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Frank Craig Society Luncheon
November 13, 2008
On November 13th, the crisp fall day was a perfect backdrop for the first annual Frank Craig Society luncheon held at the Governor’s Mansion Carriage House. Nearly 60 people gathered to celebrate their commitment to the future of Craig Hospital.
An informal question and answer session facilitated by Mike Fordyce and Denny O’Malley highlighted the necessity for improvements in Craig facilities over the next several years,
including renovation of existing patient rooms, and expansion of the hospital campus to better accommodate vital support services and space requirements.
Craig Endowment funds also remain a top priority due to declining healthcare reimbursements and increasing costs. The endowment will ensure the stability of patient assistance funds, enhance research funding and maintain key programs without compromising quality of care.
Members of the Frank Craig Society have made a powerful commitment to make a difference in the lives of patients at
Craig Hospital by including Craig in their estate plans. We
are humbled and grateful for this confidence in our efforts.
We hope to see you next year. Best wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season.

Kappa Book & Author Dinner
When: September 24, 2008
This year’s event took place at the Four Points Hotel By Sheraton at I-25 and Hampden Avenue. This event raises funds for the hospital’s Harry Hahn Scholarships. Our emcee this year was Kathy Walsh, CBS4 News Anchor and Reporter. The authors featured this year were: David Roberts, James Rollins, Marisa de los Santos and Brunonia Barry. Please click on the link to the Kappa website for further author information. Denverkappa.org
7th Annual Belair Excavating Sporting Clays Shoot
May 16th, 2008
Once again the Belair staff put on a fabulous event. There were several new participants in the clay shooting and as always, the awards, auction and drawings were the best ever. Over $24,000 were raised to help support the Craig Hospital therapeutic recreation program. Our sincere thanks to all who coordinated, donated auction items and participated. Looking forward to next year!
Holdin’ the Line Motorcycle Run and Casino Tournament June 8th, 2008
The Colorado Chapter of the Untouchables Motorcycle Club and Craig Hospital Foundation would like to thank everyone who participated in the Third Annual “Holdin’ the Line” run. This year $1,730 were raised for the Law Enforcement Rehabilitation Fund at Craig Hospital. The morning rain hindered the arrival of participants but after the clouds cleared away it turned into a beautiful day. We look forward to our event again next year – Mark your calendars for Saturday, July 26th, 2009.
Craig Hospital PUSH 2008 Dinner PUSH Dinner
The annual PUSH Dinner, held March 6, 2008 at the
Marriott Tech Center, proved to be the most successful and special PUSH event ever.
Two things happened to make this dinner so successful.
First,
the evening's proceeds surpassed $950,000. Of this, almost $840,000 will go
directly to vital research to improve recovery and quality of life after spinal cord
and brain injury.
Secondly,
to say that this year's event was inspirational is an understatement. Three
veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars were honored at the dinner. All had
sustained disabling injuries in the service of our country and all have been patients
at Craig Hospital. They were presented with the Christopher and Dana Reeve Inspiration
Award, and there is little doubt that the spirit and enthusiasm of these three men
- now fiercely striving to be "normal" rather than heroes - spilled over into the
audience. Guests bid top-dollar on auction items and then donated several of
them, such as front-row tickets to an upcoming Celine Dion concert, back to the vets
and their wives.
In the end, everything came together to make it a great evening, one that will continue
to bring hope to people with spinal cord and brain injuries and their families.
This year, hope was raised as our researchers made significant progress that makes
cell transplantation more
practical for humans -- so much so that they have started seeking their government's
approval for human tests. Another team of researchers will be studying the severe
pain that plagues many of those who are trying to cope with their disabilities.
We are confident that next year will bring more meaningful developments.
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