Bikers por la Ela - Why we do what we do?

In 2021, the social initiative Bikers for ALS was born, linked to the word given by one of its founders Israel. That he met Fernando Mogena (The Spirit of the Samurai) in 2015 and that after talking with him for a while, Fernando told him that he was not important and that he had to meet other people who were.

Of those other people he met in 2015, today Pepe Tarriza, Founder of Bikers for ALS (ELA) onwards (BELA), and Araceli Fernandez, Honorary Godmother of BELA, continue to fight at his side.

After years of struggle where smiles faded, I was now free from ALS. For those of you who don't know what these acronyms mean, they are Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ALS (ELA) is a neuromuscular disease that causes selective degeneration of motor neurons, those responsible for innervating the muscles involved in voluntary movement.

The term “lateral sclerosis” refers to the involvement of the nerve fibers of the lateral part of the spinal cord, as well as the gliosis (proliferation of astrocytes, a type of glial cell) that occurs, and “amyotrophic” to muscle atrophy that occurs when the muscles stop receiving nerve signals.

The consequence is progressive muscle weakness that progresses towards total paralysis of the patient, also affecting the ability to speak, chew, swallow and breathe. On the other hand, functions such as sensitivity and intelligence are not affected and neither are eye movements since these are motor neurons that have more resistance.

As I told you. After years of struggle trying to achieve enough visibility to invest the necessary resources for its research and the day-to-day life of the patient and his family.

In 2021, the Bikers for ALS initiative was born with the support of the Platform Affected by ALS and ALS Research. Thanks to the support among other people from what is today our National Vice President Javier, a person closely linked to the world of motorcycles, who makes the first route possible to give visibility. Today National Vice President of BELA.

In a short time, the initiative is known in the biker environment throughout Spain, and bikers of different types come to learn what Bikers for ALS is and ask how they can collaborate.

Bikers for ALS in 2022 has a National work structure, with representatives in different Autonomous communities with its main Action nucleus in Madrid.

At that time we realized that after a year and a half of hard work it was necessary to formalize the work we were already doing, functioning practically as an Association. Today Bikers for ALS Spain is a Social Association that gives visibility to ALS and those who suffer from it.

With a National Board of Directors of some of those people who joined a year and a half ago. And I think it is important to highlight their involvement and work since without this commitment we would not exist today as an association.

Along with our president Israel and our vice president Javier are Nacho, national secretary, Pablo National Treasurer, Angel Captain of Route and Member and Toni Member.

Without forgetting the work that the men and women who make up BELA today are doing and who during this time are working to consolidate this initiative. THANK YOU ALL. There are too many of you to name, but you know who you are.

• Give visibility to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and those who suffer from it, both patients and their caregivers.
• Raise funds for research and assistance in your daily life.
• Altruistic collaboration with different associations and social groups.
• Promote the recreational use of the motorcycle, as well as its use as an instrument of communication towards society.
• Organize activities that increase relationships between members of the Association, other individuals and legal entities that support the purposes of our association and promote knowledge about issues related to ALS and in the world of motorcycles.

Give visibility to ALS through activities related to the world of motorcycles. As attendance at fairs, exhibitions, meetings, concentrations or outings of a group/s of Bikers on their daily or weekend route and uploading a photo or video on social networks with the tag #bikersporlaela #LaElaexist #QueCadaKilometroSume

Promote knowledge of the disease on social networks by publishing any type of communication and/or information, for this purpose, in the media that may be within your reach.

Participate in talks, colloquiums, debates, etc. that could take place in the media and/or public events.

Organize visits affected by ALS and share a moments with them, in the Autonomous Communities that we have representation.

Organization of events of different types (Social, Cultural, Sports, Musical, Gastronomic, Exhibitions, Fairs, Exhibitions, Shows, Conferences, Conventions, etc.) aimed at giving visibility and/or raising funds, which may be used to pay for their own activities. of the association and its purposes.

Organization of a National Event on dates close to International ALS Day, aimed at providing visibility and fundraising. BELA FEST.

Creation of meeting spaces between public and private Administrations to, together, reach collaboration agreements.

Contact companies that want to collaborate with this Association to achieve its goals.

Whoever wants, with or without a motorcycle, can be part of BELA.

Just remember one thing for us ALS means We Are Fighting with the Soul and we voluntarily choose to do so.

If you want to be part of the BELA25 Family, write to us to find out at
bikersporlaela@bikersporlaela.org or check out our web (spanish).

If you decide to take the step from “We could do to we are doing” we are waiting for you.

#Queeverykmsume

Israel Gonzalez - National President Bikers for ELA Spain.