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Reeve Foundation to Support Local Disabled Athletes

Loma Linda University Medical Center East Campus was awarded a $5,000 Quality of Life grant from the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation

Loma Linda University Medical Center East Campus has received a $5,000 Quality of Life grant from the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation for the PossAbilities Paralympic program.

The award was one of 76 grants totaling almost $450,000 awarded by the Reeve Foundation to nonprofit organizations nationwide that aid in providing more opportunities, access and daily quality of life for individuals living with paralysis, their families and caregivers. Since the program was developed in 1999 by the late Dana Reeve, almost 2,000 grants have been awarded, totaling over $15.2 million. 

Loma Linda University Medical Center East Campus will leverage the grant with other funding sources to purchase training equipment for its PossAbilities Paralympic program.

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PossAbilities is a community outreach program at Loma Linda University Medical Center East Campus. It provides recreational and social opportunities for people with disabilities.

“We’re excited to be able to partner with the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation to support our challenged athletes,” said Pedro R. Payne, manager of PossAbilities. “Through the PossAbilities Paralympic program, our athletes have an opportunity to pursue their Olympic dreams. Thanks to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation for helping make these dreams possible!”

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“The Quality of Life Grants Program allows us to connect with other nonprofit organizations to enable individuals living with paralysis and their families to enhance their daily livelihood,” said Peter T. Wilderotter, president and CEO of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. “Promoting as much freedom and independence as possible for individuals living with paralysis is a tenet of our mission. The Quality of Life Grants do just that.”

The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation Quality of Life grants program was conceived by the late Dana Reeve to address the myriad needs of children and adults with paralysis and other mobility impairments and their families. Grants support critical life-enhancing and life-changing initiatives that improve physical and emotional health and increase independence. Funded projects offer a diversity of services and approaches: improving access; providing education and job training; sponsoring organized sporting activities; and much more. Quality of Life grants are funded through a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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