BIDDEFORD — When Dean Bingham’s father was in his 80s, he lived in a nursing home with a man in his 70s named Charlie.

Bingham’s father was bipolar and subdued, Bingham said, adding that he didn’t get up and move around much. Charlie had multiple sclerosis, and was a quadriplegic who couldn’t get out of bed.

Despite Charlie’s inability to move around, he encouraged Bingham’s father to get “off your butt” and do something. Bingham’s father listened and slowly started becoming more active because of Charlie’s advice.

“I really believe that helped prolong my father’s life a few more years,” Bingham said. “Charlie was pretty inspirational.”

Because of Charlie’s attitude and help, Bingham decided that he wanted to do something to say thanks, so he embarked on his first-ever Bike MS ride to help raise money for disease research and to help MS patients cope with daily living, such as medical bills and support.

For the 23rd year on Saturday, Bingham ”“ who has raised nearly $65,000 to fight MS ”“ will participate in the Bike MS: Great Maine Getaway at its new home starting at the University of New England.

“Ultimately, my dad and Charlie died, but I keep doing it because I keep meeting people who have MS and it’s important. It hasn’t cured the disease yet, and some day I would like to see a world where it is gone.”

Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Bike MS is part of a national campaign through the society that started 30 years ago when the president of the Minnesota chapter, Will Munger, and his 10-year-old son decided to ride their bikes from Minneapolis, Minn., to Munger’s father’s house in Duluth, Minn. The two riders had to stop part way and finished the 150 miles in two days, according to the National MS Society.

Munger decided that if he and his son could complete the ride in two days, it would be a good challenge for other riders, and a way to earn money for the society. In 1980, 200 riders participated in Minnesota and raised nearly $33,000 for that state’s chapter. Now, more than 10,000 riders participate nationally, with about 500 participating in Maine’s ride on Saturday and Sunday.

“I think on every ride for these organizations, it helps because people view it as a challenge and a way to raise money to educate about the disease,” said Kelly Nieuwejaar, who is on the steering committee for the Maine ride.

Nieuwejaar, who will participate in the event for her third straight year, said she wants to raise awareness of the disease because of her husband Khoren’s strong approach toward his battle with MS.

“I feel like I am more scared of this disease than he is,” she said. “He is a very positive person.”

The two dated in high school, and rekindled their love three years ago in their mid-30s via Facebook. In that time, she has seen her husband go from using a cane to being mostly confined to a wheelchair in order to move around, she said.

“You have to get the word out there about MS,” Kelly Nieuwejaar said. “I believe that Khoren will see a cure in his lifetime.”

While MS affects nearly 350,000 people worldwide, according to statistics from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, events to raise money and awareness of the disease are not as mainstream as some other causes because its fatality rate is about 5 percent, said Steve Sookikian, the assistant vice president of communications for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Although most people live full lives with the disease, it dramatically affects both them and their families, which is why any money raised toward research will help fight MS, Sookikian said. According to NMSS, there were no drugs to fight the disease developed between 1947 and 1993. Now, there are more than 20 FDA-approved drugs and therapies that are used to help MS patients.

“There is nothing that can’t be accomplished if you put the funding into research,” Sookikian said. “That is why these riding events are so important to helping us work toward a goal of eradicating the disease and helping people who have MS pay for their medical costs, and also working as advocates for them.”

Participants can ride on either Saturday or Sunday this weekend, or they can choose to participate both days. They can choose to do a 25-, 50-, 100- or 150-mile ride on day one, and/or do a 25-, 50- or 100-mile ride on day two.

“It’s really what you are comfortable with,” Nieuwejaar said. “You can choose to do the 25-mile ride, but if you feel good, you can keep going. If you choose to do the 50-mile ride and can’t complete it, we have volunteers who can come and get you, or you can just turn around. It’s up to you.”

Registration is still open and the event offers day-of registration. For more information, or to register, visit main.nationalmssociety.org.

— Sports Editor Al Edwards can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 323 or at [email protected].