Mar 18, 2026

Support SCI Progress - Gala & Silent Auction Tix Available!

Quinn Brett


Last week, I asked you to “Save the Date” for our second annual fundraising gala and silent auction at Bird’s Nest Cafe in Estes Park, CO on Saturday, April 18, 2026. Well, now the time has come to buy your ticket!


Our movement is growing! Spinal Cord Injuries are getting cooler— well, the injury still sucks, but an awareness of how important functional recovery is to our quality of life continues to increase. 
 

This past February, U2FP kicked off our national campaign to increase federal funding for SCI research, and the energy was electric. We had over 100 individuals who met with nearly 50 congressional representatives and made the case to deepen investments in functional recovery research. This builds off our success at the state level where we have passed SCI research funding bills to the tune of $40M.
 

Back row: Deanna Jones, David Brunn, Dr. Monica Perez, Dr. Michael Lane
Front Row: Mark Flynn, Thomas Cloyd

Consider the ongoing impact of our work:
 

  • Restored $33M to the federal Spinal Cord Injury Research Program (SCIRP). SCIRP was eliminated by Congress last year. U2FP organized and led a national advocacy strategy with other SCI organizations. After a year of coordinated efforts, Congress restored funding for SCIRP at $33M/year just over a month ago!
     
  • Passed $40M in state legislation over the past eight years that is overseen by the SCI community and expert scientists. These research grants have already restored some level of lost function in over 200 individuals with an SCI - and we’re working to pass another $5M bill in Wisconsin right now!
     
  • Placed 43 individuals with a spinal cord injury into 25 SCI research labs as lived-experience consultants. This now includes a handful of our best consultants serving on the federal level for the Department of Defense’s medical review board for SCI research proposals. We just won a grant to help pay them and we are looking to expand this program. They all participate in the hopes that the research will someday benefit all those living with an SCI.

So join us on April 18th at the Bird’s Nest in Estes Park, CO! My friend and professional climber/filmmaker, Cedar Wright, will be there sharing some remarks alongside me. Plus there will be live music and encouraging updates on our work from my U2FP colleagues, Jason Stoffer and Lucia Webb!
 

Like last year our silent auction will be both in-person and virtual - that way folks who can’t make it to Colorado will still be able to participate! Bid on some high-quality art, book an outdoor adventure or secure a great vacation spot. Every dollar spent on these great items and experiences supports U2FP’s important work. 
 

Come join us - Jason and I will probably sing a song or two! Cedar will tell some tall tales of climbing and his relationship with spinal cord injury. The Birds Nest will serve some great local fare and bevs. Many of you will do all of these things this year anyway - why not do it AND change some lives in the process. 
 

Looking forward to seeing you there!


Quinn Brett, Development Director
U2FP


 

2026 Science & Advocacy Symposium Sponsors