“The future looks bright and I feel optimistic about our research resulting in a treatment for spinal cord injury.”
We are thrilled to share the Foundations 2023-2024 Annual report.
It is an extraordinary feeling to reflect on yet another record breaking fundraising year. Together we have raised millions for research, and we are now ready to go to human clinical trial in the pursuit of a treatment.
Many things have fallen into place to make this happen and I am grateful to everyone for their support, guidance and generosity over the years to make this moment possible.
With your support and generosity, we have raised an extraordinary $8.5m to fund this world-first human clinical trial and we couldn’t have done it without our generous community, partners and philanthropists. We can also share with you, that Prof James St John and his team were awarded a Medical Research Future Fund 2023 Stem Cell Therapies Grant of $6.8M for the human clinical trial. With this funding award, the trial will now be open for thirty participants.
It has been an outstanding year of achievement, one for the record books. Highlights include;
$3,262,855 in surplus (subject to audit), before investment in research, raised throughout the year.
It is with enormous gratitude that we thank Nicola and Andrew Forrest who pledged $1million in matching funds which supported and elevated our fundraising throughout this financial year.
An extraordinary event hosted and organised by the Curr family, City and Country Raising Buck$, which saw over 600 generous guests come together, raising over $690,000. This included all donations being matched by Nicola and Andrew Forrest and to add to this, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk MP announced a $2 million grant from Queensland Health to go towards the trial as part of the event.
This year marked 30 years since my injury, and it has been difficult every day since. At the time of my injury, I was told nothing could be done. Put simply it was absolutely devastating for me, my family and friends. Despite the challenges, I decided many years ago to believe everything is possible.
It has taken some time, perseverance and a lot of support from many incredible people to fund this world-first human clinical trial. The future looks bright, and I am optimistic about the prospect of being able to repair the spinal cord.
We are about to make history because of you and the support of our generous fundraising community, partners and the remarkable Spinal Injury Project Researchers.
‘Everything is Possible!’
Perry Cross AM
Founder & Executive President
