Craig Hospital’s 2021 PUSH Gala, held virtually on June 26, raised a record-setting $3.3 million for Craig programs, patients, and spinal cord and brain injury research. Nearly 500 people, companies, and foundations supported the event.

The 20th-anniversary Gala was recorded live in Craig’s PEAK Center. 9News anchor Kim Christiansen hosted the program that included features on Culture of Care programs, Research, and Patient Assistance recipient Meredith Berkowitz. The program also included appearances by several graduates, Craig CEO Dr. Jandel Allen-Davis, Foundation President Serena Bruzgo, and PUSH Chair and Presenting Sponsor Peter Kudla.

Throughout the event, two generous donors challenged viewers to give by matching donations.

Jeff and Sharon Richardson matched $500,000 in honor of their son Bryan, who was a patient at Craig. Jim and Bet Schuler matched $250,000 to provide a van for patient transport, therapeutic recreation equipment, and patient scholarships. During the evening’s broadcast, the Schulers also gave an additional $500,000. Peter Kudla donated the balance to bring the Schuler/Kudla gifts to $1 million.

The PUSH silent auction, featuring more than 140 items ranging from trips to jewelry to artwork created by Craig graduates, raised $159,136.

Craig inpatients and staff were able to join in the fun. Thanks to Patient and Staff Experience Sponsor Burg Simpson, all Craig patients received a PUSH Celebration box featuring Craig goodies. Evening staff, patients, and caregivers were also treated to a special PUSH dinner, and the program streamed on inpatient room TVs.

PUSH was founded in 2001 by Art Seiden, in honor of his wife Julie. She was paralyzed in 1996 following a horse jumping accident and spent 120 days at Craig.

Art approached then-CEO Denny O’Malley about starting a fundraiser for research. The first “Push for the Cure” dinner supported the Craig Center for Spinal Cord Injury Research and the Karolinska Institute in Sweden. Over the years, the event’s focus has expanded to meet other needs of the hospital and patients, while maintaining a focus on SCI and BI research.

Currently, proceeds from PUSH support patient assistance needs, cutting-edge equipment, and programs like our free Nurse Advice Line and our Therapeutic Recreation program.

Additionally, funds raised through PUSH are used to support the Craig Research Department in conducting high-quality research that further promotes optimal health, independence, and life quality for individuals with brain and spinal cord injuries.

The 2022 PUSH Gala is tentatively scheduled for April and will honor two Craig graduates: Austin Brotman with the Spirit of Craig award and world-record bike racer Lauren DeCrescenzo with the Impact Award.

We thank all of our generous sponsors and contributors*:

Presenting Sponsor | $50,000

The Peter A. Kudla Family

Major Contributors | $40,000-$50,000

Bet & Jim Schuler
The Bryan Richardson Family
The Galena Foundation
The Peter A. Kudla Family
The Makarechian Family
The Maurice Marciano Family Foundation
The Anna & John J. Sie Foundation
Dave & Gail Liniger

Auction Sponsor | $40,000

Beverage Sponsor | $40,000

The Staenberg Group

Story Sponsors | $25,000

The Anna Flori Family

MDC/Richmond American Foundation

Ellen Scott

Thiry-O'Leary Foundation

The Angelina & Gerlando Traina Family

Gold Sponsors | $15,000

Jandel Allen-Davis, MD & Anthony Davis

Steve & Melissa Elken/Elkco Properties

Empower Retirement

The Hilltop Foundation

Andrew Klein

Polsinelli PC

Al & Frances Troppmann

Silver Sponsors | $10,000

AGL Construction

Burg, Simpson, Eldredge, Hersh, & Jardine, P.C.

Lisa & Rich Cohn

Concrete Frame Associates

Eric & Kitty Feagler

Richard & Maureen Graff

Jim & Kim Jannicelli

Keating, Wagner, Polidori, & Free, P.C.

Keybank

Land Title Guarantee Company

Gary & Connie Levine

Lockton Companies, Llc

Timothy Mcentee

Cheri Meyn

Mile High Metal Works

PCL Construction Enterprises, Inc.

Platte River Plumbing

John & Lisa Robinson

Mark Schuler Family Foundation

Mary & George Sissel

Standard Interiors

Elaine Strauch

Tristar Drywall

U.S. Bank

Bronze Sponsors | $5,000+

ARB Midstream

Jeff Aronheim

Bioness Technologies

BKD CPAs & Advisors

Brownstein, Hyatt, Farber, Schreck, LLP

Builders Appliance Center

Jay and Bunnie Busch

Campbell Beard Roofing

CBS4

Centennial Concrete & Waterproofing

Centre for Neuro Skills

Chase Bank

CNS Medical Group (2)

Christine Classick

Coloplast

Colten Mortgage

COPIC Insurance Company

Davis Partnership, PC

Design Studio Architects, Inc.

Stanton Dodge

Dan & Alea Dye

EON Office

Essex Financial Group

Ewing Law, P.C.

Daniel Feiner

Margot Gilbert Frank

Freedom Fire Protection, Llc

Diane & Charlie Gallagher

Jerry Gart Family Foundation

The Goldberg Family

Gypsum Floors

Harris Kocher Smith

Riki & Ashley Hashimoto

Jenny & Mark Hopkins/Catalyst Foundation

Ibex Investors

IMA, Inc.

JE Dunn Construction

JHM Roddy Family Foundation

Johns Manville Company

Mike & Pam Jones

Ken & Sue Kelley

Gary & Kathy Kortz/In Loving Honor Of Alex & Dorrace Brewer

LDI Mechanical

Learning Services

Gerry & Robb Lewis-Jenkins

Lokal Homes

Charlie & Judy McNeil/Nexgen Resources

Medtronic

David & Laura Merage Foundation

MidFirst Bank

Eric & Mindy Miller

Brent & Julie Morse

National Jewish Health

Numotion

William & Verna Pauls

Russ Pitto

Plante Moran

PNC Bank

Michael Pollack

Teresa Porter

Quality Living, Inc.

Riveron

Chris & Shawn Schuler Family Foundation

Jeffrey & Suzanne Robinson

Scott Robinson

Saunders Construction, Inc.

Art Seiden

Jay & Pamela Shepard

Swedish Medical Center

Jack Taylor & Ann Marie Damian

TIAA

United Access

U.S. Engineering Construction

Vectra Bank Colorado/Todd & Sue Munson

Warner Pacific Insurance Services

Christopher & Karen Waters

Maribeth & Christopher Younger

Special Thanks | $2,500-$4,999

Arnold-Newman Foundation

Berkeley Homes

Bradbury Family Partnership, LLC

Denver Health

Edifice North, LLC

Ali & David Foster

Deborah Green & Family

James Klein

Monarch Casino Black Hawk

Mountain High Appliance, Inc.

Dana & Jay Polonsky

Steve Robbins

The Singleton Family Foundation

Spierer, Woodward, Corbalis, & Goldberg

Trio, Inc.

Vander Vegt & Associates

Gary Yourtz

Evan Zucker/Black Creek Capital

*List as of June 26, 2021