Rollerblader plans to keep raising money for MS
By LAUREN WOLMAN Special to the Daily Press
After rollerblading 300 miles from Santa Cruz, Tammy Nelson made it to the Santa Monica Pier on Friday excited and relieved to have completed her journey.
Nelson bladed in an effort to advance awareness about multiple sclerosis and raise funds to help people living with the disease.
Nelson, whose father suffers from MS, left Santa Cruz on Monday morning, skating about 60 miles each day. Nelson’s father John Aseltine, of Los Angeles, was diagnosed with MS in his 40s and the disease has progressed steadily for the past 25 years.
“I think my father is very brave for being so willing to give of his time, money, heart and energy, of which he has little, to be able to help others,” she said. “If my father can do that for others, I can certainly do this for him.”
Nelson’s family and friends, including her father, greeted her at the pier to watch her reach the finish line.
“Everytime her father thinks about what his daughter has accomplished, he gets very emotional. He is so proud, he is speechless,” said Nelson’s mother, Bette Aseltine.
Nelson, 34, has been skating since she was 5 years old. She thinks of her skates as her “second feet” and had always dreamed of going on a long distance skate. But she never had reason to do it until now.
“My skating started here in Santa Monica at a free clinic that taught rollerblading,” Nelson said. “After that I started jumping barrels.”
Nelson also hopes that her fund-raising efforts will lead to more effective treatments and possibly even a cure. She set a goal of $5,000.
She has raised $1,400 through individual, and donations by businesses and corporations. She still plans to fundraise to reach her goal.
The majority of funds raised will go to the National MS Society to fund further research and quality of life programs for people affected by MS. A small percentage of the funds raised will go to help Aseltine cover the cost of his medical expenses which exceed his income.
“She is doing a terrific job for fundrais-ing and raising awareness,” said Marni Deckter, director of communications for the Southern California chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
About 400,000 Americans live with MS, a chronic disabling disease of the central nervous system.
The mission of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society is to end the devastating effects of MS.
“Research has been excelling dramatically in the last decade, we hope a cure will come soon,” said Deckter.
Nelson said what made her journey so rewarding was that it wasn’t just for her.
“I’ve had an adventure to say the least, completing this journey is a dream come true,” she said.
Donations can be made directly online at tammyskateforMS.chariteam.com. To learn more about multiple sclerosis or the Southern California Chapter of the National MS Society and the programs they offer, call 1-800-FIGHT-MS, or visit nationalmssociety.org.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 23, 2003. Read the original PDF.