Posted on June 11: Rick Hansen Wheels In Motion coming to McMaster Saturday

Hamilton will be one of more than 200 Canadian communities participating in Rick Hansen Wheels In Motion, on Saturday June 14 to make a positive difference in the quality of life of people with spinal cord injury. Hansen holds an honorary degree from McMaster.

In the spirit of the original Man In Motion World Tour, people of all ages backed by pledges and donations – are invited to wheel along a designated course on bicycles, wheelchairs, inline skates, scooters or by walking or jogging along. The Hamilton event, organized by McMaster's Fitness Centre, The Pulse and its staff, will be held at McMaster Campus all day June 14.

With the support of thousands of volunteers and presenting partner Scotiabank, Rick Hansen is focusing on accelerating improvements to the quality of life of people with spinal cord injury. Fifty per cent of net proceeds will be used to support quality of life initiatives in the community. The other 50 per cent will support research, including finding a cure.

“We invite people to participate by volunteering to join the organizing team or to participate at the event”, said organizers Jackie Boutette and Siobhan Mark. “We are very excited about supporting Canada's Man In Motion, Rick Hansen, and helping people with spinal cord injury. Rick has inspired so many people and we are proud that the people of Hamilton and McMaster have generously come forward to be a part of this national initiative.”

Hansen has always dreamed big. As the only person to have circled the world in a wheelchair, he wheeled 40,000 kilometers on his Man In Motion World Tour (1985-87) through 34 countries, raising $24 million for spinal cord injury. Now, as founder of the Rick Hansen Man In Motion Foundation and CEO of the Rick Hansen Institute, he hopes his new dream will touch all Canadians.

“We are at an exciting threshold,” Hansen says. “We face huge challenges to improve quality of life, but the benefits are immeasurable . . . not only for individuals, but for society as a whole. We are asking everyone to join us, participate in our signature event and get on wheels every year until we ultimately find a cure. Together we can make this dream a reality.”

For local event information or to volunteer, call Tara Elston at McMaster or e-mail elstont@mcmaster.ca. For information on the Rick Hansen Man In Motion Foundation, visit www.rickhansen.com

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Hamilton will be one of more than 200 Canadian communities participating in Rick Hansen Wheels In Motion, on Saturday June 14 to make a positive difference in the quality of life of people with spinal cord injury. Hansen holds an honorary degree from McMaster.<p><br />
<br />
In the spirit of the original Man In Motion World Tour, people of all ages  backed by pledges and donations - are invited to wheel along a designated course on bicycles, wheelchairs, inline skates, scooters or by walking or jogging along. The Hamilton event, organized by McMaster&#039;s Fitness Centre, The Pulse and its staff, will be held at McMaster Campus all day June 14.<p><br />
<br />
With the support of thousands of volunteers and presenting partner Scotiabank, Rick Hansen is focusing on accelerating improvements to the quality of life of people with spinal cord injury. Fifty per cent of net proceeds will be used to support quality of life initiatives in the community. The other 50 per cent will support research, including finding a cure. <p><br />
<br />
"We invite people to participate by volunteering to join the organizing team or to participate at the event", said organizers Jackie Boutette and Siobhan Mark. "We are very excited about supporting Canada&#039;s Man In Motion, Rick Hansen, and helping people with spinal cord injury. Rick has inspired so many people and we are proud that the people of Hamilton and McMaster have generously come forward to be a part of this national initiative."<p><br />
<br />
Hansen has always dreamed big.  As the only person to have circled the world in a wheelchair, he wheeled 40,000 kilometers on his Man In Motion World Tour (1985-87) through 34 countries, raising $24 million for spinal cord injury. Now, as founder of the Rick Hansen Man In Motion Foundation and CEO of the Rick Hansen Institute, he hopes his new dream will touch all Canadians. <p><br />
<br />
"We are at an exciting threshold," Hansen says.  "We face huge challenges to improve quality of life, but the benefits are immeasurable . . . not only for individuals, but for society as a whole.  We are asking everyone to join us, participate in our signature event and get on wheels every year until we ultimately find a cure. Together we can make this dream a reality."<p><br />
<br />
For local event information or to volunteer, call Tara Elston at McMaster or e-mail <a href="mailto:elstont@mcmaster.ca">elstont@mcmaster.ca</a>. For information on the Rick Hansen Man In Motion Foundation, visit <a href="http://www.rickhansen.com">www.rickhansen.com</a>

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