Howard’s Team Secures $605K Gift to Fund Adolescent MS Research at UCSD
Surpassing $1 Million Raised by One Member, and Over $4 Million Raised Overall
Howard’s Team is more than just a cycling team—it’s a movement, a family, and a relentless force committed to one mission: to end multiple sclerosis (MS). With over $4 million raised to date, Howard’s Team continues to make a profound impact in the fight against MS.
A Legacy of Strength: How Howard’s Team Began
Howard’s Team was founded in 2008 by Jay McCabe and Bob Moore, inspired by Howard Gray, a close friend who bravely battles multiple sclerosis. It all started when Jay’s sister, Susan, invited him to ride in Bike MS: Bay to Bay in 2005. After three years of participation, Jay realized they could do more. Learning about Howard from Bob, they asked if he would lend his name to their cause, and Howard’s Team was born.
With just over a dozen members in its first year, Howard’s Team set an ambitious goal—to raise $100,000 in five years. They shattered that goal in just three years, and today, the team has grown into a nationwide force, raising millions of dollars to fund research, provide support, and fight for a future without MS.
At the heart of Howard’s Team is its motto, inspired by Howard himself:
“Deliver everything they bargained for and a little bit more.”
A Transformational Gift for MS Research
Howard’s Team’s mission is deeply personal for many, including Jim Ponder, a longtime member and 10-year Board of Trustees member for the Pacific South Coast Chapter of the MS Society. His unwavering dedication has been instrumental in securing major donations, and in 2024, his efforts led to a game-changing contribution.
When the Multiple Sclerosis Society identified a critical funding need for an adolescent MS research project by Dr. Jennifer Graves at UCSD, Jim and Renata Sahagian, President of the Pacific South Coast Chapter, explored potential donors who might share their passion for finding a cure. Jim knew that philanthropy is built on trust, relationships, and shared purpose. With this in mind, he reached out to longtime supporters Sanjay and Fiona Jha, who Jim worked with previously to secure a generous donation to the MS Society.
For Sanjay and Fiona, MS is deeply personal—Fiona’s mother passed away from complications of the disease. Their commitment to honoring her memory and advancing the search for a cure led them to fund the entire UCSD research project with a remarkable $605,000 gift. This donation brings Jim’s personal fundraising total to over $1 million, a testament to his belief that every conversation, every connection, and every effort brings us one step closer to a cure.
From a Dozen Riders to a $4 Million Impact
What began as a small team of cyclists has transformed into a thriving community of champions who have raised over $4 million to support research, treatment, and programs that provide hope to those living with MS.
Join the Fight. Be Part of the Story.
Howard’s Team invites supporters to join their mission through participation, volunteering, or donating. Whether through attending a fundraising event, sharing the cause with others, or making a direct contribution, everyone has the power to make a difference.
For more information or to contribute, visit https://howardsteam.org.
Together, we will end MS.
