Raising Money for Spinal Research
Donation protected
Hi Everyone. I'm raising money for a very worthy organization called Spinal Research. Have a read (about 4 minutes - slow readers of which I am part of :), and check out why I think we should help out. If you agree, please consider donating to help accomplish the goal of raising $3,000 Canadian dollars. Thanks again.
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Throughout my life, I’ve seen the devastation that follows spinal cord injuries (SCI’s). My son’s best friend sustained a neck injury in a bicycle accident and was in a neck brace for several months. He was very fortunate, but this could have been a life changing moment. My cousin, Diane, was not so lucky. She experienced a traumatic neck injury, paralyzing her from the neck down. In an instant, her life was transformed forever. Adding insult to injury, the monetary costs were astronomical.
With the love and support of her family, Diane lived as well as she could for many years. She showed strength, courage, and was driven to find treatment and specialized care. She paved her own way by starting her own nursing company, enabling her to travel and fulfill some of her goals. Diane passed away in 2010 from complications related to her injury, but she left a lasting impact on me.
About SCI’s. SCI’s can be traumatic or non-traumatic, yet the results are devastating. Imagine becoming a paraplegic or a quadriplegic; it would be an extremely difficult transition for anyone. The Rick Hansen Institute1 indicates that 86,000 people in Canada are currently affected by SCI’s, with 4,300 new cases each year. These numbers are expected to increase to 121,000 cases and 5,800 new cases per year by 2030.
One of the factors contributing to this rise is our aging population. Each case is highly specialized and complex, leading to additional healthcare expenses. If you consider new cases of traumatic injuries alone, the economic cost in Canada is 2.7 billion dollars. UK’s leading charity, Spinal Research2, which funds medical research around the world, aims to develop effective treatments for paralysis caused by SCI’s. They indicate that over 2.5 million people worldwide are currently paralyzed due to SCI’s.
What is Spinal Research’s strategy and goal? Spinal Research’s strategy is to build research capacity across the whole spectrum to strengthen its understanding of spinal cord injury, to help it discover novel targets as potential treatments. Secondly, to identify promising innovations for patient benefits and help accelerate those innovations through funding support. Lastly, to work with various stakeholders around the world with similar missions to collaborate and avoid duplication of efforts.
Spinal Research has funded numerous projects around the world that have strengthened our understanding of SCI’s. For example, Project INSPIRED is an imaging research study that aims to improve imaging of the brain and spinal cord via MRI scans. Another Canadian funded project called the Edmonton Project studied how electrical stimulation could help restore some hand functions, such as hand opening and grip.
How I became part of Team Spinal Research. I have been running for several years. Running helps me maintain balance and a healthy lifestyle. Being a busy bee, running provides an outlet for me disconnect from my day-to-day hustle and helps me put things into perspective. I can’t imagine my life without the ability to run.
I’ve given myself some pretty lofty running goals, including running the Six World Major Marathons: Berlin, Boston, Chicago, London, New York and Tokyo. So far, I’ve had the privilege to run both the Chicago and New York marathons. This year, I’m scheduled to run two more: Berlin and London.
While pursuing my running goals, I’ve paid special attention to the runners who have raised funds for charitable organizations. I always felt those who did so were driven to make a difference for others. Although my running goals are very personal, I was inspired to challenge myself further and see if I too could raise funds for a charitable organization. I was fortunate to be selected as a part of Team Spinal Research for the London Marathon and am aiming to raise $3,000 for this important organization that so many depend on. I am deeply honoured for my role on Team Spinal Research and cannot wait to run alongside this Team during the London Marathon.
Thousands of people across the country are being affected by SCI’s right now. If you take time to think about it, you might realize that you know one or more people affected with a SCI. It could be someone in your family, friends, neighbors, the kid down the street, or even Superman. I hope you will honour them by contributing to this worthy cause. Your donation will help people affected by SCI’s in Canada and around the world.
Thank you for taking the time and I hope that you will consider supporting Spinal Research.
1. http://www.rickhanseninstitute.org/images/stories/One_Sheets/Reality_8.5x11_28MAY13.pdf
2. https://www.spinal-research.org/
******
Throughout my life, I’ve seen the devastation that follows spinal cord injuries (SCI’s). My son’s best friend sustained a neck injury in a bicycle accident and was in a neck brace for several months. He was very fortunate, but this could have been a life changing moment. My cousin, Diane, was not so lucky. She experienced a traumatic neck injury, paralyzing her from the neck down. In an instant, her life was transformed forever. Adding insult to injury, the monetary costs were astronomical.
With the love and support of her family, Diane lived as well as she could for many years. She showed strength, courage, and was driven to find treatment and specialized care. She paved her own way by starting her own nursing company, enabling her to travel and fulfill some of her goals. Diane passed away in 2010 from complications related to her injury, but she left a lasting impact on me.
About SCI’s. SCI’s can be traumatic or non-traumatic, yet the results are devastating. Imagine becoming a paraplegic or a quadriplegic; it would be an extremely difficult transition for anyone. The Rick Hansen Institute1 indicates that 86,000 people in Canada are currently affected by SCI’s, with 4,300 new cases each year. These numbers are expected to increase to 121,000 cases and 5,800 new cases per year by 2030.
One of the factors contributing to this rise is our aging population. Each case is highly specialized and complex, leading to additional healthcare expenses. If you consider new cases of traumatic injuries alone, the economic cost in Canada is 2.7 billion dollars. UK’s leading charity, Spinal Research2, which funds medical research around the world, aims to develop effective treatments for paralysis caused by SCI’s. They indicate that over 2.5 million people worldwide are currently paralyzed due to SCI’s.
What is Spinal Research’s strategy and goal? Spinal Research’s strategy is to build research capacity across the whole spectrum to strengthen its understanding of spinal cord injury, to help it discover novel targets as potential treatments. Secondly, to identify promising innovations for patient benefits and help accelerate those innovations through funding support. Lastly, to work with various stakeholders around the world with similar missions to collaborate and avoid duplication of efforts.
Spinal Research has funded numerous projects around the world that have strengthened our understanding of SCI’s. For example, Project INSPIRED is an imaging research study that aims to improve imaging of the brain and spinal cord via MRI scans. Another Canadian funded project called the Edmonton Project studied how electrical stimulation could help restore some hand functions, such as hand opening and grip.
How I became part of Team Spinal Research. I have been running for several years. Running helps me maintain balance and a healthy lifestyle. Being a busy bee, running provides an outlet for me disconnect from my day-to-day hustle and helps me put things into perspective. I can’t imagine my life without the ability to run.
I’ve given myself some pretty lofty running goals, including running the Six World Major Marathons: Berlin, Boston, Chicago, London, New York and Tokyo. So far, I’ve had the privilege to run both the Chicago and New York marathons. This year, I’m scheduled to run two more: Berlin and London.
While pursuing my running goals, I’ve paid special attention to the runners who have raised funds for charitable organizations. I always felt those who did so were driven to make a difference for others. Although my running goals are very personal, I was inspired to challenge myself further and see if I too could raise funds for a charitable organization. I was fortunate to be selected as a part of Team Spinal Research for the London Marathon and am aiming to raise $3,000 for this important organization that so many depend on. I am deeply honoured for my role on Team Spinal Research and cannot wait to run alongside this Team during the London Marathon.
Thousands of people across the country are being affected by SCI’s right now. If you take time to think about it, you might realize that you know one or more people affected with a SCI. It could be someone in your family, friends, neighbors, the kid down the street, or even Superman. I hope you will honour them by contributing to this worthy cause. Your donation will help people affected by SCI’s in Canada and around the world.
Thank you for taking the time and I hope that you will consider supporting Spinal Research.
1. http://www.rickhanseninstitute.org/images/stories/One_Sheets/Reality_8.5x11_28MAY13.pdf
2. https://www.spinal-research.org/
Organizer
Marc Rodrigue
Organizer
Timmins, ON
