New Leaf Brands' initiative to find cure for MS, will sponsor a participating team for bike ride event

New Leaf Brands, a wholly owned subsidiary of Baywood International, Inc. (OTCBB: BAYW) ("Company"), today announced that the Company will sponsor a participating team in the Multiple Sclerosis/Tappan Zee Bike Ride taking place on Sunday, October 18, 2009 in Tarrytown, New York. All cyclists will begin the Tour at Kraft Foods in Tarrytown, NY, followed by a ride over the Tappan Zee Bridge. Last year's event raised nearly $300,000 for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society New York City - Southern New York Chapter. The ride marks the 12th anniversary of the Bike MS/Tappan Zee Bike Ride. The goal for this year's ride is to reach over 1000 riders and exceed $320,000 in funds raised.

"It is with great pleasure and honor that we announce our participation and sponsorship of the Multiple Sclerosis Bike Ride. The New Leaf bike team consists of 37 members and has already pledged donations of over $8,000 for this wonderful cause. As of today, New Leaf is the number 1 corporate fundraiser for this race. Our entire company would like to thank those who are participating in this great cause of working towards a cure for multiple sclerosis," stated Mr. Eric Skae, Chief Executive Officer of New Leaf. "As a locally based business that is providing healthy beverages to local establishments, as well as more widely recognized convenience stores such as 7-Eleven in the tri-state area, we saw the MS Bike Ride as a great opportunity to give back to our community and raise awareness of the fight against MS. We intend to use this as an example of how we can work with the MS Society on a national level and participate and sponsor additional events in the future."

Multiple sclerosis (or MS) is a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system (CNS), which is made up of the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. Symptoms may be mild, such as numbness in the limbs, or severe, such as paralysis or loss of vision. The progress, severity, and specific symptoms of MS are unpredictable and vary from one person to another. Today, new treatments and advancements in medical research lend renewed hope to those afflicted by the disease.

Make a donation online or send in a contribution. Anything will make a difference in the fight against MS, and it all begins right here. Please visit,donate to" to enter a gift amount. Then just fill out the form to help support us in this exciting race for a cure.