September 16, 2026

Rock in a Hard Place

Matthew Rodreick

Next Wednesday September 23rd is our 2nd annual Rock for SCI Research benefit concert, with Eric Howk (of Portugal. The Man) headlining. He’ll be joined by my son Gabriel’s band, Freaque, and my own band Zoë Says Go. 

We’ll also be running a virtual auction during the show that anyone, anywhere can participate in. 
 

Registration for the virtual auction is free, and we have some great items up for bidding that include cool gear, beautiful art and accessible vacation homes - plus much more!

As a reminder, this event is meant to celebrate the restoration of $33M to the federal SCI research budget, which happened after a year of hard, strategic work led by U2FP. So many of you were pivotal in making that happen, through your engagement, advocacy, calls and financial support!

But as you know, $33M is not enough. $40M is not enough. Instead, we need to expand SCI research funding so that it at least matches the burden of this condition. 
 

This graph visualizes the research investment within the NIH, relative to the “condition/disease burden” of rare neurological conditions. The assumption is that the taxpayer should be investing in conditions or disease research relative to the “burden” of living with that condition based on the Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs). The current NIH investment in research for spinal cord injury is disproportionately low compared to its “burden” on the individual in terms of quality of life and the taxpayer in terms of healthcare and opportunity costs.

Some of you helped us make this argument to federal legislators at our Capitol Roll back in February. It makes clear how federal research budgets are disproportionately underfunded to address the severity of SCI. 

Our 2nd Annual Rock for SCI Research benefit concert is a moment to pause and celebrate our successes. And it’s also a moment to recommit ourselves to the movement for functional recovery.
 

We need your voices and we need your support. Please come out and join the show next Wednesday, September 23 at The Cedar Cultural Center at 7pm. If you’re not able to come, please support our work by donating directly or bidding on items in the virtual auction.

Thanks for your support - and let’s get ready to rock out!