Thank you Canada

Launch of the 25th Anniversary

On March 21, 2010 - the same day as the closing of the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games - the 25th Anniversary was launched at the Blusson Spinal Cord Centre, which included a $37.8 million commitment collectively from the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia.  

International collaboration

From December 2010 to June 2011, Rick and his team visited Israel, Jordan, Australia, China and the United States, recognizing global difference makers and signing seven collaborative agreements with global partners to advance spinal cord injury research and accessibility.

Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay

From August 24, 2011 to May 22, 2012, the cross-Canada Rick Hansen Relay travelled 12,000 kilometres through 600 communities from coast to coast, recognizing 7,000 Canadian difference makers who are having an impact in their communities. 

Nights of Inspiration

As the Relay travelled across the country, the Rick Hansen Foundation hosted fundraising galas that engaged individuals  and corporate communities in three of Canada’s major cities – Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver.  With a goal of raising funds for the Rick Hansen Foundation, these nights of inspiration included entertainment as well as a keynote address from Rick Hansen.  The three galas, collectively raised more than $1 million for the Rick Hansen Foundation.

planat

On October 12, 2011, the Rick Hansen Foundation (RHF) introduced planat, an online accessibility tool that allows individuals to post and search reviews on the accessibility of places to eat, shop, work and play. To encourage public and stakeholder engagement in populating the tool, RHF launched an incentive contest from April 16 to June 30, 2012, with the winner being selected July 31, 2012. 

Day of Possibilities

The Rick Hansen Day of Possibilities is the Foundation’s newest public awareness and fundraising campaign. Day of Possibilities will serve as an annual rallying point for Canadians to come together – on or before May 22 of every year – and hold fundraising events to ensure the Foundation can continue transforming the lives of people through supporting critical spinal cord injury research and accessibility programs.

Interdependence 2012: Global SCI Conference

From May 15 to17, 2012, RHF and the Rick Hansen Institute co-hosted 500 delegates from more than 20 countries and 40 international healthcare and research facilities at interdependence 2012. The conference provided a platform to showcase progress in spinal cord injury (SCI) research through speaker presentations, targeted workshops and product exhibits. Collaboration is key to advancing a cure to paralysis after an SCI and we hope to participate in future meetings where like-minded individuals gather to advance knowledge and translation of promising discoveries. 

Celebration 25

Before an audience of approximately 6,000, the 25th Anniversary of the Rick Hansen Man In Motion World Tour concluded with an evening of music and entertainment to honour difference makers from across Canada—each of whom share Rick’s vision of a healthy and inclusive world. The two-hour show, which will be packaged and broadcast on CTV on June 24, included performances by Sarah McLachlan, Jann Arden, Johnny Reid, David Foster, the Canadian Tenors, One More Girl, Marianas Trench, Don Alder and Shane Koyczan, and presentations from outstanding Canadians including David Suzuki, Craig Kielburger and Rick Hansen.