Sara's Ride for MSA

09/26/2025

Sara's Ride Wrap-Up: Honor, Hope, and Horses!
Wow, what an incredible day! I'm absolutely blown away by the success of this year's Sara's Ride, which we held on September 13th to honor my brave wife, Sara Nilson.

For those who don't know, I started this event to raise funds and critical awareness for Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), the rare and devastating disorder that took Sara's life. This year's ride was bigger and more successful than ever! We had more riders join us at the Bear Valley Springs Equestrian Center, and I'm thrilled to share that together, we raised nearly $10,000 for Mission MSA! Every dollar goes toward the research we desperately need.

Sara was a lifelong lover of horses—her "boys" Bubba, Jack, and Cash even led the ride! She was courageous to the end, and keeping her legacy alive by helping others is what this is all about.

If you weren't able to donate before the ride, you still have a chance to help! Our pledge page remains open until the end of the month, and all late donations will be forwarded to Mission MSA on their Day of Giving event, increasing our total impact.

Give a final push to our fundraising goal here:
https://donate.missionmsa.org/fundraiser/6534672

I also encourage you to read the full story in the Tehachapi News to learn more about Sara's journey and the challenges of MSA.

Read the full article here:
https://www.tehachapinews.com/lifestyle/saras-ride-honors-a-brave-bear-valley-womans-fight-with-rare-disorder-raises-funds-and/article_a484d364-1a0a-4b90-bb3f-bde4f557a1f5.html

Thank you all for your overwhelming support. It truly means the world to me. Mark your calendars for next year's event: Sunday, September 12, 2026!

More than 40 people gathered at the Bear Valley Springs Equestrian Center Saturday to honor the memory of Sara Nilson, who died in 2023, and to raise awareness about the

09/15/2025

💙🐎 Thank You from the Bottom of My Heart 💙🐎

I’m still glowing from this year’s Sara’s Ride. To everyone who joined us—the volunteers, riders, attendees, sponsors, dear friends who rekindled memories of a young and healthy Sara Nilson, and those who were so caring and helpful in the final days of her journey—thank you. I love all of you for your help, your generosity, and for keeping hope alive for a cure for MSA. You made this our biggest and most successful ride yet!

Grateful Shout-Outs:

• Shirt Squad: To the 40+ of you who bought shirts and blanketed the venue in Sara’s favorite Robin’s-egg blue—rocking the beautiful new design and logo alongside Mission MSA’s logo—thank you. When all pledges are gathered, we’ll be writing a nice big check to Mission MSA.
• Volunteers: To everyone who set up chairs and tables, decorated, and BBQ’d that amazing tri-tip and award-winning chili—thank you. You made everything seamless and joyful.
• Riders: To the dozen riders who shared Sara’s favorite pastime—trail riding—and stayed in your saddles with big smiles—thank you.
• Texas Family: To my extended Texas family—Jim and Edy Chambers, Alan and Anita Broxson—who flew in and have supported me not just this weekend but throughout the years: you’re my adopted family, not by blood but absolutely by love. Thank you for always being there; I love you more than words can say.
• Sandy & Dream Team: To Sandy Bakich, my new love, who has embraced my broken heart and joyfully joined me in this annual event—and to her team of true pros who fed us so well and seemed to know what needed doing before anyone asked—Jerry and Ginger Riggs, Lawrence, Nicole, Jessica, and Stephanie Frenes—things just happened, got done, and magically went back where they belonged. Thank you.
• Sponsors: Your support helps defray costs so we can send more to Mission MSA: TownePlace Suites by Marriott, The Butcher Shop, Brite Creek Farm, TNG Energy Services, Tehachapi Wine and Cattle—thank you.
• Press & Community: To The Tehachapi Loop, The Tehachapi News, and Patrick Johnston for covering our story and the event—thank you. The press made all the difference. People knew the story, and they showed up to help—in a big way.
• Mission MSA Donors: To those who generously donated via Sara’s Mission MSA funding page—Peter DeArmond, Cindy Rechsteiner, Sandra McCoy, Leana Mitchell, David Perkins, Jaime Baetz, Lisa Bergholdt, Alan Miller, Paul and Laurie Chataem, and several anonymous donors—thank you.

The funding window is still open. If you couldn’t attend but would like to contribute, you can donate directly here: https://donate.missionmsa.org/fundraiser/6534672

Because of you, I’m confident we beat our goal again this year. I’ll share the final tally soon, but for now, please accept my deepest gratitude for honoring Sara’s life and helping fuel the mission to end MSA.

With love and thanks,
—Fred

💙🐎

09/11/2025

🚨 2 DAYS TO GO! 🚨
Sara’s Ride is this Saturday, Sept 13 in Bear Valley Springs. If you’re planning to join the trail ride, please call/text me at (661) 472-0581 today to arrange your gate pass. Let’s pack the trail and ride for the cure! 🤠💜

This year we’re aiming to crush our $6,000 goal and double our riders. Every saddle in the lineup helps patients and families facing Multiple System Atrophy (MSA).

👕 New 2025 Sara’s Ride Tee-Shirts will be on sale ($25). All proceeds go to Mission MSA. Pick up at the event; if you can’t attend, message me your address and we’ll mail yours.

🍽️ BBQ Lunch headcount matters! If you’re joining us for lunch, please RSVP so we plan enough tri-tip: [email protected]

📝 Waiver: If you don’t live in Bear Valley Springs and plan to ride, please complete the waiver before the ride.

💡 During lunch we’ll share exciting updates on advancements in MSA treatments—come hear what’s on the horizon and how your support accelerates progress.

Can’t ride? You can still make a difference by donating and sharing this post. Every dollar and share fuels research and support services. 🙌

Gate Pass & Questions: Call/Text (661) 472-0581
RSVP/Info: [email protected]

Donate: donate.missionmsa.org/fundraiser/6534672

09/05/2025

Ride with Purpose on Sept 13 — Join Sara’s Ride or Help Us Hit $6,000

Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) is rare, fast-moving, and unforgiving. Most families have never heard of it until a loved one is suddenly fighting for balance, blood pressure, speech, and independence—all at once. There’s no cure yet, few effective treatments, and too few resources for families carrying the load at home. We ride to change that.

We ride for Sara—beloved wife and friend—whose light still leads us. On Saturday, September 13 at the Club House Equestrian Center, Bear Valley Springs, we’ll fill the trail with hope, then share a Tri-Tip & Gourmet Chili Luncheon together. Your saddle, your plate, your gift—all of it moves real help and research forward.

Be a Rider (and bring your appetite!)

Schedule

9:30 AM – Riders saddle up

10:00 AM – Trail ride begins

11:30 AM – Horses return

12:00 PM – Luncheon at the Clubhouse (RSVP needed)

1:00 PM – Brief MSA update

2:00 PM – Event concludes

What to know

RSVP for lunch (important): email [email protected]
so we have enough BBQ.

Not a BVS resident? We’ll provide gate passes & equestrian permits.

Riders outside BVS: please download/complete the waiver before the ride.

Sara Shirts: $25 each—pick up at the event or we’ll ship if you can’t attend.

Questions? Call (661) 472-0581.

Be a Giver (if you can’t ride)

We’re halfway to our $6,000 goal. A gift today—of any size—helps families facing MSA and fuels research. Donate via our Mission MSA fundraiser (link/QR in the comments) or Venmo (QR on the flyer). 100% of shirt profits go to MSA research and patient support.

Why your help matters

MSA affects only a few people per hundred thousand, but it steals years quickly and places a heavy, daily burden on caregivers. Your ride, your RSVP, your donation—these are lifelines. They tell every family facing MSA that they are seen and not alone.

Ride for Sara. Ride for those still fighting.
Comment “I’m in” to ride, RSVP for lunch, and share this post to spread the word.

Educational note & sources (omit from the Facebook post if you wish):
MSA is rare (about 3.4–4.9 per 100,000 people) and progresses rapidly. There is no cure or disease-modifying therapy; average survival is ~7–10 years from symptom onset. Caregiving needs are high and multidisciplinary support is recommended.

This information is for education only and isn’t medical advice. Please consult qualified healthcare professionals for diagnosis or care decisions.

09/02/2025

Sara's Ride for MSA (Only 11 Days Left) was interviewed and published in the TheLoopNewspaper.

Thank you to our Sponsors who are also mentioned: TownePlace Suites by Marriott, the Butcher Shop, Brite Creek Farm, Tehachapi Wine & Cattle Company and TNG Energy Services.

DM me if you are coming so I call in a gate pass.

If your riding, please confirm this week so we can plan accordingly.

Not riding? Can't make the BBQ? You still can paticipate to help us reach our goal: https://donate.missionmsa.org/fundraiser/6534672

https://www.theloopnewspaper.com/page/current-issue-now-in-stands/4171.html

08/29/2025

You don’t have to ride with us on September 13 to support the cause. Every Sara’s Ride T-shirt helps us reach our $6,000 fundraising goal for Mission MSA and keeps Sara’s legacy alive.
https://donate.missionmsa.org/fundraiser/6534672

Available at the event for $25
https://account.venmo.com/u/Fred-Nilson

Order now through Venmo if you can’t attend — just include your shipping address + size in the note

CTA
👉 Scan the QR code in the photos or visit Venmo here: [Insert Venmo Link]
👉 Want to help even more? Donate directly to Mission MSA: [Insert Donation Link]

Hashtags

08/29/2025

https://donate.missionmsa.org/fundraiser/6534672

In Honor of Sara Nilson

08/26/2025

Last week I was interviewed by the Tehachapi newspaper regarding Sara’s ride.
We’re getting down to the wire now, I would appreciate if you would copy and paste this article in your feed to help us bring more awareness to the event September 13, and more importantly to bring attention to this terrible disease that took her from us.

https://www.tehachapinews.com/lifestyle/saras-ride-in-bear-valley-to-honor-a-brave-womans-battle-with-multiple-system-atrophy/article_edfbd972-760c-45ac-92c6-5d60fdb65f5d.html?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwMaoDNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHmvhUiX_XpiEXB-fCiwKAJXTMOZpEt72zDZqd-YCquTJakcMq42-zTsurOk0_aem_jfJzo-YuFrVNA6QJyGZNQA

Sara’s Ride, an event honoring the life of Bear Valley resident Sara Nilson, who died in 2023 from the rare neurodegenerative disorder multiple system atrophy, or MSA, will be held

08/16/2025

Learn about MSA with this new info Agent. It can answer most questions about the desease and about Sara's Ride. Please give it a try and share with friends, you never know who it could help!
(CLICK the LINK BELOW)
https://chatgpt.com/g/g-68a0afaee6e0819182ccccc931d525d5-msa-info-agent