[h=2]Schmidt’s Conquer Paralysis Now Gala raises $501,500[/h] Tuesday, 20 June 2017


By Marshall Pruett / Image courtesy of ConquerParalysisNow.org

The totals are in from Sam Schmidt's Conquer Paralysis Now Gala held in the days prior to the 101st Indianapolis 500, and $501,500 was raised during the "Dancing to Recover" benefit.
"Having the event attached to the 101st running of the Indy 500, and in close proximity to the racing community, was a huge success," the IndyCar team owner said of the 18th annual fundraiser. "I personally want to thank everyone for their generosity and belief in our ambitious goals. We are more determined than ever to find a cure for paralysis thanks to your support."
Formed in 2000, the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation (which changed its title to Conquer Paralysis Now in 2014) has raised millions of dollars to facilitate medical research to overcome paralysis, and to aid those in need of support.
"Each year in May, the Indianapolis community and IndyCar drivers join together to support this important fundraiser with a goal to cure paralysis," said CPN executive director Craig Williams. "We are very grateful to all of our supporters, including our primary Gala sponsors, Arrow Electronics and American Honda Motor Company. With their continued support, we are able to fund the efforts of researchers and scientists who are moving ever closer to significant breakthroughs in spinal cord injuries."
According to CPN, which serves as one of the most active IndyCar-related charities, the distribution of Gala donation funds continues within the research community.
"Stage 1, Rounds 1 and 2 CPN Challenge prizes of $1.2 million have already been awarded to 14 researchers for their unconventional, disruptive approaches," it wrote. "One of the research grants awarded by CPN this past year was to one of the gala guests, Dr. Samy Meroueh, of the Stark Neurosciences Research Institute at the Indiana University School of Medicine. CPN also awarded grants to Dr. Ann Parr and Dr. Michael McAlpine at the University of Minnesota collaborating with Dr. Susan Cerqueira, University of Miami. The $100,000 research grant was awarded as part of the CPN Challenge's Lone Star Foundation Collaboration Award."