The holidays are a whirlwind of special days. In addition to Thanksgiving and Christmas, you have Black Friday, Cyber Monday and, of course, Giving Tuesday. This year we are asking you to consider adding the Spine Health Foundation to the non-profits you support on the big day. Your support helps people get out of pain, into hope, and back to life.
1. Research. The life saving research we conduct at the Foundation is critical to cultivating the treatments and solutions so many people are desperate for. Research on things like robotic surgery, stem cells and augmented reality treatments are on the long list of things we are studying to find innovative solutions for you and your loved ones.
2. Patient Education. Being a resource for patients seeking guidance on their spine health diagnosis is priority for us. Through our Spine-Talks series with top spine surgeons, our Spine Health Journal, the “Get Back To It” podcast and Spine Health Guides, we offer a wealth of trusted resources for the millions of Americans who need them.
3. Spinal Champion Program. Our Spinal Champion program features individuals who have achieved an improved quality of life through treatment for neck or back pain. We feature the stories of inspiring individuals who showcase the hope that is available through both surgical and non-surgical treatments.
As an introduction to some of what we do, please see some of our favorite Spinal Champion stories from the past year:
Scoliosis Didn’t Stop Her: Dancer Paige Fraser
Paige Fraser is a dancer who overcame the odds of Scoliosis. Originally from the Bronx, NY, she is has been dancing for years and was recently part of the national tour of The Lion King. In 2017, she co-founded The Paige Fraser Foundation, with a mission to create a safe space for dancers with or without disabilities
Spinal Champion Ray: Professional Runner’s Success After Surgery
Ray Pugsley has been running most of his life. He ran in high school, college and post-collegiately for Reebok. In 1996, he qualified for the Olympic Trials in the 5,000 meters on the track.
Unfortunately, he soon suffered a herniated disc in L5 S1. After consulting with doctors, he underwent a laminectomy. His recovery from the surgery went very well and he was able to run personal records in all of his running events within a couple of years of surgery.
Spinal Champion Alayne Wadsworth: Inspring Story
Scoliosis Warrior and dancer Alayne Wadsworth journeyed through Scoliosis and continued to pursue her dreams despite the odds. She later appeared on “Dancing with the Stars” and coached teams that made it on the very popular “World of Dance” and “America’s Got Talent” television shows.
If you want to see more beautiful stories of hope like these, consider a Giving Tuesday donation. If you want to see more research conducted to bring people out of pain and into hope, consider a Giving Tuesday donation. We’ll see you on December 1st!
