Paralysis This Striking Image Perfectly Captures the Momentum That Drives the Reeve Foundation
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Paralysis This striking image perfectly captures the momentum that drives the Reeve Foundation. It was part of our first-ever national advertising campaign, launched in 2008 with a series of provocative images and a revitalized brand identity, including a new logo and tagline. These creative elements were the collective genius of BBDO New York, which offered its talents entirely pro bono. Omnicom Group companies contributing to this effort included BBDO New York, PHD, MMI, Atmosphere BBDO, DesignWorks, EyeWonder, and Outdoor Media Alliance. We are humbled by their generosity and honored by their commitment to our mission. “I’m more impressed by the heroism of ordinary individuals, or people who find the courage to persevere and overcome obstacles every day. Sometimes you think about the heroism it takes to live a daily life because for so many people, just living daily life is enormously challenging. So, I don’t think of larger than life individuals. I think about ordinary people who find the strength to endure [as heroes].” – Christopher Reeve Table of Contents Message from the Chairman 6 Message from the President & CEO 8 Research 10 Individual Research Grants International Research Consortium on Spinal Cord Injury North American Clinical Trials Network NeuroRecovery Network Quality of Life 14 Paralysis Resource Center Quality of Life Grants Multicultural Outreach Advocacy 18 Military Programs 20 Team Reeve 21 Chapters 22 Magic Events 24 Corporate Friends 26 Donor List 28 Financial Statements 35 Message from the Chairman Dickens was right. to fund our military program. The Hughes Family has a record of generosity to this organization that It was the best of times and the worst of times. is second to none. And in the market’s darkest hour, Helen Hughes, our dear friend Mike’s devoted At your Foundation, we are experiencing some of the widow, channeled her inner Warren Buffett. When most exciting developments in our history even as the donors were running in fear at the market’s trough, economic backdrop brings a daily reminder that we Helen stepped up and led the creation of our military need to be vigilant about costs and fundraising. initiative. Her courageous actions signal that the time The market’s tale of woe has been well-documented; has come to do something for these outstanding young so allow me to use this space to share some of the men and women of our armed forces who are living extraordinary developments we are experiencing at with paralysis and spinal cord injury. the Reeve Foundation. At long last our nation is embracing the paralysis Everywhere we go we are finding partnership and community. President Barack Obama signed the first chapter opportunities. In Chicago, the O’Connor law of the land focused on people living with paralysis family, including John, senior, Jon, junior, and sister — the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Kelly Heneghan, have brought the Reeve Foundation Act. This law will promote collaborative research, from the germ of an idea to a strong local presence. rehabilitation and quality of life initiatives for millions Merger activities with the QUAD Foundation in San of Americans living with paralysis and spinal cord Diego and the Arizona Spinal Cord Injury Association injuries. Many people fought for years and years to in Phoenix have brought powerful and able voices gain its passage. We thank the dozens and dozens to the task. The list of our chapters is growing, and who never gave up. Every time we were rejected, we are pleased to welcome our newest and very postponed, tabled, and dismissed our brave supporters enthusiastic partners in Colorado led by Amy Quinn, simply re-engaged – they literally refused to quit. who is another dedicated member of the Stifel clan. And in recent months we announced the result of a We are blessed that Christopher Reeve’s eldest multi-year research effort to unlock the secrets of children, Matthew and Alexandra, are playing such the prevalence of paralysis and spinal cord injury. vital roles in the organization. Each serves on the Researchers contacted over 33,000 households for Executive Committee. They chair the Champions in-depth phone interviews - the largest such paralysis Committee, which brings vigor and youthful energy study in history. MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN FROM MESSAGE to our work. Theirs is the propulsion behind such The results were nothing short of a breakthrough innovative and exciting initiatives as Reeve Rocks in our understanding and command of the subject and Team Reeve — literally bringing hundreds of matter. For years the US spinal cord population was young professionals to Rock, Roll and Run to the pegged at 250,000. This research conclusively proves lasting benefit of their father’s legacy. I know he and that there are five times that many, and it shows Dana would be bursting with pride at the way they are with uncontestable clarity that 1 in 50 Americans is playing an ongoing leadership role. And believe me… paralyzed. The data are rich, and we will spend the having gotten to know them… they are just getting next years making sure policy makers in Washington, warmed up. insurance companies and regulators, and the medical Staying with the family theme, we have to thank the establishment have the right insights as they evaluate Hughes family yet again for their groundbreaking gift the vexing problem that is paralysis in our country. 6 Elsewhere we are finding exciting breakthroughs a decade. It is because we are trustees and not in our research and science. Our NeuroRecovery shareholders. We regularly turn to new leadership for Network is changing the lives of people who are fresh thinking and new ideas. And in the nature of paralyzed in ways once thought impossible. Improved things charitable, there is an orderly expectation for health, independence, quality of life, and yes, in some change at the top without fanfare or struggle. patients, even recovered function, are commonplace The time has come to pass the reins, and we are for patients in the program. blessed that Jack Hughes is assuming the role of It is impossible not to acknowledge the exciting Foundation Chair. There is no one better prepared. developments in stem cell research - but not in the He has served as head of numerous committees, and way you might imagine. We were pleased to be asked his understanding of the science dwarfs my own. And by the President to attend his ceremony announcing the legacy he serves, of his father Michael, his mom the lifting of the stem cell ban. But frankly, we are not Helen, and his brother Greg, who serves as head of the much into ceremony. New England chapter, makes him the ideal choice to lead the organization today. Consortium scientists are using stem cells as the formidable research tool they are, for example, using Jack will be ably assisted by our talented and human cells to create “spinal cord injury in a dish.” dedicated CEO, Peter Wilderotter. It has been a Studies might include cutting axons and watching pleasure to try and match Peter’s intellect and energy real-time physical and biochemical changes that since he took the CEO reins. I have enjoyed every occur, or using that injury in a dish to test potential moment of our partnership. We are in very good hands therapeutic interventions. This is the real excitement with Peter on the bridge. of stem cells. We are blessed by a dedicated board and staff. Even as our Consortium charts advances, we are still Imagine another foundation enduring and prospering active in funding individual grants from the most after the loss of not one but both of its founders. promising scientists. We are essentially running There is no group I have ever encountered with more a laboratory without walls - with efficiency and courage, stamina, and grace under fire than our Board economy always in mind. We do not own a single and our staff. They bring luster to our name by their building or a test tube or a lab coat. Your money goes constancy and dedication through every adversity - to the very best research and quality of life initiatives, not just with the will to survive…. but to thrive. and we monitor every penny as if it were our own. And so in the nature of things we will embrace We do so because we routinely have to turn away change with this outstanding team, without fanfare excellent and highly promising research — research or fuss. We have people to help, cures to find, and we are convinced will help lead to cures — because money to raise. And we haven’t a moment to waste on we haven’t enough funds. That is the simultaneous approbation and commendation. joy and frustration in our work. We are clearly and Let’s get right to work. obviously advancing on cures — but we run out of money long before we run out of opportunity. That’s Thank you for the most energizing 5 years of my life. why your continuing support is worth the sacrifice you God Bless. make to give to our mission. By the time you read this, nearly five years will have passed since Chris passed away and over three and a half years since we lost Dana. It is impossible not to Peter D. Kiernan, III look back and reflect on the dramatic advancements Chairman, Board of Directors made in their names, even in the short time since they left us. There is a reason that philanthropies can last for MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN FROM MESSAGE hundreds of years and businesses struggle to last 7 Message from the President & CEO The theme of our 2008 Annual Report can be summed up in a word: Momentum.