Aaron's Message
On October 24th, 1998 my life was changed forever. During a hockey game in Powell River, British Columbia, while playing for the Nanaimo Clippers, I was checked from behind into the boards and suffered a broken neck. The damage to my vertebrae was so severe that it cut my spinal cord, leaving me a quadriplegic. I now have no feeling or movement below my chest.
Immediately after my injury, a trust fund was set up and money was raised for equipment, supplies, renovations, and anything else I needed as a result of my condition. There was an overwhelming amount of support from family, friends, the community, and especially the world of hockey. I was truly lucky, and very grateful. All of this support allowed me to concentrate on my health and rehabilitation.
After all of my needs were taken care of, we started The Aaron Moser Spinal Cord Injury Foundation. The sole purpose of this foundation is to raise money toward spinal cord research and, ultimately, a cure for paralysis. In the world of foundations and other charities, we are relatively small. Because of this, there is no way we could open our own research facility, hire the doctors, and purchase the equipment needed to find a cure. We do, however, raise enough money to significantly contribute to existing research facilities dedicated to finding a cure for spinal cord injury.
With the ongoing support of the community and the hard work from the directors and members of the Foundation, we will continue to raise money through events such as our annual golf tournament. We will then, in turn, continue to support research facilities aimed at curing paralysis. I am very grateful to everyone involved with the Foundation and to everyone who supports it. With these efforts, I have no doubt that one day I will walk again.
Mission Statement
The Aaron Moser Spinal Cord Injury Foundation is an Alberta-based, non-profit foundation, whose mission is to encourage and support research to find a cure for paralysis caused by spinal cord injuries.
Background
The Aaron Moser Spinal Cord Injury Foundation was founded in December 1998 as a result of a tragedy that both motivated and inspired the citizens of Edmonton. In October of that same year, Aaron Moser, a local junior hockey player, was checked into the boards while playing hockey and suffered a broken neck, leaving him a quadriplegic. Immediately following the accident, a group of community-minded citizens banded together to help Aaron in the fight of his life. Through their compassion and generosity, the Aaron Moser Spinal Cord Injury Foundation was formed. The initial focus of the Foundation was to support Aaron and his family with both financial and emotional assistance. A dinner/auction was held in Aaron's honor, raising substantial funds for Aaron, the Sports Medicine Council of Alberta and the Spinal Cord Injury Treatment Centre Society. With inspiration from Aaron, the Foundation is committed to the ongoing battle to find a cure for spinal cord injury. Through continued fundraising efforts, such as the 5th Annual Aaron Moser Spinal Cord Injury Foundation Golf Tournament, the Foundation is determined to make a difference in the lives of those affected by spinal cord injuries.
Spinal
To date the Aaron Moser Spinal Cord Injury Foundation has helped to raise over $400,000.
Links:
www.scitcs.org
members.aol.com/scsweb/
www.icord.org
Letters
Aaron has been blessed with support from all areas of the community and the hockey world.
Aaron would like to share some of the letters he has received.
Contact
324 Hollick Kenyon Rd
Edmonton AB T5Y 2T4
phone: (780) 977-MOSE (6673)
amoser1@shaw.ca
Golf Tournament
For inquiries or further information contact:
Meredith Hull
phone: (780) 990-1144 ext 232 or (780) 902-7278
fax: (780) 476-5129
e-mail: mhull@canadaici.com
