October 22, 2020

First Fully-Virtual Pedal 4 Possible raises $238,000+ for Craig Hospital

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Pedal 4 Possible (P4P), Craig’s charity cycling event went fully “virtual” and expanded to a full week of activity. More than 350 participants from 27 states cycled, ran, rolled, walked, swam, skated, hiked, sewed, lifted weights, and more. From California to Florida to Massachusetts, participants united to work hard and have fun—all while making recovery possible for Craig patients.

Through participant fundraising and sponsorships, the event raised more than $238,000 for Craig Culture of Care programs like Therapeutic Recreation, Community Reintegration, and Assistive Technology. These donor-funded programs are vital to patients’ holistic rehabilitation and help them rebuild a life filled with possibilities.

A 2016 Craig graduate, Jake Javier, rolled a half marathon in his wheelchair and raised more than $36,500 to claim the top individual fundraiser award. “Ever since I went [to Craig], I’ve wanted to give back,” he told a reporter with the Mustang News. “It’s very humbling and inspiring to see the number of people who have donated.”

Participants followed along with themed days, sharing photos and videos of their activities online and tracking their activities on the Pedal 4 Possible club on Strava.

Craig inpatients were able to get in on P4P the fun as well. Thanks to the generosity of Jennifer and Mark Hopkins from the Catalyst Foundation, inpatients had the opportunity to register for Pedal 4 Possible. With the help of their therapists, patients tracked their therapy activities, from FES bike time, to rugby, to Nerf archery, to using the machines in the Upper Extremity Room. Therapeutic Recreation specialists converted their time and activities to a mileage equivalent. Collectively, inpatients completed an astonishing 465 miles.

“Boy, what a week. I managed to reach my goal of riding, running, or recreating 100 miles as part of team #SouthWestEndurance,” shared participant Bendon Hofsetz in the Pedal 4 Possible Facebook group. “I met several people who have been directly impacted by the valuable programs and services provided by Craig which made all the hard work that much more meaningful to me.”

What a week! We cycled, ran, rolled, walked, swam, skated, hiked, sewed, lifted weights, and more. From California to Florida to Massachusetts, we united to work hard and have…