May 4, 2009
BALLOON FESTIVAL IN INDIANAPOLIS
Sam Schmidt in a Hot Air Balloon

  On Saturday, May 2nd, the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation sponsored the winning hot air balloon in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's Centennial Era Balloon Festival.  Sam Schmidt himself got to go up in the balloon the very next day.  He said of the experience, "Fantastic opportunity to be flying in the race this morning....   more→

April 24, 2009
SAM SCHMIDT TO RECEIVE PRESTIGIOUS AWARD
Distinguished Alumni Award from Pepperdine University To Be Presented on May 2

The Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation is pleased to announce that Sam Schmidt will be presented with the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Frank R. Seaver College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences at Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA on May 2, 2009. Schmidt will be recognized for both his professional achievements and philanthropic leadership....   more→

April 17, 2009
REFUELING FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES OUT OF REACH
Reprinted from NSCIA

There are more than 15 million drivers with disabilities in the US and by law they are entitled to have their gas pumped for them when more than one attendant is on duty. Visit www.DisabilityGas.com to view a sample video clip and to learn more about the issues drivers with disabilities face at gas stations across the US....   more→

April 7, 2009
REQUEST TO SIGN PETITION FROM THE READING RIGHTS COALITION
Reprinted from NSCIA

As part of its role in the Reading Rights Coalition, NSCIA is engaged in a campaign to obtain access for people with print disabilities to e-books available for Amazon’s new Kindle 2 e-book reader. The new reader, which Amazon is working to make fully accessible, has the ability to use text-to-speech to read these e-books aloud;...   more→

April 6, 2009
SPINAL CORD LEADERS COUNCIL CELEBRATES SIGNING OF REEVE PARALYSIS ACT; PLEDGES CONTINUED SUPPORT
Reprinted with permission of SCLC

 April 6, 2009 – The signing into law of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act this week is a major landmark for all Americans living with spinal cord injuries or disorders (SCI/D), and for the SCI/D community as a whole. After years in the making, the bill was passed by the U.S. Senate on January 15 and the House of Representatives on March 25 and signed into law by President Obama on March 30....   more→

April 2, 2009
A SAILING STORY
Reprinted with permission of author, Dave Lewandowski, Indycar.com

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Sea spray caught Sam Schmidt squarely on the face as the sailboat knifed through the 6-foot waves on shimmering Tampa Bay. Schmidt just laughed -- like a teenager on a rollercoaster, which approximated the experience for the quadriplegic Firestone Indy Lights team owner. Hey, legs aren't necessary to walk the waves....   more→

March 31, 2009
REEVE ACT PASSED TODAY
A message from Ida Cahill, CEO

The Christopher Reeve Paralysis Act (CRPA), which focuses on advancing research in paralysis and improving quality of life for those living with paralysis, was signed today by President Barack Obama and is a victory for groups like Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation. Sam Schmidt raced his way through a successful Indy League racing career....   more→

March 8, 2009
LIFE IN THE FAST LANE WITH SAM SCHMIDT
Press Release

During the very short off-season from his racing schedule, Sam Schmidt has been working on a project to rebuild a cool classic vehicle to suit his needs as a person in a wheelchair.  He was recently asked for a progress update.  Sam replied, “For background, I have been a ‘car guy’ all of my life....   more→

March 2, 2009
Update on Activities in the Stem Cell Field
by Kay Kohlman, SSPF Volunteer

Two important developments were reported in newspapers this week.  The headlines read as follows: 1. “President Obama to unleash stem cell research: The lifting of funding restrictions is expected to pump life into the stem cell research field.” 2. “Researchers report stem cell advance: Scientists have created the first personalized stem cells for patients that are free of the cancer-causing viruses and genes needed to make them....   more→

February 13, 2009
2009 GALA TO CELEBRATE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE SAM SCHMIDT PARALYSIS FOUNDATION
Note: Gala date changed to Wednesday, May 13, 2009

The 10th Annual Racing to Recovery Gala hosted by the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation will be held at the Ritz Charles in Carmel, Indiana on Wednesday May 13, 2009.  (Note date change from previous posting.) The annual gala celebrates the achievements of the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to funding scientific research, medical treatment, rehabilitation and technological advances to help those who have been afflicted with chronic and acute paralysis, as well as other neurological disorders such as ALS, Alzheimer’...   more→

January 31, 2009
FDA RULING BRINGS SAM SCHMIDT CLOSER TO TAKING A STEP
PRESS RELEASE from Sam Schmidt Motorsports

LAS VEGAS - Former IndyCar Series racer and current Firestone Indy Lights Series team owner Sam Schmidt dreams of the day that he can stand out of his wheelchair, hug his loved ones, shake hands with business colleagues, and above all, return to a "normal" life. With news last week that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved embryonic stem cell trials, Schmidt'...   more→

January 26, 2009
SAM SCHMIDT HOSTS MISS AMERICA CONTESTANTS IN LAS VEGAS
Promotional event held at indoor karting center

Sam Schmidt recently welcomed Miss America pageant contestants to his new indoor karting center, Pole Position Raceway, in Las Vegas.  Asked what it was like to spend the day with all those beautiful Miss America contestants, Sam offered a tongue-in-cheek reply, "We needed to have an ownership presence at the event, and since no one else was available, and as much of a struggle as it was, I eventually drug myself down there....   more→

January 23, 2009
Great News!
U.S. Government approves first stem cell study for spinal cord injury

California based biotech company Geron plans to start the world’s first study of a spinal cord injury treatment based on human embryonic stem cells.  The initial study is expected to begin this summer.  According to their website, www.geron.com, patients eligible for the Phase I trial must have documented evidence of functionally complete spinal cord injury with a neurological level of T3 to T10 spinal segments and agree to have GRNOPC1 injected into the lesion sites between seven and 14 days after injury....   more→

January 22, 2009
Request for Proposal

The Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation (SSPF) seeks to support research that will document the service activities and time associated with provision of wheeled mobility and seating equipment by rehabilitation suppliers.  Specifically, the application narrative should describe a research methodology that will achieve the following: 1....   more→

December 8, 2008
THE CHRISTOPHER & DANA REEVE FOUNDATION HONORS SAM SCHMIDT
This year's Visionary Leadership Award presented in Los Angeles

Sam Schmidt received the 2008 Visionary Leadership Award from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation during a celebration dinner in Los Angeles last week.  The Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation and the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation have been longtime partners and have worked together for several years to fund cutting edge research....   more→

December 2, 2008
SAM SCHMIDT TO BE AWARDED VISIONARY LEADERSHIP AWARD BY THE CHRISTOPHER & DANA REEVE FOUNDATION
Recognized for "Enthusiastic Dedication, Loyal Support, Inspirational Example"

LOS ANGELES (December 2, 2008) - The Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation is pleased to announce that Sam Schmidt will be the recipient of the 2008 Visionary Leadership Award from  The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation at the Making Magic Happen Gala in Los Angeles on December 2, 2008.  Sam Schmidt will be recognized for his outstanding professional and philanthropic leadership....   more→

November 13, 2008
GOLFING, RACING STARS TURN OUT FOR 3RD ANNUAL RACING TO RECOVERY GOLF TOURNAMENT
The Sam Schmidt Foundation Raises $175,000 to Benefit Paralysis Patients, Scientific Research

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jennifer Avrhami Mindspace 480-941-8497 ext 119 Jennifer@mindspace.net LAS VEGAS (November 10, 2008) – The Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation, which helps fund research and quality of life programs for those with spinal cord injuries, hosted its 3rd Annual Racing to Recovery Golf Tournament on Monday, November 3, 2008....   more→

November 3, 2008
3rd ANNUAL RACING TO RECOVERY GOLF OUTING & TOURNAMENT
Monday, November 3, 2008

For brochure, click here. Golf outing & tournament to be held at Reflection Bay, Las Vegas NV. Contact Ida Cahill, icahill@samschmidt.org or telephone 317-236-9999 for reservations. Reflection Bay Golf Course at Lake Las Vegas Resort was personally designed by Jack Nicklaus.  The 7,261 yard, par-72 award winning course makes its way through the desert while providing breathtaking views of Lake Las Vegas....   more→

October 28, 2008
Sam Schmidt empowers himself to help others with spinal cord injuries
by John L. Smith, Columnist, Las Vegas Review Journal

Reprinted from the Las Vegas Review Journal. Sam Schmidt's life has been defined by his passions, but he readily admits politics isn't one of them. For many years, Schmidt lived to race. He moved swiftly through the ranks and worked tirelessly to fulfill a childhood dream of starting in the Indy 500. When a January 2000 crash during a practice run left him a quadriplegic and on a respirator for six weeks, Schmidt'...   more→

October 18, 2008
STEM CELL EXPERTS MEET IN MADISON, WI
Reprinted from WKOWTV.com

More than 800 people met in Madison, WI last month for the World Stem Cell Summit.  One attendee is turning a personal tragedy into advocacy for medical research and treatment.  Indy Car racer Sam Schmidt's life changed forever when he suffered a crash 8 years ago. The accident left him paralyzed from his chest down....   more→