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2007
March 1, 2007: Dana Reeve's courage, strength and compassion brought comfort and hope to millions of people living with paralysis and their families and caregivers. To commemorate Dana Reeve's tireless work on behalf of the paralysis community on the first anniversary of her passing, the Board of Directors of the Christopher Reeve Foundation announced today that the organization has been renamed the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation (CDRF). Dana Reeve, the late wife of Christopher Reeve and former Chairman of the Christopher Reeve Foundation, was revered as "America's caregiver." Her commitment to ensuring that Christopher lived a fulfilling life after his spinal cord injury, as well as her compassion for others living with paralysis, was an inspiration to people throughout the world. Dana Reeve's care and concern for those within the paralysis community motivated her heroic efforts to find cures and treatments and improve the quality of life of those living with disabilities. These passions, along with Dana Reeve's active role as a caregiver, led to the creation of the Foundation's Quality of Life grants program and Paralysis Resource Center. "Dana and Chris were blessed with a strong, enduring and creative partnership. Together they faced the daunting obstacles before them, and transformed the landscape of spinal cord injury and paralysis. They combined their individual strengths and resolve to bring both hope and tangible benefits to those individuals and families living with paralysis. We will always remember their joy, love and commitment, and will be reminded of their lasting gifts by the name of this Foundation," stated Dana Reeve's sister Deborah Morosini M.D. "Honoring Dana by incorporating her name is a lasting tribute to all that she worked so hard to achieve." Dana's sister Adrienne Morosini Heilman stated, "Dana brought many gifts to this world and that is why she is so sorely missed by all of us.ÊHer kindness and compassion towards others made her accessible to anyone and everyone. She simplyÊwas who she appeared to be. She and Chris lived with integrity and incredible optimism. It is comforting to know their shared vision will continueÊthrough the Foundation's good work and that her name is joined to his in their lasting legacy of hope." Despite the name change, the focus and mission of CDRF remains steadfast - the Foundation continues to be principally focused on finding cures through research and therapies but equally important are our Quality of Life initiatives.
April 13, 2007: The National Museum of American History was offered the chair by the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, but after Smithsonian officials made known that they wanted much more, the deal collapsed, according to the New York Post. "We want more than the wheelchair," Katherine Ott, a curator at the museum, told the Post. "We need the whole history of his experience, not just one piece. We want the fuller story, not just the chair. What if people look at only the chair 50 years from now? It won't tell the whole story." In addition to the wheelchair, the museum wanted Reeve's medications, exercise equipment and letters he wrote detailing his condition, which was caused by a horse-jumping accident in 1995. But reps for the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation and the National Museum of American History said yesterday that talks are continuing. Valeska Hilbig, a spokeswoman for the museum, said the Smithsonian also wants other items, such as Reeve's writings and his other medical and rehab equipment that could help document his life and work as an advocate for research on spinal-cord injuries.
April 13, 2007: Sunday April 15, 2007 is the 10th anniversary of Christopher Reeve's Hollywood Walk of Fame Star ceremony and party in Hollywood, California. CapedWonder.com is commemorating the occasion with a new gallery of never-before-released photos by Jim Bowers, Jo Addie and other friends; words of rememberance from Jo Addie and Lynn Anderson; and an exclusive "teaser" video from Jim and Jo Addie from their full-length star ceremony documentary available for purchase from their website.
June 7, 2007: The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation (CDRF) presented Robin Williams with the Christopher and Dana Reeve Philanthropy Award at "Making Magic Happen," the Foundation's 3rd annual Los Angeles Gala. Special guests and supporters of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation who attended the Gala last night at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel included: Dave Annable, Stephen Collins, Billy Crystal, Angie Harmon, Cheryl Hines, Bonnie Hunt, Rex Lee, Richard Kind, Haley Joel Osment, Monica Potter, Jane Seymour and Wilmer Valderrama. "After Christopher was paralyzed, Robin was the first person to make him laugh, and Robin stood by both Christopher and Dana through each triumph and challenge during their fight to find cures and treatments for spinal cord injury. Robin is a man of great depth and compassion and a loving friend to the Foundation as we go forward to realize the dreams of our founders," said Peter D. Kiernan, Chairman and CEO of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. "His philanthropic spirit is strong and should serve as an example of the essential decency in every one of us. We are inspired by Robin's generosity and altruism and are honored to present him with the much deserved Christopher and Dana Reeve Philanthropy Award." All proceeds from "Making Magic Happen" will support CDRF's ongoing efforts to find cures and treatments for spinal cord injury and to improve the quality of life for people living with disabilities through its grants program, Paralysis Resource Center and advocacy efforts.
June 19, 2007: On Friday June 22nd the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation will hold its annual summer benefit in Sag Harbor, New York, with Reeve family members, Alec Baldwin, Kim Cattrall, Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick. Back on the island, Radio City Music Hall hosts the premiere of the motion picture Live Free or Die Hard, starring Bruce Willis, who will be in attendance as well as co-stars Timothy Olyphant and Maggie Q. See. [The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation's Third Annual Summer Solstice Celebration, B. Smith's, Sag Harbor, 7 p.m., www.christopherreeve.org; Live Free or Die Hard, Radio City Music Hall, 1260 Sixth Avenue, 8:30 p.m., by invitation only.]
October 4, 2007: Arts Alliance America are releasing the DVD "Christopher Reeve: Hope in Motion" on November 6th, with a portion of the profits being donated to the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. "This intimate portrait focuses on Chris's remarkable recovery of movement and his constant fight to fully regain his mobility. Following Chris closely over many months of treatment and public campaigning for funds for stem cell research, this film was completed shortly before his death and shows his struggle to keep his hope alive. Sadly, Chris died before his most fervent wish could come to pass. What emerges through this film is a portrait of an intelligent, determined, candid and outspoken man who was able to maintain his sense of humor in the face of adversity. His inspiring personality will shine through as you follow his unpredictable, emotional journey." Click here to pre-order "Christopher Reeve: Hope in Motion" on DVD.
October 6, 2007: Matthew Reeve, 27, and Alexandra Reeve, 23, Christopher Reeve's two older children, sat down with ABC's "Nightline" co-anchor Cynthia McFadden to talk about the "Christopher Reeve: Hope in Motion" documentary which was released on DVD yesterday. Matthew said that one of the best things about making the documentary was "spending that amount of extra time with Dad, and with the family in general." Alexandra said "the amazing thing about this film, is that it shows that it wasn't always easy, that there were these down moments, and that it was sheer strength that got [my father] through." You can watch the interview online at the ABC News website. ABC News also has an article on Matthew and Alexandra's appearance on "Good Morning America".
November 12, 2007: USA Today reports that the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation's sold-out Magical Evening Gala at the Marriott Marquis on Monday drew many celebrity supporters, including Barbara Walters, Robin Williams, Philip Seymour Hoffman and magician David Blaine. Alexandra Reeve, 23, Christopher's daughter with actress Gae Exton, said Meryl Streep was a natural choice for the foundation's Dana Reeve Hope Award. "We started the award in honor of Dana to show a level of care and commitment of people to this cause, and Meryl's been there for us from the beginning from when Dad was first injured." "I'm very honored to be here and a little humbled," Streep said, adding, "I feel like I'm standing in light that they (the Reeves) cast. They were so charismatic in their advocacy." Robin Williams, who attended Juilliard with Christopher Reeve, described his friend's children as "survivors and elegant and honest." In addition to Alexandra, her brothers, Matthew, 27, and Will, 15, were at the gala.
