We Need More Cowbell!
In 2005, in an effort to bolster spectator support, Interns for the Trek passed out cowbells in White Plains, NY, (the Trek´s finish line) as part of a community outreach project, and in 2006 the event officially launched its ‘More Cowbell!’ campaign. A knock-off on the pop-culture catch phrase originally delivered by Christopher Walken in a quasi-famous Saturday Night Live skit, cowbells have been used in cycling since the early 1900’s when European’s would cheer riders racing through the Pyrenees or up the Italian Alps.
For the cyclists, volunteers, and countless spectators and supporters, “More Cowbell!” is about more noise and more support for an orphaned disease and its patients that will not stand silent.
About the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI)
The mission of the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI) is to develop effective therapeutics that stop ALS as soon as possible. Focused on meeting this urgent unmet medical need, ALS TDI executes a robust discovery program, as well as a multi-pronged approach to validate potential therapeutics; including small molecules, protein biologics, gene therapies and cell-based constructs. Built by and for today’s patients, the institute's unique, industrial-scale platform allows for the development and testing of dozens of potential therapeutics each year.
A federally registered 501(c)3, ALS TDI was the worlds first nonprofit biotechnology company, and is currently the worlds largest ALS research facility. Based out of a state of the art research facility in Cambridge, Mass, currently a team of about 30 professional scientists, researchers and technicians focus on the single goal of curing ALS. For more information please visit www.als.net
About ALS
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that leads to paralysis, due to the death of motor neurons in the spinal cord and brain. There is no known cause, cure, or effective treatment for the disease. Patients become trapped in their bodies, unable to speak, eat, or breathe on their own. Most succumb to respiratory failure within three to five years of diagnosis.
Approximately 5,000 US citizens are diagnosed with ALS each year, and another 5,000 die, leaving only about 30,000 patients in the United States today and an estimated 400,000 worldwide at any one time.
"We´re proud to ride for such a wonderful organization," says Mat Mendel, the event´s founder, organizer
and cyclist. "I know cowbells and bicycles won´t cure this disease, but I believe the work being
done at TDI will. The more people that ride and the more noise we make, the more attention we will bring
bring to the brave patients who fight this disease. I know something will be done. We need to end this disease, we need
More Cowbell."
News & Updates
September eNews: 30 Days of TST Starts Today!
With fundraising over $470k, we're wrapping up the 2010 Trek with '30 Days of TST!'. Follow us on FB and Twitter to get your daily TST fix!
3, 2, 1, GO!
Just TWO weeks to go till we ride out of Newton! Get all the details you need right here.
eNews: June 2010
2010 Jersey's are in and they're sweet! Are you registered to end ALS?
Dave Virden Jr. LIVE on WZLX
This morning Dave Virden Jr. was interviewed live on Boston's WZLX
The Opening Bell : Friday, May 28
Riders of the Tri-State Trek set to ring The Opening Bell this Friday on the NYSE!
April eNews
Tri-State Trek to Ring The Opening Bell and More Cowbell at South Station.
Mid-March eNews
We Win! Tri-State Trek takes Best T-Shirt 2009 at the annual RWR Fundraising Council "Pace Setter Awards".
February eNewsLetter
Welcome aboard 88.9 WERS Boston and Greenwich Time. Video of the Month - Blazeman!
January eNewsletter
Announcing our NEW Finish Line: Greenwich CT. Video of the Month, and more!
December Newsletter
2010 Registration is OPEN & 2009 numbers are official!
