Frazier Rehab Institute to Host "Walk to Victory Over Paralysis" - Archived

Rehab Institute to Host “Walk to Victory Over Paralysis”
24 Hour Event will benefit Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation NeuroRecovery Network®

 

Louisville, Ky. (July 7, 2014) Frazier Rehab Institute, part of KentuckyOne Health and a member of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation’s NeuroRecovery Network (NRN), will participate in a 24-hour fundraising and awareness event, "Walk to Victory over Paralysis,” from 9 a.m. Saturday, July 19, through 9 a.m. Sunday, July 20, 2014.

 

Walk to Victory over Paralysis events will be held simultaneously at eight rehabilitation centers and fitness and wellness facilities nationwide. Frazier Rehab will host the local event at 220 Abraham Flexner Way. In addition to the 24-hour walk, other sites in the NRN are also supporting with fundraising efforts. The NRN goal is $30,000 at each center and fitness facility nationwide for a grand total of $330,000.

 

“There are close to six million Americans living with paralysis, many of whom could benefit from programs like the Reeve Foundation NeuroRecovery Network. Research tells us that locomotor training results in positive improvements, even for individuals who have been injured for some time,” said Susan Howley, Executive Vice President of Research, Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. “Walk to Victory over Paralysis is raising awareness about the importance of exercise after paralysis and this event will help generate support to expand the NRN nationwide.”

 

“Activity-based therapy and exercise is essential for someone who has experienced a spinal cord injury,” said Susan J. Harkema, PhD, NeuroRecovery Network Director for the Reeve Foundation, Director of Research at Frazier Rehab Institute, Professor and Rehabilitation Research Director at the University of Louisville Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center and Owsley B. Frazier Chair in Clinical Rehabilitation Research.  “We have so much more information today about recovery that is helping people lead healthier and more functional lives, and improving their overall quality of life.”

 

The community is encouraged to participate and make a donation to support the work of the Reeve Foundation’s NRN. Originated by the late Christopher Reeve, the NRN develops and expands access to activity-based therapies for people living with spinal cord injuries in order to improve their mobility, regain function, and increase their independence in living.  All of these capabilities represent victories over paralysis.

 

Funds raised will bring greater access to new, activity-based therapies for more patients with spinal cord injury. Frazier Rehab will use the funds generated to provide scholarships for people unable to afford therapy. Each center will use the funds for their greatest need from scholarships for people unable to afford therapy to more or better equipment in the facilities.

 

Other NRN sites participating in a Walk to Victory over Paralysis include:

• Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute  (Minneapolis, MN)
• Craig Hospital (Englewood, CO) 
• Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation (West Orange, NJ)
• Journey Forward (Canton, MA)    
• Magee Rehabilitation Hospital  (Philadelphia, PA)
• Neuroworx (South Jordan, UT)   
• NextSteps Chicago  (Willow Springs, IL)
• The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center  (Columbus, OH)

 

To donate to Frazier Rehab’s fund raising, please visit the Walk to Victory over Paralysis website at: www.ChristopherReeve.org/Victory2014.

 

About Frazier Rehab Institute

Frazier Rehab Institute, a part of KentuckyOne Health, is a comprehensive rehabilitation system with more than 20 locations throughout Kentucky and southern Indiana, providing therapy in acute care settings for inpatient and outpatient rehab needs.  Comprehensive rehab programs, highly skilled therapists, state-of-the-art-facilities and innovative therapeutic techniques have earned Frazier Rehab Institute national recognition.  Patients span the age range from infancy to geriatrics with a wide variety of diagnoses which include neurologic (spinal cord injury, brain injury and stroke), amputations, multiple trauma, orthopedic, arthritis, cardiopulmonary, congenital, developmental, degenerative, and general medical cases.

 

About the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation

The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research, and improving the quality of life for people living with paralysis through grants, information and advocacy. We meet all 20 of the Better Business Bureau's standards for charity accountability and hold the BBB's Charity Seal.  For more information please visit our website at ChristopherReeve.org or call 800-225-0292.

 

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