Howard’s Team – Introducing MS Champion Rohit Sud
Howard’s Team is so pleased to welcome Rohit Sud to Howard’s Team. Rohit joined Howard’s Team in 2025 and will serve as the Howard’s Team Captain for Arizona. To learn more about Rohit, read his story below.
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My name is Rohit Sud, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 2007 when I was 32 years old. At the time, I was in my first year of fellowship training in Oncology at the University of Rochester. Our daughter had just been born six weeks earlier, and our son was three years old. Life was busy, to say the least.
I first noticed something unusual when my eye wouldn’t stop twitching, and I had some blurry vision. Given everything going on in our lives, I didn’t think too much of it. Then one day, I came home, and my wife asked me if I was chewing gum. She said my mouth was moving like I was chewing something. I went into our room, looked in the mirror, and noticed I was having facial spasms.
At the time, I was training under neuro-oncology, so I asked a few of the doctors I was working with what they thought. No one seemed too concerned. But I insisted on getting an MRI, I was really worried it could be Bell’s Palsy or even a brain tumor. My instincts were right. The MRI confirmed I had MS.
I would run a half marathon every month. It was my way of proving to myself that I was still in control, that I could still live life fully. I didn’t want MS to define my life. I wanted me to define my life.
I was diagnosed at the University of Rochester by Dr. Steven Schwid, a professor of Neurology and Co-Director of the Rochester MS Center. He played a pivotal role in my journey. Sadly, he passed away from sarcoma during my second year of fellowship. I was blessed to be able to care for him in his final days, an experience I will always carry with me.
In 2010, our family made the decision to move to Arizona. My wife had been doing her fellowship training at the University of Arizona in Tucson, so we had been living apart. Between two children, two separate fellowships, the challenges of long-distance marriage, and my new MS diagnosis, we knew it was time to be together. We had already been through so much and knew our marriage could survive anything, but being in the same place mattered most.
After moving to Arizona, I wanted to find a way to stay grounded. I’ve always been an avid hiker, runner, and biker, so I made a commitment to myself: I would run a half marathon every month. It was my way of proving to myself that I was still in control, that I could still live life fully. I didn’t want MS to define my life. I wanted me to define my life.
During COVID in 2020, I finally shared my diagnosis with my business partners. Until then, I had kept it to myself out of fear, fear of judgment, fear that they might question whether I could do my job. But once I opened up, I realized my fears were unfounded. They were incredibly supportive. Sharing my diagnosis was also what led me to Bike MS. I was already part of a local bike group, and we were looking for an event. That event turned out to be more than just a ride. Through Bike MS, I’ve learned so much about resilience, teamwork, and acceptance. It’s an incredible community.
Now, looking ahead to 2025, my goal is to complete the DC Bike MS ride, this time with my 20-year-old son, who was just 3 when this journey started. Riding with him will be a full-circle moment, one I’ve dreamed about for years. Family, friends, connection, and support are what keep me going. MS is part of my story, but it’s not the whole story.
I’m excited to see what the future holds.
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On behalf of the entire team, welcome to Howard’s Team Rohit! We look forward to rolling down MS once and for all with you.
