Organization to be known as Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation reflecting partnership, courage and compassion of the Reeves
SHORT HILLS, N.J., March 1 /PRNewswire/ — Dana Reeve’s courage, strength and compassion brought comfort and hope to millions of people living with paralysis and their families and caregivers. To commemorate Dana Reeve’s tireless work on behalf of the paralysis community on the first anniversary of her passing, the Board of Directors of the Christopher Reeve Foundation announced today that the organization has been renamed the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation (CDRF).
Dana Reeve, the late wife of Christopher Reeve and former Chairman of the Christopher Reeve Foundation, was revered as “America’s caregiver.” Her commitment to ensuring that Christopher lived a fulfilling life after his spinal cord injury, as well as her compassion for others living with paralysis, was an inspiration to people throughout the world. Dana Reeve’s care and concern for those within the paralysis community motivated her heroic efforts to find cures and treatments and improve the quality of life of those living with disabilities. These passions, along with Dana Reeve’s active role as a caregiver, led to the creation of the Foundation’s Quality of Life grants program and Paralysis Resource Center.
“If you spent 15 minutes with Christopher Reeve, you knew you were in the presence of a great man. If you spent 15 minutes with Dana Reeve, you felt like YOU were a great man. Together they were an unbeatable team,” said Peter D. Kiernan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of CDRF. “Since our mission is about care and cure, it is only natural for us to change the Foundation’s name to recognize Dana’s grace and inspiration. Our new name, the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, reflects the power of Dana’s involvement in our pursuits to expand and grow our work.”
“Dana and Chris were blessed with a strong, enduring and creative partnership. Together they faced the daunting obstacles before them, and transformed the landscape of spinal cord injury and paralysis. They combined their individual strengths and resolve to bring both hope and tangible benefits to those individuals and families living with paralysis. We will always remember their joy, love and commitment, and will be reminded of their lasting gifts by the name of this Foundation,” stated Dana Reeve’s sister Deborah Morosini M.D. “Honoring Dana by incorporating her name is a lasting tribute to all that she worked so hard to achieve.”
Dana’s sister Adrienne Morosini Heilman stated, “Dana brought many gifts to this world and that is why she is so sorely missed by all of us. Her kindness and compassion towards others made her accessible to anyone and everyone. She simply was who she appeared to be. She and Chris lived with integrity and incredible optimism. It is comforting to know their shared vision will continue through the Foundation’s good work and that her name is joined to his in their lasting legacy of hope.”
Despite the name change, the focus and mission of CDRF remains steadfast — the Foundation continues to be principally focused on finding cures through research and therapies but equally important are our Quality of Life initiatives.
About CDRF
The Christopher and 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. For more information please visit our website at http://www.christopherreeve.org/site/c.ddJFKRNoFiG/b.4048063/k.C5D5/Christopher_Reeve_Spinal_Cord_Injury_and_Paralysis_Foundation.htm or call 800-225-0292.
SOURCE Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation