Mike Bivona raised $12,000 in 10 days to help find a cure for Multiple Sclerosis.

Photo Credit: Contributed

Mike Bivona's team at last year's WalkMS event in Stamford.

Photo Credit: Contributed

STAMFORD, Conn. – Mike Bivona never thought of himself as much of a fundraiser or a charity guy. That all changed, though, about a year ago.

He was at a party in June of 2010 when he started to feel dizzy and not in control of his body. But it wasn't too much celebratory imbibing that was the cause — Bivona found out he's suffered a mild stroke, which landed him in the hospital for 11 days.

While not unheard of, it was rare enough for an otherwise healthy young person that doctors began running tests to find out the cause. That medical detective process went on for three months, during which time he suffered several more small seizures.

Eventually, doctors determined that Bivona was suffering from multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disease that affects the brain and central nervous system. Rather than sit and moan about his fate, Bivona decided to do something about it.

"There was something on the radio about a walk for MS in Stamford that was coming up, and I decided to do it to raise money," he said.

Bivona was able to raise $12,000 in just 10 days. "I sent out mass emails to everyone I knew," he said. "We got money from people who had corporate matching all the way down to a guy who collects empty cans on the street. I had no idea how much I'd wind up raising."

As it turned out, he was the top fundraiser in the walk, and was asked to join the organizing committee for next year's event. "I've already started raising money," he said. "In the first week we're at $400 already."

Despite his illness, Bivona continues to work as an auto mechanic with his brother and father at the family business, My Way Auto Body/Bivona Auto Services. He takes medication to control his joint and muscle pain.

"You have good days and bad days," he said. "Some mornings it takes me 20 minutes to get warmed up enough to get out of bed."

He also receives injections to slow the progress of the MS. "There's no cure for it yet," he said. "That's what we're working toward."

To check out and support Bivona's efforts go to his fundraising webpage.