Claus Thuesen Beck

Country: Denmark
Age: 26
Connection with MS: Sister has MS
Profession: Studying finance & accounting, Copenhagen Business School



I recently cycled 6000km across the US to raise money for the MS cause. I was inspired to do this by my older sister, Maria, who has relapsing-remitting MS. Maria was diagnosed with MS in 2002 at the age of 23, after having had trouble with her balance and vision. The diagnosis came as a great shock to our family. At the time I was 20 and travelling in the US when I received the news. Our family knew very little about MS initially, I knew it was a neurological condition but I was scared, I wondered if she’d have to use a wheelchair. I wondered it was contagious or something genetic? But through the support of Maria’s doctors and Scleroseforeningen, the Danish MS Society, we began to understand more about living with MS.

At the time of Maria’s diagnosis, she was studying to become a nursery teacher. She was lucky to be able to finish her studies and today she runs a consultancy firm which helps businesses build a happy environment in the workplace. The challenges our family has faced together since Maria’s MS diagnosis have brought our family even closer together.


Claus and Maria. Photo: Kristian Brasen

Having previously travelled in the US I was keen to return. I used to study management accounting, but because I transferred to a finance and accounting programme I was able to I was fortunate to be able to take a five month break to cycle the 6000km across the country. At first, I was attracted by the adventure of cycling from New York to San Francisco but when my friends, colleagues and a journalist got excited by what I was doing, I decided to use my biking challenge to raise money for Scleroseforeningen, the Danish MS Society. I set off alone from New York on 14 June 2009 and over the next seven weeks I had an incredibly rewarding experience. I slept in my tent, motels and private houses and saw some amazing views. The highlight of my trip was the fantastic hospitality and friendliness from the people I met along the way, the worst thing was cycling against head winds. I finally arrived in San Francisco on 5 August 2009.

My trip was covered by both Danish and American media, including a TV appearance with Maria on World MS Day. I was happy to raise a total of US$5000 for Scleroseforeningen, which was raised from the sponsorship for my ride and an auction of signed football shirts. These funds have gone towards research projects investigating why so many women are diagnosed with MS and how pregnancy affects diagnosis.


Claus during his journey in Yellowstone, Wyoming, USA.

My advice for people affected by MS is to remember that communication is really important. I would say that it took my sister five years to finally accept that she had MS. You must never be afraid to talk about it, to ask for help, or to offer it, whatever your connection with MS. You must confront it even though it is sometimes difficult to see.

Danish MS Society