this year.
2019
We introduced two new events to our lineup this year, the Kid’s Splash & Dash was added to address the growing triathlon interest in the youth community. Additionally, we added the Open Water Swim to address the adult triathlon community growing and demanding more summer open water swim opportunities. The Trifest for MS continued despite the covid impact and the event 1,300 partcipates from 25 states. This year represents the most attendance in the Trifest for MS history and established the race the largest in AR and top SW United States triathlon event. Team Endurance for MS hosted 115 members and raised $70,000 for MS research.
2018
Team Endurance for MS in it’s 5th year saw 60 members join our community and raise $43,038 for MS research.
2017
As a result of 2016’s programming, we achieved our 5 year, $250,000 fundraising commitment to the UAMS MS research doctors.
Looking forward, we hope to award satellite MS research grants and expand the Trifest for MS and Team Endurance for MS to make an even greater footprint on the state of MS and the hope for a cure.
2016
In 2016, Triathlon Business International named us as a finalist for 'Best Large Triathlon' and 'Best Triathlon for Beginners' out of 300+ events in the United States.
2015
As a result of 2014’s efforts, presented our beneficiary, the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences (UAMS) MS research team, with our largest annual contribution to date in 2015: $90,500. Competitor Magazine named the Trifest for MS the 'Best Triathlon in the South.'
2014
In 2014, we saw the creation of our inaugural Team Endurance for MS, a community of supporters who go fund-racing in the name of encouragement, while raising money for MS research at the same time.
2013
In 2013, we added our triathlon training series to the mix. Because of the success seen and the root of encouragement planted, we expanded the program in 2014 by adding another training location.
2012
In 2012, saw the first annual Trifest for MS and MS Research Symposium.
2011
In 2011, encouragement rooted and the glory of community saw Jo cross the finish line of her first triathlon and the Rampy MS Research Foundation was born.