Jeff Kerr has spent much of his life on two wheels — starting with BMX races in grade school, and then road bikes, until he was cycling thousands of miles every year.
In 2006, when the Hayes resident was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at age 35, he feared his bicycling days could be over.
“But it went way beyond that,” Kerr said. “My first day at the neurologist’s office, I was looking at these pictures and everyone in them was using a cane or a walker or a wheelchair, and I was not prepared for that.
“I was afraid my career was over. I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to walk my daughters down the aisle.”
Twelve years later, he still deals with MS, an incurable neurological affliction with wide-ranging symptoms that can be crippling. But it hasn’t kept him off the road.
Over the past 12 years, Kerr — a lieutenant with the York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office — has helped to raise more than $300,000 through fundraising bike rides for MS. He plans to add to that total June 2-3 by participating in the Bike MS: Colonial Crossroads event, which will have rides out of Williamsburg, Smithfield and Richmond.
The rides vary in length depending on the route each individual chooses, but Kent always starts with the same goal — the maximum of 200 miles.
“Last year I went 100 miles the first day but I had some dehydration issues so I only made it 40 the second day,” he said. “But I’ve done the full 200 in the past, and that’s my plan for this year, too.”
Race organizers estimate more than 900 cyclists will participate this year, with a goal of raising $800,000.
In a news release, Sherri Ellis, president of the Virginia and West Virginia chapters of the National MS Society, said the funds “support cutting-edge MS research as well as programs and services for people living with MS in the community.”
Kerr believes his own story is living testament to the fruits of that fundraising. There are far more medical options and alternatives today than there were when he was first battling the symptoms of MS, little more than a decade ago.
He went through drugs that worked but had harsh side effects, and drugs that had no side effects but little effect on his symptoms. Earlier this year he had his first infusion of a relatively new drug called Ocrevus, and he pronounces himself symptom-free for the first time in 12 years.
“I’m cautiously optimistic about the future,” he said. “I know this is just one treatment, and I have to keep getting it twice a year. I’m waiting for the symptoms to return, but I expect good things.”
He has already logged almost 2,000 cycling miles this year. His goal is to hit 5,000, which would put him close to his totals from before his diagnosis.
He is proud that he has been able to continue his career in law enforcement. In the past week, he was in Texas for the birth of his first grandchild.
And he plans to keep on riding.
“My association with the MS Society has been very strong ever since my diagnosis,” he said. “I’ve just transferred my motivations. When I was younger, I rode the bike for exercise and recreation. Now it’s my mission to use cycling as a way to raise money and find a cure.”
Bike MS: Colonial Crossroads
For info on the event: bikems.org or call 855-372-1331
For info on Jeff Kerr’s story, or to donate: https://bit.ly/2IC6Evs.
