Dear Marilyn>,

The last month has been a whirlwind here at U2FP. Our highly successful 10th annual Working 2 Walk Symposium was followed two weeks later by the debut of Team SCIS/u2fp at the Chicago Marathon. I had the privilege of watching these competitors and couldn't be more proud. With the exception of one wheelchair racer who had an unfortunate equipment failure, everyone completed the grueling 26.2 miles. In the process they raised over $45,000 to support our fight for cures! Our very deepest thanks to everyone who supported the team.

Team SCIS/u2fp is not done yet, however. We have two racers competing in the Nov. 1 New York City Marathon, and a family of racers entered in the Nov. 7 Savannah Rock'n'Roll Marathon. Let's meet them (click on the picture to learn more and add your support).

Eddie Signer

The Forberg Family

Adam Finney

Videos of this year's Working 2 Walk presentations are coming online quickly. Six are now published with more to follow soon. If you weren't able to attend, or if you were there but want to refresh your memory, head over to our Video Library. As always, they are available at no charge (donations welcome!). Photos from both the conference and the Chicago Marathon are posted on U2FP's Facebook page, where you'll also find more frequent updates on the latest research and advocacy news.

Kate Willette, Working 2 Walk's resident live blogger, introduced her latest publication at the conference: Don't Call It a Miracle: The Movement to Cure Spinal Cord Injury. It's a 238-page book that is beautifully illustrated, and explains the basic biology of the injured cord, what approaches the scientists are taking to heal, mend or bypass the nervous system, and what a non-scientist can do to speed things along. As always, Kate writes in her user-friendly, easily understandable language, giving the lay reader access to an incredibly complex subject. Who knew that neuroscience and bureaucracy could be so entertaining?

This book is a must-read for everyone with a spinal cord injury, their family members and caregivers, clinicians, and all who advocate on behalf of the cure movement. I daresay even scientists would benefit! Follow this link to order your free copies. Kate is not stopping here, however. She wants to attend the 16th International Symposium on Neural Regeneration this December, where she will again write a Live Blog for the community. She's started a GoFundMe campaign to cover her expenses, so please visit her page if you can help support this effort.

Again, thanks to everyone who supported Team SCIS/u2fp, to all those who joined us in Bethesda for the Working 2 Walk Symposium, and to the Cure Warriors from around the world who continue to unite and fight paralysis.

Cheers,

Marilyn

Unite 2 Fight Paralysis     3078 Eliot Dr     Hood River OR 97031      u2fp.org

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