2021 Virtual PUSH Gala

Saturday, June 26, 2021

6:45 PM MDT | Pre-show
7:00-8:00 PM MDT | Program & Auction

PURCHASE YOUR SPONSORSHIP OR REGISTER FOR A TICKET

In a year like no other, we’re going to host PUSH like never before. This year, we hope you will join us for our 20th-anniversary celebration, virtually. We will be streaming to your device, live from Craig. As always, we will bring you inspiration, a great auction, and opportunities to get involved more deeply.

With this new format, Craig supporters from around the country can make a difference for patients!

Proceeds from PUSH fund Craig's unique culture of care programs like Therapeutic Recreation, Adaptive Technology, Music Therapy, Community Reintegration and education programs – which are not generally covered by insurance. PUSH funds also support research, including ongoing studies and clinical trials aimed at improving outcomes, reducing long-term complications and enhancing quality of life for those affected by spinal cord and traumatic brain injury.

The PUSH paddle auction raises funds for the Craig Foundation's Patient Assistance Fund, which helps patients with minimal income or inadequate insurance travel to and from Craig, purchase equipment like wheelchairs and shower chairs, remodel homes for accessibility, train caregivers, pay mortgages and rent, and meet other urgent needs.

Watch the PUSH Promo Videos

Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the PUSH Gala

Art Seiden was inspired to start the PUSH dinner by his late wife, Julie. She was paralyzed in 1996 following a horse jumping accident and spent 120 days at Craig.

In 2001, Art Seiden 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.

Since its inception, the PUSH Gala has raised more than $19 million for Craig Hospital. Join us for the 2021 anniversary celebration event and help “push” us to greater heights!

2021 PUSH Chair | Peter Kudla

Peter Kudla is recognized as a maverick, real estate entrepreneur and passionate philanthropist. He has been blessed in his life by passionate people and mentors that have helped him become who he is today both personally and professionally.

Being of Italian descent, embraced by Denver, his journey took him from a small town in New York to Boston, to Denver. In March 1984, he formed Beacon Hill Investments Inc. and then went on to form Metropolitan Homes, Inc. in 1994. Both specialize in multi-family lifestyle housing. Metropolitan Homes created one of Denver’s most prestigious transit-oriented developments, Vallagio at Inverness. Vallagio was awarded “Neighborhood of the Year” by the Denver Regional Council of Government.

In addition to real estate, Kudla has energized many philanthropic endeavors. He has taken the lead on many notable charitable efforts including “Tiny Miracles” for Children’s Hospital Colorado (2003-2009) and the “Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show” for the Global Down Syndrome Foundation (2017). He was recognized as “Humanitarian of the Year” by the Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver (2003).

As a 20-year friend of the Art Seiden Family, Peter enjoys his family, friends, and close business relationships. Developing creative space for people to live socially, environmentally and culturally, is the passion of Kudla and his people.

Sponsorships & Tickets

This year’s PUSH Gala will stream live. Click here to reserve your complimentary virtual ticket. A link to the Virtual PUSH Gala will be provided the week leading up to the event.

Want to make even more of a difference? Craig patients rely on the generosity of PUSH sponsors. With a PUSH sponsorship contribution, you will be supporting vital programs that help patients thrive as well as research that informs our work – and patient outcomes – daily. Sponsors will also receive celebration boxes filled with goodies to help immerse you in the “PUSH At Home” experience, as well as a host of recognition and other benefits.

To learn more about how you can support this event, review the sponsorship options, or contact Becky Plunkett, director of Philanthropy & Corporate Partnerships, at bplunkett@craighospital.org or 303-789-8166.