A Message from Maggie Goldberg, CEO & President
After decades of incremental gains, a surge of momentum is transforming the field of spinal cord injury research.
Labs around the world are now pursuing treatments that target acute and chronic paralysis, propelled by a steady stream of advances in device development and epidural stimulation therapies. Ambitious efforts to regulate blood pressure, strengthen cardiovascular function, and improve bowel and bladder management are, at last, underway — and collaboration across the field is critical.
The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation launched an open data platform designed to increase shared knowledge last year. We also co-hosted the first Reeve Foundation Symposium at the Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine in La Jolla, CA, linking academics with industry peers and investors who will help turn lab triumphs into real-world results. And we tapped the expertise of our Spinal Cord Injury Advisory Board to target our investments toward research and development opportunities that will yield the greatest impact for community members, including an upcoming study of bladder function.
But even as we worked to accelerate the future breakthroughs that so many families seek, we dedicated equal effort to supporting your lives in the here and now.
The National Paralysis Resource Center (NPRC) staff crisscrossed the country to expand our reach, visiting caregiver support groups in Chicago and Houston, celebrating adaptive roller-skating adventures at Rockefeller Center, and building critical new partnerships with Veteran Affairs offices throughout the South. We worked with national parks and conservancy organizations to launch “Outdoors for Everyone,” an ongoing initiative designed to increase access to nature for people living with paralysis and their caregivers. And, knowing that the NPRC serves as a lifeline for families in the early days of injury and far beyond, we extended the availability of our extraordinary Information Specialists from 7 a.m. to midnight, Monday – Friday last year.
Reeve’s new outreach efforts and partnerships drove progress across both care and cure initiatives. It was a year to celebrate — and there is more yet to come. As ever, the Reeve Foundation thanks you for your dedicated support that fuels our mission. We hope you’ll join us now as we harness the potential of this moment — as we work to drive the discovery and development of treatments sooner rather than later and support the pursuit of health and happiness in the day-to-day lives of all families living with paralysis.
Our Team Reeve marathon and All Stars fundraising programs are a hallmark of the Reeve Foundation community. In 2023, New York City marathoners raised $750,000 and Chicago marathoners raised $140,000. We also marked a record with more than 85 athletes in New York City and 40 athletes participating in Chicago, our largest teams ever for these world majors. Our Team Reeve All Stars, who create their own fundraisers to support the Foundation’s work to advance innovative spinal cord injury research, raised $126,080 in 2023. Together, these programs raised over $1 million last year. In 2024, we hope to grow these programs through an increased allotment of Chicago and New York City bibs.
You can join Team Reeve All Stars by creating your own fundraising event. Choose your activity, set up a fundraising webpage and spread the word! You can participate in an endurance event, plan a bake sale, do a corporate challenge, and do so much more. Recruit teammates to help you reach your goal, or ask everyone to support your efforts by donating, it’s up to YOU!
“My motivation is knowing that I am raising money for my future and that of everyone else living with paralysis.”
“I’ve been connected to this fight for 38 years and have witnessed the progress being made over nearly four decades.”
“It’s about helping people see the ‘can do.’ To move forward, we have to work with the attitude that nothing is impossible.”
Crucial Resource to Help National Organizations Proactively Prepare for Emergency Situations for Those Living With Paralysis
Last year we released the Emergency Preparedness for People with Paralysis Booklet, designed to be one of the most comprehensive, crucial resources that aid national organizations, people living with paralysis and their caretakers in preparing for emergencies and impending weather. From identifying an individual’s mobility needs, to understanding risks and planning for the unknown, this resource aids in the betterment of assessing challenges and tangible solutions that those living with paralysis may face during volatile times.
We’re thrilled to share our partnership with FreeWill, a free online service that helps you craft your legally valid will in about 20 minutes.
By using FreeWill to plan your future, you not only provide for your loved ones but also have the chance to fortify the continued research and advocacy work of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. There’s no cost today, yet your impact can extend well beyond our lifetimes, fostering hope for millions and progress that will last for generations.
