By Lucia Viti

Every movement has its moment, and the Reeve Foundation has found its own.

Calling all San Diego runners to lace up to help revolutionize the world of 6 million Americans inflicted with spinal cord injuries. Team Reeve, the fundraising arm of The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, is assembling its first All Star Running Team to run this month in two Uptown events, including the Suja Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Marathon on May 31.

Team Reeve All Stars will run united in Christopher Reeve’s dream of a world without wheelchairs. Although Reeve may be best known for his movie role as Superman, his life as an activist for the disabled defines his greatest accomplishments. Paralyzed during an equestrian competition in 1995, Reeve became a public and political spotlight for spinal cord trauma. Until his death in 2004, Reeve worked tirelessly to obtain funding to support the recovery and repair of neurological function from spinal cord injuries and complex diseases of the brain and central nervous system.

The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, established in 1999 as an adjunct of the American Paralysis Association, remains dedicated to curing spinal cord injuries. San Diego’s Team Reeve Chapter is working with the foundation to raise $15 million to afford 36 spinal cord injury patients the opportunity to participate in epidural stimulation therapy, a breakthrough study known as “The Big Idea.”

Epidural stimulation of the spinal cord has been shown to improve cardiovascular, bladder, bowel and sexual function; temperature regulation; the ability to stand; and voluntary control of legs for those suffering from paralysis. Its safety and efficacy have been proven on four patients, so The Big Idea will accommodate a larger and more diverse study group.

“Our mission is to prove the effectiveness of epidural stimulation and challenge the notion that the spinal cord, once damaged, can’t be repaired,” said Deborah Flynn, the foundation’s western regional director. “Funds will recruit 36 new participants to undergo epidural stimulation while collecting data to expedite therapy to the clinic where it could benefit many more; but it all starts with the next 36.”

“The Big Idea is more than a chance to support critical research,” said Stevie Hutchinson, the foundation’s projects and development manager. “It’s an opportunity to mobilize and transform lives. Fifteen million dollars will fast-track the most promising paralysis research to date – epidural stimulation – to reverse the damaging and life-threatening conditions associated with paralysis.”

The Reeve Foundation believes that The Big Idea will redefine what it means to live with spinal cord injury and positively alter the lives of patients who are dealing with multiple sclerosis, Lou Gehrig’s disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS) or strokes. This five-year study will also work with the FDA and other federal agencies to optimize the translation of its findings to clinical settings.

Olympic champion Amy Van Dyken-Rouen is captain of Team Reeve. The six-time gold medal winner survived an ATV accident in 2014 that severed her spinal cord and paralyzed her from the waist down. According to Team Reeve, “In the months that followed her accident, Dyken-Rouen used her injury as a platform to address the realities of living with spinal cord injury and the complexities of navigating the health care system.”

“As an Olympian and even more recently with my injury, I’ve learned that teamwork is paramount to success,” Van Dyken-Rouen said. “To truly make a difference — to change the world — we need to unite and charge towards the finish line. If my story inspires even one person to join Team Reeve, we will be one person stronger to advance our collective mission of discovering cures for spinal cord injury.”

Team Reeve, a growing initiative sponsored by volunteer steering committees, hosts athletic events to raise money and awareness through communities and corporations. Chapter activities also include education and media outreach to trauma and rehabilitation centers, Quality of Life recipients and the scientific community.

“This is a philanthropic endeavor that can change the world,” Flynn said. “Never stop moving, never stop hoping and together we will find the cures that so many people need.”

—Contact Lucia Viti at [email protected].