Midland, MI - March 12, 2008
The Dow Chemical Company announced today that it has invited World BMX Champion Donny Robinson to participate in a community Multiple Sclerosis (MS) kickoff event scheduled for March 18 at The H in downtown Midland. Robinson currently is listed third in the UCI BMX World Rankings. Robinson will be joined by Sean Petty, Chief Operating Officer of USA Cycling, to promote the sport of cycling at the event.
“Donny’s attitude, which focuses on fun first and winning second, has propelled him into the limelight as one of the fastest BMX racers in the world,” says Petty. “After a 2006 season that saw him win almost every race he entered, and a 2007 season that brought him the gold medal at the inaugural USA Cycling BMX National Championships, Donny has become a front runner to not only make the Olympic team but to bring home a medal, as well.”
“Dow has supported USA Cycling and the MS Society for many years,” says Jennifer Heronema, External Communications Manager for Dow. “We hope that by bringing these two organizations together, we can share the excitement of competitive cycling and encourage folks to join us in the battle against MS.”
The kickoff event is scheduled for March 18 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at The H (formerly Ashman Court) in downtown Midland, with formal remarks beginning at 6:30 p.m. In addition to Robinson and Petty, other special guests include Dow Executive Vice President David Kepler; Elana Sullivan, President of the National MS Society – Michigan Chapter; Jackie Wheeler, Nurse Coordinator, Mid-Michigan MS Clinic; Helen Myers, Dow Walk Team Captain; and Ed Rightor, Dow Bike Team Captain. A number of door prizes will be given away at the event. There will be a special drawing for those who sign up for Bike MS or Walk MS prior to, or during, the kickoff event – courtesy of USA Cycling! You must enter the drawing for a chance to win.
Earlier this week, the Michigan Chapter of the MS Society announced that Dow will return as the presenting sponsor of the Bike MS fundraiser and the company will serve as the site sponsor for the Midland Walk MS event. Commenting on Dow’s sponsorship, Dow’s Kepler said, “This is our way of showing support for the efforts of our employees, family and friends, who have supported this effort since 1999. We have raised nearly $1 million in the battle against MS. We have the million-dollar mark in our sights, and we are determined to reach it this year.”
About Dow
More information about Dow can be found at www.dowinmichigan.com.
About the MS Society
MS stops people from moving. The National MS Society exists to make sure it doesn’t. We help each person address the challenges of living with MS through our 50 state network of chapters. We fund more MS research, provide more services to people with MS, offer more professional education and further more advocacy than any other MS organization in the world. The Society is dedicated to achieving a world free of MS. We are people who want to do something about MS now.
About USA Cycling
USA Cycling is a family of organizations that promotes and governs different disciplines of the sport, and that work as one to build the sport of bicycle racing, assist with athlete development and sustain international competitive excellence.
For Editorial Information:
Jennifer Heronema
The Dow Chemical Company
(989) 636-9142
