[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/charityball06.jpg” caption=”Audrey Hicks, Director of the MacWheelers exercise program, and Matt Miller (kinesiology grad/MacWheelers fundraising coordinator) accept a cheque for $20,000 from Kyra Machen, chair of the 2006 MSU charity ball committee.”]On June 11 participants of the Rick Hansen Wheels in Motion fundraiser will walk, run and wheel to raise funds and awareness for people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) and related disabilities. People of all ages will participate with the goal of raising money to improve the lifestyles of these men, women and children. These participants include a team of MacWheelers, who were recipients of a portion of the funds raised last year.

Rick Hansen's journey to raise funds and awareness about people with spinal cord injuries began 20 years ago with his Man in Motion World Tour. At the age of 27, Hansen wheeled through 34 countries on four continents accompanied by his team, showcasing the potential of people with disabilities.

The funds from Wheels in Motion go toward helping improve the quality of life of people with SCI and to the development of a spinal cord registry. The registry is an important tool that tracks information about treatments from point of injury onward. The resource will ultimately provide better outcomes for people today and lead to a cure for the future.

The MacWheelers, a community service program launched at McMaster in 2003 by Audrey Hicks, professor of kinesiology. It operates in the same spirit as the goals of the Rick Hansens Wheels in Motion, and plays an important role in the community by helping rehabilitate people with spinal cord injuries.

MacWheelers evolved from a long-term exercise study conducted by researchers in the Department of Kinesiology, in which the physiological and psychological benefits of regular exercise training in people with SCI was being investigated. When Hicks saw the enthusiasm and interest of the participants in the study she was motivated to create MacWheelers.

Last year, the MacWheelers benefited from a generous donation of $12,500 from the Rick Hansen Wheels in Motion event, and the money was used to hire new staff and to purchase additional exercise equipment.

The cost of running the MacWheelers program is completely funded by numerous fundraising efforts and by membership fees. During the year MacWheelers plan various fundraising events such as bake sales and coffee houses.

“These events are absolutely essential to our survival,” Hicks says about the various fundraising efforts held each year. “The minimal membership fees we charge do not cover the costs of the program.”

Recently, MacWheelers received extra fundraising help from the MSU Charity Ball Committee, who presented a cheque worth $20,000 to Hicks and to Mathew Miller, kinesiology student and fundraising coordinator of MacWheelers.

“We are absolutely thrilled, with this generous donation and the fact that the MSU selected a charity located within the McMaster community makes the donation more meaningful,” said Hicks.

MacWheelers is currently seeking donations for this year's Wheels in Motion event, and potential donors are welcome to sponsor the MacWheelers team through the Rick Hansen Wheels in Motion website.

For more information on volunteering and donating please visit www.mcmaster.ca/kinesiology/community_programs.cfm.