Forty years ago, the idea of restoring function after spinal cord injury (SCI) seemed unattainable. Today, our vision of a world where SCI doesn’t result in paralysis, and paralysis does not result in diminished quality of life is closer than ever.
We’re committed to supporting high risk/high reward clinical trials that push technology beyond conventional uses to ensure that the unmet needs of our SCI community are finally addressed. The quality-of-life is- sues that are a consequence of spinal cord injury are an important piece of our work to achieve Tomorrow’s Cures. Extreme pain, bowel, bladder and blood pressure control, sexual function and the ability to sweat all contribute to the combined insult that encompasses SCI—which is why we are working with diverse partners to find cures and treatments to help people improve their quality of life.
We also recognize that scientific research is one piece of a complex puzzle designed to bring forward real cures. Another crucial aspect of our work is our ability to serve as a convener.
We’re an unbiased partner, with the capability to bring together key players across the health system — from regulatory bodies to medical professionals to the patient community and others. We ask questions like, “What’s it going to cost? How do we get Congress to understand that this needs to be covered?”
No single organization can tackle these monumental challenges alone. We are excited to form new partnerships and engage with the SCI community to ensure that the next wave of discoveries is both meaningful and accessible—and we are accepting requests for applications for pre-clinical translational research in the areas of neuroprotection, regeneration, and plasticity. As we look toward 2025, we aim to increase collaboration and direct input from those with lived experience to drive critical conversations with the FDA and others as we collectively work toward approved therapies that improve lives.
By joining forces, we will create a successful strategy for SCI clinically-approved therapies. The work we’re doing behind the scenes—engaging stakeholders in meaningful ways, and preparing for productive FDA discussions—is mission-critical, and we need your help.
Together, we can create a future where people with SCI can access the therapies they need, not in decades but in the here and now. We invite you to join us in making this vision a reality.
Marco Baptista, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer
“Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story”
hit movie theaters across the nation on October 11, bringing Christopher Reeve’s incredible story— and the realities of SCI—to a new generation 20 years after his untimely passing. The film features never-before-seen footage of Christopher and Dana Reeve, shared for the first time by Matthew, Alexandra, and Will Reeve, who continue their family legacy as board members of the Reeve Foundation.
As we commemorate the 20th anniversary of Reeve’s death from complications of SCI, the film serves as a moving reminder that strength often rises out of life’s greatest challenges—and is a testament to the Reeve Foundation’s unwavering commitment to finding a cure for spinal cord injuries.
Donate today to advance SCI and paralysis research.
