“Dana Reeve’s untimely death last evening, less than two years after losing her husband Christopher, has saddened all of us here at United Spinal Association. Her commitment to press on with the work of the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation inspired and strengthened us in the wake of Christopher’s death, and now we find ourselves mourning, yet again, the passing of a courageous advocate for people with spinal cord injury and disorders. We particularly admired Dana’s genuine compassion for the disabled community and her tenacity for this worthy cause. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family.

United Spinal has long shared the mission of the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation and today we re-commit ourselves to partnering with this important institution in the ongoing search for new treatments, improved technology, greater public awareness, and, ultimately, a cure for the devastating effects of spinal cord injury and disorders. Today we acknowledge our common goals and pledge to carry on the fight for which Dana Reeve and Christopher Reeve so selflessly devoted their energy, their time, and their resources to winning.”

United Spinal Association has empowered people with spinal cord disabilities for 60 years. The organization helped build the PVA-United Spinal Association Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research at Yale University in 1988 and they have contributed millions of dollars over the years to finding a cure for spinal cord injury and disorders. United Spinal also provides significant annual funding to the Spinal Cord Damage Research Center at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center, where investigators study the impact of a spinal cord injury on other critical body systems.