Actors, pro-athletes participate in charity fundraiser
By Daily Bruin Staff
June 2, 1996 9:00 p.m.
Monday, June 3, 1996
‘Race to Erase MS’ fights crippling disease with sports
competitionsBy Rachel Kelley
Daily Bruin Contributor
The energy and optimism present at Drake Stadium Saturday
indicated that those whose lives are touched by multiple sclerosis
are well on their way to winning the race.
Celebrities, pro-athletes, students and general supporters alike
gathered to participate in the fourth annual Race to Erase MS, a
fundraiser to benefit research for finding a cure for the crippling
disease.
Through sporting events, organizers hoped to educate the public
and create an atmosphere reminiscent of the Olympic Games.
Twenty eight teams  comprised of one celebrity, one
pro-athlete, and three amateur athletes  competed against
each other in several events. Contests included the stair climb,
obstacle courses, a bicycle built for two and human ‘foose’ ball, a
form of soccer in which players are attached to harnesses that
limit movement in trying to score a goal.
During the opening ceremonies, actor Dustin Hoffman explained
the effect of multiple sclerosis, which attacks the human central
nervous system.
"You see this wire," said actor Dustin Hoffman, holding up a
coiled telephone cord before the crowd. "These are our nerves, and
do you know what is covering our nerves … insulation called
myelin. MS breaks down this insulation and causes sclerosis."
Participants commented how much they enjoyed taking part in the
day’s activities.
"We’re making jack asses out of ourselves and it’s all for a
good cause," said actor Tom Arnold.
Whether running through tires and penetrating a mass of rubber
pillars, or bouncing down an inflatable slide and swinging on a
rope through the air like Tarzan, multiple sclerosis supporters
gave their all to the respective competitions.
The event was coupled with a medical symposium held on Friday
which detailed the latest research efforts to cure the disease.
In previous years, the "Race" was held on the slopes of
Colorado. The event was moved this year to Los Angeles because of
local support networks, organizers said.
Nancy Davis, chairwomen of the Race and a UCLA alumna who has
multiple sclerosis, said she could not have been more pleased.
"Everybody is doing their thing. We’re gaining a lot of money.
Nobody is getting hurt. It’s a great deal. We’re having a ball,"
Davis exclaimed.
However, nobody at the event would be "having a ball" if it
weren’t for Davis, some children pointed out.
"Nancy Davis is the greatest person in the whole world," said
13-year-old John Webb, a member of the choir group from the
Adderley School of Performing Arts, which accompanied singer
Natalie Cole in singing the national anthem.
With festive songs such as "Joy to the World" blasting
throughout the event, children played games such as rock, paper,
scissors with Mickey and Minnie Mouse, as athletes and actors
participated in the sporting events.
Meanwhile, volunteers  dressed in red, white and blue
 monitored the various obstacle courses and handed out
refreshments.
The Race to Erase MS was not only a fundraiser for the disease,
but also a celebration of life and the progress made thus far, some
participants noted.
"They (researchers) have found the city of MS," Hoffman stated.
"As I speak they are finding the street of MS. By the year 2001,
they will be in the house of MS."
Actor David Hasselhoff explained that MS represents a forgotten
disease that is particularly tragic because youth are at greatest
risk.
Hasselhoff’s message hit home for young people at the event
whose lives are affected by the disease. Chris Beckheyer, a
third-year student at UC Santa Barbara, was a member of Theta Chi
fraternity before MS prevented him from participating in the greek
organization.
"MS was just giving me too many problems," Beckheyer said. "I
had no choice but to drop out, but I guess I’m still in it
symbolically," he said.
Though Beckheyer is no longer directly involved in the
fraternity, his experience had educated his fellow fraternity
brothers, who volunteered at Saturday’s event.
"He’s a brother, so we care a lot about him; and therefore we
care a lot about the cause," said Edgar Silva, a UC Santa Barbara
Theta Chi fraternity member.
FRED HE/Daily Bruin
Besides playing sports with film and athletic stars, children
also took rides on the ever-popular gyroscope.
