Media Advisory: March 16 2012
Local Spinal Cord Injury Community Services Network to Celebrate Rick Hansen’s Homecoming
The BC Spinal Cord Injury Community Services Network will celebrate the arrival of the Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay to Rick’s home province of British Columbia as it crosses the Alberta BC border on March 19th ending the day in Prince George. In honour of this day, the BC Spinal Cord Injury Community Services Network and the GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre, part of Vancouver Coastal Health, will host a special event attended by Chief Executive Officer of the Rick Hansen Foundation, Mr. Art Reitmayer, at the GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre. The event will celebrate Rick’s successes as well as the achievements of other spinal cord injury organizations in British Columbia over the past 25 years.
“As we enter into British Columbia for the final leg of the 25th Anniversary Relay’s cross Canada tour, we are thrilled to see such support and encouragement from the BC Spinal Cord Injury Community Services Network,” says Art Reitmayer, CEO of the Rick Hansen Foundation. “As we look to the future, partnerships built from a shared vision of healthy and inclusive BC communities will be key to ensuring the Rick Hansen Foundation can continue its work of supporting these very important organizations for years to come.”
Spinal Cord Injury BC Executive Director, Chris McBride said that there is a great deal to be celebrated. “Over the past 25 years life for people with spinal cord injury has become more inclusive and accessible.” Says McBride. “Rick has inspired many and his Foundation has supported our organizations to provide innovative and world-class services to people with spinal cord injury and other physical disabilities throughout BC.”
Patients at GF Strong, along with staff, members and clients of each of the five organizations that make up the BC Spinal Cord Injury Community Services Network have been invited to attend this event, which will include remarks from Mr. Duane Geddes, Executive Director of the Sam Sullivan Disability Foundation, and Mr. Art Reitmayer, Chief Executive Officer at the Rick Hansen Foundation. The event will also showcase interactive displays highlighting each of the organizations services and achievements.
Join Us
When: Monday 19 March, 3pm-5pm.
Where: GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre Gymnasium – 4255 Laurel St Vancouver, BC V5Z 2G9
What: A celebration of Rick Hansen’s* return to British Columbia
* Please note that Rick Hansen will not be attending this event.
For more information please contact Jennifer King, Communications Specialist at the BC Paraplegic Association. Email: jking@sci-bc.ca Phone: 604-326-1203 Mobile: 604-710-6382
About the BC Spinal Cord Injury Community Services Network
The BC Spinal Cord Injury Community Services Network is comprised of five community focused organizations dedicated to improving the lives of over 12,000 British Columbian’s with spinal cord injury, as well as people with other disabilities, their families and friends. The organizations work collaboratively to provide the best and most essential community services throughout the province.
Spinal Cord Injury BC (SCI-BC): Helps people with spinal cord injuries (or related physical disability) and their families adjust, adapt and thrive by providing answers, information and unique community experiences.
BC Wheelchair Basketball Society (BCWBS): Actively promotes opportunities for participation, recreation, competition, and excellence in the sport of wheelchair basketball in British Columbia.
BC Wheelchair Sports Association (BCWSA): Provides exceptional wheelchair sports programs and services to people with physical disabilities across the province.
Neil Squire Society: Provides education, technology and career development for people with physical disabilities through complete end-to-end services.
Sam Sullivan Disability Foundation: Parent organization to six major societies aimed at improving access, opportunities and quality-of-life for people with significant physical disabilities.
