Powered by Buildium raises more than $76,000 in its 11th Bike MS ride

Sometimes making a difference starts with a single step—or pedal stroke.

Buildium employees, alongside their friends and family, teamed up on June 25th and 26th to complete Bike MS: Cape Cod Getaway.

The Cape Cod Getaway ride is the largest Bike MS fundraising event in New England. It’s also Buildium/RealPage’s biggest project to fight multiple sclerosis (MS) as part of their ongoing volunteer weeks and fundraisers.

According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, which hosts the event each year, more than one million adults in the U.S. currently live with MS. That’s twice as many people previously estimated—and twice as many people that need not only a cure, but also treatment and support services.

For many of the riders, it’s a cause that hits home. “I was inspired by the help that we were trying to provide for all the people that are in a constant battle with multiple sclerosis,” said Davon Cannon, who participated in this year’s ride. “When I started asking for donations, a close cousin told me she had the disease. It motivated me even more to train and do what I can.”

This is the 11th year that the Powered by Buildium team joined the ride to raise money and awareness to fight MS.

Each year, Powered by Buildium has stepped up to meet the challenge, raising over $775,000 over the past decade.

Even as the pandemic left its mark last year, reducing the route to 75 miles over the course of one day, the Buildium community rallied and raised over $32,000.

This year, 28 riders—9 of whom were participating in the event for the first time—joined the team to brave the full two-day, 150-mile route from Quincy to Provincetown.

For team captain Herky Gottfried, an eight-time participant in Bike MS, this year was especially rewarding. “I was finally able to ride this year with my dad. He signed up to ride with me in 2020, and we rode 75 miles together in Idaho that year after the in-person ride was canceled due to COVID. But being able to ride to Cape Cod with him was pretty special.”

Among the other participants was Meridee Munford. “Seeing folks at the sidelines with cowbells and signs cheering you on and thanking you, it really gives you the extra push to keep pedaling knowing that this event is making a positive impact on people’s lives.”

And the impact has truly been impressive. The Powered by Buildium team has already raised over $76,000, more than double last year’s donations, with fundraising still open for anyone to contribute until August 26.

That’s thanks in no small part to a host of dedicated sponsors, from title level sponsors TransUnion, Wells Fargo, and Sumeru Equity Partners, to Millennial Specialty Insurance (at the platinum level), to Snowflake (at the gold level).

Even with such an important cause motivating them, the ride wasn’t without its challenges.

“The main obstacle is being mentally prepared for the ride,” said Davon. “Blocking out the pain, getting through the hot/humid weather, committing to the duration, overcoming the lack of energy…also sitting on a bicycle seat for 12+ hours, it’s not easy.”

Herky agreed: “I’m not really a cyclist, so sitting on a bike seat for that many hours can get uncomfortable. That last hour or so of both days is always tough.”

But, for Herky and the rest of the riders, coming together at the end of the ride put it all into perspective. “Seeing the tired smiles on everyone’s faces when we gathered to celebrate at a restaurant in Provincetown after the ride and realizing we had all accomplished something pretty special was a great feeling.”

Beyond the fundraising push and challenging, exhilarating moments along the way, MS Ride has always been a worthy bonding experience for the Buildium team, particularly during a time when those chances are so few and far between.

“Especially in light of the isolation caused by the pandemic, it’s really nice to be able to spend time in person with your teammates and share the experience,” said Meridee.

“Experiencing something like this with colleagues can grow relationships,” added Davon. “You see how dedicated they are to achieving a goal.”

While the ride may be over, the fundraising race is still going strong, and Powered by Buildium is currently in second place! If you would like to donate, just visit their fundraising page.