September 15, 2010
JON MIZE - PARA-ARCHER EXTRAORDINAIRE
Reprinted from SSPF e-Newsletter, September 2010 issue

“Whether you think you can or whether you think you can’t, you’re right.” (Henry Ford)   Jon Mize first shot a bow at the age of six.  His dad encouraged his love of spending time outdoors, hunting and target shooting.  Jon had an active childhood and became an accomplished athlete and sportsman....   more→

September 14, 2010
MONEY FOR SPINAL CORD RESEARCH
Sam Schmidt's Fraternity Brothers Join Him in Fundraising Effort

Reprinted from Psi Upsilon Today - News & Notes   Fraternity brothers: (Left) Jeff Hamilton, '03, Chris Franco, '11 and Bobby Trentacosta '11 along with Executive Council member Bill Wishard, Delta Delta '64 (Williams) and Sam Schmidt, Lambda Sigma '86. Founding father of the Lambda Sigma chapter at Pepperdine University, Sam Schmidt, suffered a spinal cord injury during an Indy Car practice in January 2000....   more→

August 31, 2010
FOLLOW-UP TO SSPF's DAY AT THE RACES EVENT, CHICAGOLAND SPEEDWAY
by Sahar Hassani, Shriners - reprinted with permission

  “I love being at the race track,” smiled Mary Boswell, a patient at Shriners Hospitals for Children-Chicago. “In the infield, it is so much fun. You can meet the race car drivers, check out their cars and meet the team members.” Thanks to the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation, each year people with disabilities can enjoy an exciting day at the track to watch the IndyLights and Indy races....   more→

August 25, 2010
DAY AT THE RACES INFINEON RACEWAY
A V.I.P Experience from Beginning to End

Our Day at the Races event at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, CA on Saturday, August 21 started at the top - literally.  Thanks to Infineon track officials, the 40+ guests were directed to V.I.P. parking at the top of the hill near the team hospitality area. On this beautiful day in California we enjoyed the best view of the track from the Andretti Hospitality Tent....   more→

August 15, 2010
SAM SCHMIDT PARALYSIS FOUNDATION ENHANCING QUALITY OF LIFE
Notes of Appreciation from Two Recent Quality of Life Grant Recipient Organizations

The Sam Schmidt Paralysis Fouundation is committed to curing paralysis.  Until that day comes, the Foundation supports organizations that benefit the disabled.  We received these messages of thanks for recent Quality of Life Grants. From Jim Graham at RHI: "Through a grant from the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation, the Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana Sports Program in Indianapolis, IN was able to purchase a youth “...   more→

August 14, 2010
FEEDBACK FROM DAY AT THE RACES, IOWA SPEEDWAY 2010

We were pleased to learn that the Pella, Iowa Chronicle featured a story about our recent Day at the Races event at Iowa Speedway in Newton, as follows: “An invitation was recently extended to six gentlemen and two staff from the Christian Opportunity Center by the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation (SSPF) to attend “...   more→

August 13, 2010
WHAT IS OUR "RUN, WALK 'N WHEELATHON" PROGRAM?

After years of persistent knocking at the doors of racetrack administrators and promoters, in 2009 Ida Cahill was successful in scheduling two “Run, Walk 'N Wheelathon” events, held in conjunction with Indycar race weekends.  Proceeds of our Run, Walk ‘N Wheelathon fundraisers are earmarked for paralysis research, helping the almost six million people in the United States who have some form of paralysis....   more→

July 30, 2010
FOLLOW-UP TO RUN, WALK 'N WHEELATHON EDMONTON
Event was held on Friday, July 23, 2010

   The second annual Run, Walk ‘N Wheelathon in Edmonton, Alberta Canada was held on Friday, July 23.  Edmonton is the second largest city in Alberta after Calgary and is the hub of Canada's sixth-largest census metropolitan area. The weather held up for this event and the 130 participants experienced the thrill of a lifetime, running, walking or wheeling around the temporary race course at City Centre Airport in conjunction with the Honda Indy Edmonton....   more→

July 30, 2010
F.D.A. CLEARS WAY FOR EMBRYONIC STEM CELL TRIAL USING PATIENTS
Article by Andrew Pollack, reprinted from the New York Times

The world’s first authorized test in people of a treatment derived from human embryonic stem cells has been cleared to begin by the Food and Drug Administration.  The trial will test cells developed by Geron Corporation and the University of California, Irvine in patients with new spinal cord injuries. The F....   more→

July 29, 2010
MICHELLE MURRAY NAMED SPOKESPERSON FOR DIMENSIONS WEEKLY MAGAZINE
Michelle is a Friend of the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation

We are excited to announce that Nashville recording artist and Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation spokesperson Michelle Murray has been named the new spokesperson for Dimensions Weekly Magazine.  For the last few years, Michelle has generously volunteered some of her time to sing at Foundation events, and takes every opportunity to spread the word about the work of the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation....   more→

July 26, 2010
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
20 Year Anniversary Salute

It’s been 20 years since the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) became the law of our land. Before then, individual states mandated rules such as cut curbs, building access and transportation, which resulted in wide variations. You never knew what to expect. Effective accessibility laws have enabled people in wheelchairs to become a part of our society....   more→

July 23, 2010
FOLLOW UP ON 2nd ANNUAL RUN WALK 'N WHEELATHON TORONTO
Hundreds of Participants Flood the Track!

On Thursday, July 15th, 2010, hundreds of participants raced to find a cure for paralysis at the 2nd Annual Honda Indy Toronto Run Walk N Wheelathon.  Runners, walkers and wheelers of all ages supported the Shoot For A Cure campaign and the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation, raising just over $25,000, double the amount raised at last year'...   more→

July 19, 2010
FOLLOW UP TO SSPF'S DAY AT THE RACES EVENT, IOWA SPEEDWAY
Includes a Reprint of a Press Release from the Christian Opportunity Center

We were pleased to welcome several people from the the Christian Opportunity Center in Pella Iowa among the guests at our Day at the Races held at Iowa Speedway on June 19, 2010.  Later, the Center distributed the following press release about the great time their clients had with us: “...   more→

July 15, 2010
2010 RACING TO RECOVERY GOLF TOURNAMENT
To be held on Friday, 11/5/10

This year's Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation Racing To Recovery Golf Tournament will be held on Friday, November 5, 2010 at 9:00 am, South Shore Golf Club, Lake Las Vegas, NV.  Watch for more information to come!      2009 winning group: John Hickey, Jim Evans, Ron Futrell, Craig Reed, Steve Roeth ...   more→

June 27, 2010
RUN, WALK 'N WHEELATHONS IN JULY: TORONTO & EDMONTON CANADA
Your chance to experience the Honda Indy Toronto & Honda Indy Edmonton race courses!

START YOUR ENGINES!  Toronto: Join us for the 2nd Annual Honda Indy Toronto 5K Run, Walk 'N Wheelathon Toronto, Canada on Thursday, July 15, 2010 in support of Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation, Shoot for a Cure and Canadian Spinal Research Organization. To view Toronto Run, Walk 'N Wheelathon event flyer, click here....   more→

June 14, 2010
DAY AT THE RACES INDIANAPOLIS 2010
On May 16, 2010 the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation hosted a very special Day at the Races program at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

We were honored to include as guests 2010 Miss Wheelchair Indiana, Joey Murello and 2009 Miss Wheelchair Indiana Emily Munson.  Also in attendance were members of the Brawler’s Quad Rugby Team, Sudden Impact Soccer Team, the Wheelin’ Sportsmen, and ICAN Indiana Canine Assistant Network.  Clients of Dixie Chopper/Rehab Ideas ...   more→

June 1, 2010
RESEARCH NEWS
Grant Provided to Dr. Soheila Karimi, PhD

  The Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation recently provided a grant to Soheila Karimi, PhD of the Toronto Western Hospital Research Institute.  Her stem cell research study is focused on a combinatorial strategy to optimize neural repair and plasticity after chronic spinal cord injury.   Most of the search for treatments to repair the damaged spinal cord and restore lost function has focused on new injuries....   more→

May 24, 2010
11th ANNUAL RACING TO RECOVERY GALA: HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE RAISE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO FUND PARALYSIS RESEARCH AND QUALITY OF LIFE PROGRAMS
Sparkling, Vegas-Themed Evening Included Live Auction, Dinner, Drivers and a Memorable Award Ceremony

Each year the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation plays host for a “Racing to Recovery Gala” to celebrate and recognize the achievements of the Foundation, its partners and its supporters.  On a balmy night in May, hundreds of people came together to raise thousands of dollars to fund research to help discover a cure for paralysis and to help those with disabling spinal cord injuries....   more→

May 14, 2010
SAM SCHMIDT TAKES TO THE SKIES AGAIN
Centennial Era Balloon Festival

http://www.theindychannel.com/video/23531905/index.html  Without a doubt, the month of May is the busiest time of year for former IndyCar racer and current team owner, Sam Schmidt, with the Indianapolis 500, Freedom 100, and his Racing to Recovery Gala all taking place within days of each other.  Schmidt began this month with yet another event....   more→

April 15, 2010
A GREAT TIME AT THE PARNELLI JONES MUSEUM
Fundraiser for the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation

 On April 13, 2010 forty friends of the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation attended an exclusive evening with Parnelli Jones at his personal racing museum, with proceeds benefiting SSPF.  Parnelli personally provided guided tours of his wonderful private collection of cars and racing memorabilia from his years as a driver and team owner....   more→