In the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island today, Premier Pat Binns announced that the Province is investing $200,000 over the next five years to the Rick Hansen Foundation to help make Prince Edward Island communities more accessible and inclusive for Islanders with spinal cord injury (SCI) and to support research for a cure.
“In September 1987, Rick Hansen pushed his wheelchair across Prince Edward Island and shared his dream with Islanders as part of his amazing Man in Motion Tour around the world,” said Premier Binns. “Twenty years later, Prince Edward Island welcomes Rick Hansen’s return and we are proud to support his legacy through a contribution to his foundation and its mission.”
The Rick Hansen Foundation works to create more accessible and inclusive communities for people with a spinal cord injury, and supports the search for a cure. The Foundation achieves its goals by connecting the people and resources that make innovation possible to make a difference in the lives of people with SCI and related disabilities. The Government of Prince Edward Island, the Rick Hansen Foundation and the Canadian Paraplegic Association of PEI will sign a tri-party partnership in support of this initiative.
“Thank you to the government and people of Prince Edward Island for their support of the Rick Hansen Foundation. It is an honour to be in PEI with Premier Binns, the CPA and the community during this celebration of our 20th anniversary,” said Rick Hansen.
“This contribution will support the needs of Islanders with spinal cord injury and make immediate improvements to quality of life for people throughout the Island. Thanks to the leadership of Premier Binns and the power of collaboration with our partners at the Canadian Paraplegic Association of Prince Edward Island, we look forward to working together to ensure improved services for improved quality of life and provide solutions that benefit Islanders with spinal cord injury.”
“We are very excited to be partnering with the Government of PEI and the Rick Hansen Foundation,” said Brian Doucette of CPA-PEI. “We have a common goal to help people with spinal cord injuries and other mobility impairments. New funding for use in these areas will help make a difference in the lives of many. We look forward to working together over the next five years.”
For background on the Man in Motion World Tour, visit www.rickhansen.com
For background on the Canadian Paraplegic Association, visit www.canparaplegic.org
Rick Hansen Foundation:
Twenty years ago Rick Hansen inspired a nation to believe that anything is possible. During his epic Man In Motion World Tour (1985-87), Rick wheeled over 40,000 kilometers through 34 countries to achieve what many thought was an impossible goal. Along the way, Rick touched the lives of countless Canadians and united the country around a common purpose – the dream of improved quality of life for people with spinal cord injury (SCI) and the possibility of a cure.
The Man In Motion World Tour became a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of teamwork, and Rick’s courage and determination opened hearts and minds to the potential that lies in us all. Today, Rick’s leadership continues to shape new possibilities for improving the quality of life of people with spinal cord injury through the Rick Hansen Foundation. To date, the Rick Hansen Foundation has generated over $178 million in support of people with spinal cord injury, including the establishment of the International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD), the largest spinal cord research centre in the world; and investing in over 470 quality-of-life projects in communities across Canada through Rick Hansen Wheels In Motion.