MA Kick-off Weekend: 130 people joined hearts and
hands in Massachusetts, August 27-29. See
Satellites for Photo Galleries of
the Satellite TeamWalks and Connections.
  Sixty-six people attended the Friday Arrival Dinner, providing a chance
to re-connect, meet new friends and sign-in for the weekend. Individuals
arrived from across the country as well as Canada.
Elmer Bartels, the Commissioner of the Massachusetts Commission on
Rehabilitation, right, was the honored guest speaker. He shared
his story of becoming a quadriplegic in 1960 due to a college hockey
game accident and his remarkable career in rehabilitation, public service and disability
advocacy. Photos
Saturday Research and Beyond Conference
 One
hundred people attended the national Research and Beyond Conference.
Keynote speakers were SPF Medical Advisor John K. Fink, MD, University of Michigan, at left, and
Douglas Marchuk, PhD, Duke University, who were the two recipients of the first
SPF Research Awards. The internationally esteemed experts
presented "HSP - Finding the Causes and Cures", "PLS - Finding the
Causes and Cures", and "PLS and HSP - Similarities and Differences".
Two experts from Harvard University presented "Promises of Stem Cell
Research and Regenerative Medicine" and Terry Wise, JD, public speaker
and author, presented "Waking Up: Climbing Through the Darkness".
Special "Time For Us" sessions for patients and significant others were
led by Craig Gentner and Bebe Leon, MSW. SPF President Mark Weber
provided the President's Message and special community awards were given
to Thurza Campbell and Dr. John Fink for their service to the community
and mission.
A Conference Video will be made available - stay tuned!
Conference Photos.
Attendee Photos.
Sunday TeamWalk For Our Cures - TeamWalk
launches with $150,000 raised to date!
  Some
130 people participated in the TeamWalk in Lexington. Family and
friends gathered under a tented area in front of the Lexington Visitor's
Center for a morning of camaraderie, entertainment by a jazz band,
presentation by a Visitor's Center historian and a pre-TeamWalk Stretch
and Get Set exercise.
The TeamWalk route consisted of two paths, allowing individuals to
participate in 1/2 mile up to a 2-mile route. Some
individuals remained under the tent to enjoy one another and the band
and cheer Walkers as they returned. Lunch and more entertainment
was enjoyed by all. The TeamWalk concluded with closing remarks
from SPF President Mark Weber and SPF Vice President and TeamWalk
Chairman Kathi Geisler.
Photo Gallery 1. Photo Gallery 2.
2004 TeamWalk Chairman: Kathi Geisler, SPF Vice President
Massachusetts Committee: Doug Brand, Thurza and Jim Campbell, Kathi and
Ed Geisler, Linda and Craig Gentner, Maureen Hall, Ellen Kinsman, Gerry
and Barbara Leary, Joel and Bobbie Seidman, Bob and Marie Swain
Ohio: Moira Franchetti and Tim Kolhoff and their
families
Arkansas: Sue Huskey and family
California: Linda (SPF Board Member) and Craig Gentner and Ken and Julie
Auer
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