Wings for LIFE Magazine - Edition No. 12 - USA by Wings for Life

EDITION Nº 12

www.wingsforlife.com

SPINAL CORD RESEARCH FOUNDATION

Hannes Kinigadner Why his story mirrors that of Wings for Life.

Research News Exciting approaches and methods that inspire hope.

Make Your Body Smile immun POWER

WITH MAGNESIUM + VITAMIN D

*Magnesium contributes to a reduction of tiredness and fatigue and Vitamin D contributes to the normal function of the immune system. We indicate the importance of a varied and balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.

Foreword

Dear friends and supporters, Imprint Wings for Life International Spinal Cord Research Foundation Fürstenallee 4, 5020 Salzburg, Austria Phone: +43-662-6582-4244 Email: office@wingsforlife.com Company Registration: FN 251592p Legal Form: Private non-profit foundation Register Court: Landesgericht Salzburg (Jurisdiction) Chief Executive Officer: Anita Gerhardter Wings for Life United Kingdom: Seven Dials Warehouse 42-56 Earlham Street London WC2H 9LA Great Britain UK Registered Charity No: 1138804 Wings for Life USA: Spinal Cord Research Foundation Inc., 1630 Stewart Street, Santa Monica, CA 90404, 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation Editors: Christina Herbst, Stefanie Schwarz Contributors: Markus Böttinger, Vieri Failli, Lara Goritschnig, Marco Gröbner, Sam Maddox, Verena May, Brandon Peters, Beatrice Sandner CEOs Red Bull Media House Publishing: Dietmar Otti, Christopher Reindl, Marcus Weber Head of Red Bull Brand Studios: Susanne Degn-Pfleger Art Director: Simone Fischer Photo Editors: Marion Batty, Eva Kerschbaum Design: Andreea Gschwandtner Project management: Jennifer Silberschneider Lithography: Clemens Ragotzky Translation: Manfred Thurner Producer: Sabine Wessig Acknowledgment: We would like to express our gratitude to Red Bull Media House for producing this magazine free of charge.

This issue of our magazine is all about demonstrating why we remain full of hope. We are receiving an ever-increasing number of exciting research approaches from all over the world (page 58). We sat down with Professor Armin Curt, our clinical director, to understand why it is still taking so long to find a cure for spinal cord injuries from page 28 onwards. An exciting new clinical trial in Chicago, Illinois was added to our portfolio this year. Learn about the history of Dr. Jerry Silver and his research around a promising new drug called NVG-291 on page 22. Some scientists engage in research for deeply personal reasons. One of them is Atena Zahedi, whose brother suffered a spinal cord injury when he was run over by a truck as a child. She is determined to help him by finding a cure by means of stem cells (page 64). Hannes Kinigadner is also forced to navigate life with a spinal cord injury and has done so bravely for the last 20 years. He is the reason why Wings for Life exists. Flip to page 16 to read about his and our story. The Wings for Life World Run has been bringing smiles to our faces for a decade now. One of the most beautiful moments occurred in Vienna this year. Find out more on page 38. All this is made possible by you! Thank you for your donations from the bottom of our hearts. Enjoy your read, Your Wings for Life Team

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16 “I will rise from this wheelchair one day!” Hannes Kinigadner

Content 16 The Day Everything Changed

Hannes Kinigadner is the reason why Wings for Life exists

26 What If …

... there was a cure tomorrow? Six people with spinal cord injuries share their hopes and dreams

Research 50 “IT Felt Like a

Thousand Pinpricks”

Michaela Hauser s uffered a spinal cord injury during a skiing day with colleagues

70 Column

To simply stand up and walk away

22 A New Clinical Trial

About Dr. Jerry Silver and his research around a promising new drug

28 “Professor, Why Have We Not Found a Cure Yet?”

We sat down with Armin Curt, the clinical director at Wings for Life

34 Researchers

Among Themselves

The Scientific Meeting in Salzburg, Austria, attracted 120 scientists from around the world 4

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Photos: Helge Kirchberger, Tomislav Moze, Stefanie Korherr, Akemi Hoshi

People

38 Fundraising 48 Talents in Science

A conversation with Joanna Stanicka from biotech start-up Axonis

58 Research News

Seven promising approaches in the search for a cure

64 Conducting Research

6 Snapshots

Exceptional initiatives for a worthy cause

STANDARDS

38 The Tenth Anniversary

3 Foreword, Imprint 37 Funded Projects

This run moves the whole world

56 Did You Know …

of the Wings for Life World Run

How your donation contributes to research

… that every spinal cord injury is unique?

for Her Brother

Her brother’s severe injury inspires Atena to find a cure Cover: Helge Kirchberger

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Fundraising

Photo: Lisa-Marie Reiter/AW Photography

Playing for a Good Cause They did it again. Our friends from the travel agency The Travel Birds hosted the magnificent Birdies & Friends Soccer Cup for the second year running. 16 teams battled it out on the pitch, encouraged by their fans with self-made signs and dance performances. In the end, the Volcano Bulls managed to retain the title. The “Birdies” not only raised a staggering 120,000 euros for Wings for Life, but they also treated us all to a memorable day.

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Fundraising

Photo: Ian Witlen

A “Shoey” for Spinal Cord Research Exclusive chats with Formula 1 stars and a fundraising total of 250,000 US dollars: The Driving Force charity dinner made its US debut at the Miami Grand Prix and ended on a genuine high note. The live auction culminated in a so-called “shoey”. Christian Horner and Aaron Baker drank from star driver Daniel Ricciardo’s shoes, raising an additional 15,000 US dollars for spinal cord research!

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Photo: World’s Toughest Row

Fundraising

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Across the Pacific in 43 Days An unforgettable moment for an inspiring duo: Catharina Streit and Wolfgang Fankhauser took on the Pacific Challenge and rowed across the ocean in 43 days – in two-hour shifts and without breaks. They started in California, arriving in Hawaii 2,800 miles later and 33 pounds lighter. Safe ashore, the two adventurers auctioned off their rowing boat named “Frida” and raised a magnificent 33,000 euros for Wings for Life.

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Fundraising

Photo: WanderingGoose, MaxMontgom

A Successful Round of Culinary Delights Supporters, partners and friends gathered at London Golf Club for the second Gourmet Golf event. A culinary treat awaited the guests at each of the 18 holes. In addition, the event featured a cricket competition, an exciting BMX show by Matthias Dandois, and the unique opportunity to tee off from Red Bull Bar Deck 87. By the end of the day we had raised 56,000 pounds for spinal cord research.

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Photo: Limex Images/Jörg Mitter

Fundraising

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A Record-Breaking Evening at the Palais Our annual charity dinner, the renowned „Gipfeltreffen“, was held in Vienna this year. Alongside our guests, we celebrated, laughed, and danced in the amazing splendour of Palais Rasumofsky. It all came to a head towards the end of the evening, when our guests started competing for the exhibits, culminating in an incredible 830,000 euros in donations.

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Spinal Cord Injur y

Photo: Helge Kirchberger

Hannes Kinigadner looks to the future with confidence thanks to the research progress made by Wings for Life.

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I Will Rise from This Wheelchair One Day! Hannes Kinigadner suffered a high-level spinal cord injury in an accident that occurred exactly 20 years ago. He is the reason that Wings for Life exists. This is his – and our – story.

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The Day Everything Changed

The story takes us back to the 26th of July 2003. Hannes was 19 years old when he lined up at a charity motocross race in Austria. “I distinctly remember it being a beautiful summer day. I was feeling great.” A few minutes later, Hannes found himself fighting his way to the front of the pack. Suddenly, in a fast left turn, he was surprised by a fallen competitor, unable to avoid the bike on the ground. He was catapulted over the handlebars, hit the ground headfirst, and came to rest on his stomach – completely motionless. The race was stopped immediately. “I can still remember every second,” Hannes recalls. “I remember lying there, with everyone else rushing around

me. I was concerned and asked someone to remove my shoes. When someone told me that they had already been removed, I felt really frightened. I didn’t feel a thing …” Hannes was seriously injured. He suffered two cardiac arrests, a cerebellar infarction, and almost suffocated while in intensive care. He was fighting to survive, flooded with panic every time he briefly came to. When he was finally in a stable condition after weeks of constant trepidation, he was heaved into

a wheelchair for the first time. “I have never forgotten that day,” he says in a whisper. “Two nurses were called in to assist. They kept on telling me how well I’m doing. I just couldn’t grasp what was going on. And then I suddenly realized that I was actually paralyzed from the fifth cervical vertebra down. That was, without doubt, the darkest day of my life. My world collapsed in on itself that day.” Is There a Cure?

Hannes’ father, former motocross world champion Heinz

“This accident changed everything. I had no more privacy, flexibility, and freedom.” Hannes Kinigadner Hannes Kinigadner in the hospital. The 19-year-old was fighting to survive. 18

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Photos: Helge Kirchberger, private

am paralyzed from my shoulders down. I can no longer feel anything below them, including my legs and hands. I can’t even move a single finger,” says Hannes Kinigadner, glancing down at himself.

Despite his accident, Hannes has not lost his passion for motorsport nor has he ever lost his optimism.

Just a few months before the accident (from left): Isabell, Hannes, Waltraud, and Heinz Kinigadner.

Kinigadner, later recalled: “Back then, Hannes asked me whether I had ever come across a person in a wheelchair incapable of even moving their fingers. A spinal cord injury at a level that high affects everything. My own son was lying there, asking me to swat a fly off his face …” Hannes was initially completely overwhelmed and needed constant assistance. He couldn’t eat, take a shower, or go to the toilet alone anymore. He couldn’t turn over in his bed or open a simple water bottle. “This accident changed everything. I had no more privacy, flexibility, and freedom.”

His loving family helped Hannes come to terms with his new life, but Heinz Kinigadner wanted more. He and a friend, no other than Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz, decided to invite spinal cord research specialists to Salzburg in an effort to determine the status quo and find out if there was a cure that could be administered to his son as soon as possible. However, the facts were devastating to hear. “My spinal cord injury simply wasn’t curable,” says Hannes. “The doctors and researchers explained that injured nerve cells within the spinal cord

are capable of regeneration, but they also made clear that research in this particular field was woefully underfunded.” Hannes finally returned home after seven months in hospitals and rehab facilities. Heinz Kinigadner retired from motorsport to fully dedicate himself to the care of his son – a difficult situation for everyone involved. Hannes is honest: “Naturally, you are grateful that someone is willing to look after you, but it is also incredibly tough to allow such intimate interactions at this age.” The Power of Wings for Life

Meanwhile, Heinz Kinigadner and Dietrich Mateschitz did everything in their power to persuade experts to help them launch the foundation now known as Wings for Life. The aim is to advance spinal cord research and find a cure for Hannes – and all other WINGS FOR LIFE

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“I can become impatient at times, of course. Yet I also know that research is heading into a very promising direction right now.” Hannes Kinigadner

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The Kinigadners are part of every Wings for Life World Run, here with ex-ski racer Stephan Eberharter in Zillertal.

Finally Regaining Freedom

Like his father Heinz Kinigadner, Hannes remains highly enthusiastic about motorsport. The duo enjoys traveling to events together. Hannes exercises regularly and works in the family business. “However, you can’t really compare my everyday life with that of a healthy person,” he says. “It starts with the morning routine. I can’t get up when I feel like it, as I need to wait until someone comes and assists me. I require assistance in the bathroom, as I can’t wash or get dressed alone. The whole procedure takes approximately two hours.” He has devel-

oped a routine of sorts. “It goes on all day. I always need someone close to me.” Even twenty years down the line, Hannes’ story has lost none of its gravity – yet also none of its fortitude and none of its unwavering hope. “I am convinced that I will rise from this wheelchair one day,” he says defiantly.

Wings for Life

strives to make history. 100% of all donations go to spinal cord research to help find a cure for spinal cord injuries. Thank you for helping us do so.

Photos: Christian Forcher for Wings for Life World Run, Helge Kirchberger

spinal cord injury patients. “I was – and still am – immensely grateful for this move. It motivates me and gives me hope,” Hannes says. Anita Gerhardter assumed management of the foundation in 2008 and immediately started professionalising the setup. She is an expert at bringing the right people together and creating interfaces between research and marketing. Her efforts culminated in the first Wings for Life World Run in May 2014. Today, Wings for Life enjoys global renown, unites the brightest minds in science, and funds promising projects with contributions running into the millions. Hannes is fully aware of the fact that research requires patience and perseverance. “I can become impatient at times, of course. Yet I also know that research is heading into a very promising direction right now.”

“When the time comes, I will be ready to return to a normal life and rejoice at regaining my independence. I will celebrate no longer needing a rhythm and being more flexible – finally free again.” Hannes Kinigadner

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Science

A New Clinical Trial Decades of research will be tested for both chronic and subacute patients.

NervGen, is enrolling 40 patients, half subacute, half chronic, at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Wings for Life granted NervGen $3.2 million to initiate the trial. This pivotal moment has been decades in the making; the story of NVG-291 is long, twisty and as complicated as neurobiology can get. It reflects the perseverance and faith of many scientists, but one in particular deserves credit for nurturing this study.

Professor of Neurosciences Jerry Silver, Ph.D. then and now. 22

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Meet Jerry Silver

Jerry Silver, Ph.D., is a Professor of Neurosciences at the Case Western Reserve University School of Med icine. People who follow spinal cord injury research know him on a first name basis. Silver co-invented an injectable drug candidate that worked well enough restoring function in para lyzed rats to attract attention from investors, and thus the formation of NervGen. Jumping from animal studies to human trials requires determination and research athleticism, and no shortage of faith. “The recovery that we’ve seen in laboratory rats is nothing short of spectacular, especially with high doses. Our rats have gone from being completely par alyzed to walking again without any apparent impairment.” Silver notes that his work has been rep licated by independent research ers in Europe using doses 50 times higher than he used, without side effects.

Photos: Tyler Wick, Courtesy of Case Western Archives

ings for Life, through its Accelerated Trans lational Program, is sponsoring a new human clinical trial to test a highly promising drug candidate called NVG-291, thanks to the support of our donors. Researchers want to see if the drug helps in acute spinal cord inju ries but also whether it can promote functional recovery in people with chronic injuries. The trial, from a Vancouver start-up called

Science

Silver’s group recently published results showing fine digit and upper extremity recovery in chronic SCI animals treated with NVG-291. A beneficial effect has also been shown in models of multiple sclerosis, stroke, and peripheral nerve injury. The Case for Chase

Forty-plus years ago, Silver began studying ways to modify scarring at the injury site. There are molecules in the injured cord that are covered with sugars, so called chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG). And like things sugary, they are sticky – like flypaper, says Silver. They prevent axons from regenerating and reconnecting. In previous studies, Silver and others used an enzyme called chondroit inase (nick named Chase) to digest the scar structures to open routes for nerves to grow through. Chase is effective; animals show recovery. But it’s not

a stable drug at room temperatures and it has to be continuously delivered. Over the years Wings for Life has funded several grants to optimize Chase. Philippa M. Warren, a postdoc in Silver’s lab, was funded from 2014 to 2016 to study respiratory recovery after cervical injuries. Silver got a 2017 Wings for Life grant to study a combination of Chase and what is now the NervGen drug candidate being tested. Jessica Kwok, Ph.D., from the University of Leeds got two Wings for Life grants from 2012 to 2017 to discover novel approaches to modify scar inhibition. (Both

“I searched the world for a technology that I believed would truly help people with a spinal cord injury.” Harold Punnett Harold Punnett and his daughter-in-law, Codi Darnell. 24

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Warren and Kwok have collaborated with Silver and remain involved in his current studies.) Elizabeth Bradbury, Ph.D., King’s College London, and Dr. Joost Verhaagen, Ph.D., from the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, were funded by Wings for Life in 2020 to develop a more easily deliverable form of Chase using gene therapy. This method releases the enzyme over long periods of time into spinal cord tissue. Bradbury has reported skilled motor recovery in a “super chronic” injury model of severe cervical SCI. She is hoping to test this in patients as well.

Monica Perez, Ph.D. from the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago.

Where the Start-Up Started

Photos: Ian Darnell, Private

The NervGen story begins with Silver’s lab work, but it was a Vancouver dentist and an early-stage angel investor, Harold Punnett, who got things moving to start the company. Punnett’s daughter-inlaw, Codi Darnell, had been spinal cord injured in 2016. Naturally, he wondered about treatments. There were none. “I searched the world for a technology that I believed would truly help people with SCI. I was the lead skeptic as I read paper after paper. Finally, I came across a 2015 paper from Jerry Silver describing a peptide that appeared to promote spinal cord recovery. His peptide was completely different from anything I had encountered to date.” A Molecular Switch

What does NVG-291 do?

Silver, with a team from Harvard including John G. Flanagan, Dr. Kai Liu (both recipients of Wings for Life grants) and Zhigang He (member of Wings for Life’s Scientific Advisory Board), discovered a protein that can neutralize the sticky inhibition at the injury site. This led Silver’s lab to take a different approach to scar management: Instead of getting rid of the inhibitory scar, they devised a new peptide molecule to switch off the stickiness protein, thus helping spinal cord axons get unstuck. The molecule has been licensed by NervGen from Case Western and renamed NVG-291.

When the nervous system first forms, CSPGs act as guardrails to make sure newly growing nerve fibers make the correct connections. These molecules are still present in the adult, however their concentration dramatically increases after spinal cord injury due to a massive inflammatory immune response. The result is a scar-like formation that walls off nerve growth. Silver’s preclinical studies have shown that NVG-291 tamps down the inf lammatory environment, allowing for myelin (nerve coating) regeneration, thus resulting in significant motor function recovery.

Next steps

Given the limited number of spinal cord injury clinical trials and the tremendous anticipation for this trial within the SCI community, recruitment for the chronic cohort (1-10 years post injury) is anticipated to happen relatively quickly with results expected by mid2024. Results from the subacute cohort (10-49 days post-injury) are expected in late 2024 or early 2025. The clinical trial is taking place at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago, coordinated by Monica A. Perez, PT, Ph.D., an internationally recognized leader in SCI research. WINGS FOR LIFE

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What If ... “If I could finally regain movement in my legs, I would never use a lift or escalator again. Regardless of the situation, I would walk every single step.”

“Two of the things I miss the most are being with my friends like I used to and driving my car. It’s hard not to get my hopes up on the possibility of a cure, but I am optimistic.”

Tina Pesendorfer suffers from a complete spinal cord injury at the level of the 9th thoracic vertebrae following a fall. Julian Stanford is paralyzed from the neck down after swerving to avoid a car that veered into his lane. 26

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Photos: Taylor Harford, Jörg Baumgarten/Kuckuck Artwork, James Robinson, Melanie Manson @Voelker Studioprivate, Tana Goodwin, private

… there was a cure for spinal cord injuries tomorrow? Some affected people agreed to share their highly personal hopes and dreams with us.

“I still struggle the most with the fact that I can’t play guitar like I used to. It still breaks my heart, even after 13 years.” Gabor Schneider has a spinal cord injury at the level of the 4th/5th cervical vertebrae following a dive into the water.

“I want to be able to walk my baby girl, who is now 27 and engaged, down the aisle and to make her day special, and for her to be as proud of me as I am of her.” Darren Edwards is completely paralyzed from the 6th thoracic vertebra after a mountaineering accident.

“I dream that, one day, I will walk myself back up to the summit of the first mountain I climbed – the mountain which gave me my love for adventure.”

Vanessa Osman is tetraplegic from the 5th/6th cervical vertebrae after a car accident.

“Most days the loss of independence far outweighs the loss of mobility. If I had my mobility back, the first thing I would do is take a simple walk on the beach.”

Philip White is tetraplegic from the level of the 5th cervical vertebra after falling off a stepladder. WINGS FOR LIFE

Science

Professor, Why Have We Not Found a Cure Yet?

Photo: Stefanie Korherr

Armin Curt is Wings for Life’s Clinical Director and leads the Spinal Cord Injury Center at Balgrist University Hospital in Zurich, Switzerland. We sat down with an insider capable of providing answers to major research questions.

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Armin Curt is pinning his hopes on antibody therapy: it is designed to stimulate the resprouting of injured nerves.

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Armin Curt appreciates the daily contact with his patients: “Then I know what I’m researching for and for whom.”

Photos: Stefanie Korherr

Armin Curt during rehabilitation training with a spinal cord injured patient.

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Let’s get straight to the point, professor. Why is it taking so long to find a cure for spinal cord injuries? A spinal cord injury, stroke, or brain trauma all share the same dilemma. A simple solution for injuries to the central nervous system does not exist, because it is extremely complex. Understanding its entirety requires a very long time, and it takes equally long for fundamental change to occur. Take multiple sclerosis, for example. This disease has been around for more than 100 years, yet only now are we witnessing first significant steps forward. Administering new immunological drugs is a gamechanger. This is a stroke of luck, a miracle – and gives me hope for spinal cord research. What do you think is the problem? In the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s, the world began to realize that spinal cord injury patients can be rehabilitated by reintegrating them into everyday life, including work. Many people perceived that as sufficient. Treatment tends to be more adventurous when a malignant disease has fatal consequences. Our phones were ringing off the hook when we started working with stem cells in Zurich years ago. People warned us not to exacerbate the condition of spinal cord injury patients. Needless to say, such a cautious approach slows down progress.

In other words, many researchers remain in basic research. Do they lack staying power? Basic research has progressed so far in the meantime. What I learned as a student is no longer valid. Knowledge in this field has literally exploded. Many approaches have been tested and discarded, forcing some researchers to start all over again. Others discovered a new angle and con-

“What I learned as a student is no longer valid. Knowledge in this field has literally exploded.” Armin Curt

tinue their research. This process requires excellent researchers driven by conviction and longterm commitment. You and your team are clearly committed, especially to the NISCI study. How did it go? The groundwork began as early as 2001 with the creation of the EMSCI network (European

Multicenter Study about Spinal Cord Injury). It involved joining 22 centers across Europe to collect data on people affected by the condition. The idea was to better understand the recovery of patients and compare outcomes. The effort was gigantic, but excellent cooperation between participating centers allowed us to succeed. The explicit objective of our NISCI* study was to improve hand and arm function in highlevel spinal cord injury patients by means of medication. For this purpose, we spent years gathering data and conducting tests in a blinded manner. What was the result? The primary goal was not achieved in all patients, but in many. We observed a very positive trend – and collected an enormous amount of data. For example, we observed that certain groups of patients responded much better than others. This helps us design further studies. Now the question is how we can combine our findings with approaches pioneered by other researchers. We are open to all possibilities and we’re already planning the next steps. We may not find a cure right away, but there will be a breakthrough by stimulating the nervous system to recover more effectively. What role does Wings for Life play in this process? The foundation now plays a highly significant role. Wings for Life pursues a responsible selection WINGS FOR LIFE

Science

The researcher needs perseverance in his field of research, but there is justified hope and a clear goal.

We share that hope … What Wings for Life does is absolutely authentic. The story of Hannes Kinigadner (cf. page 16) is the foundation of it all. This is meaningful work with a clear purpose. You enjoy a certain level of seniority in the field. What is your advice to junior researchers? If you, like me, “grew up” in a clinical setting and encounter patients 32

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every day, then you know why and for whom you are researching. We try to transmit this feeling to our junior researchers. They are required to care for their patients on a daily basis, to establish an emotional connection with them. They conduct research for them. We strive to imbue motivation with a sense of purpose. I believe this link between research and practice is absent in many institutions. That is certainly a challenge for the next generation.

Are you optimistic about finding a cure for spinal cord injuries, or does the idea cause you a headache? It requires a huge amount of staying power. Yet the effort is worth it, and there is justified hope that something can be found.

About the NISCI study

*NISCI (Nogo-A Inhibition in Acute Spinal Cord Injury) is a completed European study conducted in specialized centers dedicated to spinal cord injury. It evaluated antibody treatment in 126 patients suffering from acute accidental high-level spinal cord injuries. The study aimed to improve the bodily functions and quality of life of participants through antibody therapy.

Prof. Dr. Armin Curt (on the right) worked on the NISCI study together with his colleague Prof. Dr. Norbert Weidner.

Photos: Stefanie Korherr, Carolin Franz

strategy, but it is also willing to take risks. Some of the approaches it supports are somewhat controversial. I am very impressed by this mindset. For example, some of the projects that Wings for Life has been funding for 20 years are now actually entering the clinical stage. Many scientists who conduct research on patients are keen to collaborate with Wings for Life. I very much hope that the foundation will be rewarded for its efforts in the sense of finding a cure.

Have you learned anything from your patients? I am profoundly impressed by how people handle their fate. An absolute majority of patients experience deep crises after an accident, overcome them, and eventually come to terms with their new situation. Spinal cord injury patients typically manage to reintegrate into everyday life and return to leading contented lives. Naturally, none of them is contented enough to turn down a chance to improve their respective condition.

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Those affected and researchers agree on what is omnipresent here in Salzburg: science is hope.

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Photo: Limex Images/Heiko Mandl

Science

Researchers Among Themselves 120 scientists from around the globe, 71 project presentations, and a common goal – to find a cure for spinal cord injuries. We recap this year’s Wings for Life Scientific Meeting.

e are extremely proud of the fact that the elite of spinal cord research once again followed our invitation to attend this year’s Scientific Meeting in Salzburg, Austria. The two-day event was packed with top secret research insights, exciting debates, and new ideas for future collaborations. Dr. Antje Kroner-Milsch, from the Medical College in Wisconsin, USA, was among the attendants. We asked her a few questions. WINGS FOR LIFE

Science

The first Scientific Meeting in person after two years – how did you experience it? I was most looking forward to the presentations by my colleagues and to stimulating debates. I really enjoy scientific exchange, something I have missed greatly. We did meet virtually over the last two years, but it’s just not the same. I really enjoy meeting in person.

all, it’s truly inspiring to hear about what colleagues are working on. It’s wonderful to discuss new questions and spin ideas together. I take a great deal away from meetings like these.

tem. Sam David, one of my mentors, got me interested in spinal cord injuries. This fascination has stuck with me ever since. Conducting research in this field feels very rewarding and important.

What is your personal motivation? I have always been fascinated by neuroscience and the nervous sys-

What else will you be remembering about Salzburg? The famous “Topfenknödel” (curd cheese dumplings), no question.

“It’s truly inspiring to hear about what colleagues are working on.” Antje Kroner-Milsch

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Personal exchange and networking among researchers are essential for further progress: Lukas Grassner, Marios Papadopoulos and Samira Saadoun (from left).

Photos: Limex Images/Heiko Mandl, Limex Images/Andreas Schaad, Wimmer Photography

What’s your take-away from the meeting? It is enormously important to report on progress and demonstrate the work that has been done. Above

Science

Our Funded Research Projects 2023/24

16 Countries Australia Austria Belgium Canada

Goal Find a cure for spinal cord injury

France Germany Great Britain Italy

Japan Netherlands New Zealand Portugal

Basic research

42%

Investigation of fundamental scientific questions

Sweden Switzerland Uruguay United States

Research areas

4 protection Neuro

Imaging

Remyelination

Preclinical research

40%

ongoing research projects

Examination of findings in living organism

Clinical research

18%

Testing of therapies and medication in humans

Secondary damage

Reconstruction

Regeneration

3 Bioinformatic

Total number of funded research projects 11

111

125 144 172

191

299

211 239 259 276

2 Biomarkers

Rehabilitation

Illustration: Getty Images/iStock

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

Please find detailed information on the research projects at www.wingsforlife.com/research

Plasticity

years – the average duration that projects get funded

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E M I R AT

ED A R A

Ten Years of the Wings for Life World Run 38

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Photo: Naim Chidiac

Wings for Life World Run

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Wings for Life World Run

Lukas Müller delivered the ultimate “goosebumps moment” during the tenth edition of the Wings for Life World Run. Participating in the flagship run in Vienna, Austria, the athlete, who suffers from an incomplete spinal cord injury, stepped out of his wheelchair and covered more than 1.25 miles on crutches. Thousands cheered him on from the side lines. “To experience the support of so many people and to know that the whole world is on its feet at this moment – I really have no words to express how that feels,” he said later, visibly moved.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to every single participant!

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Photo: Philipp Carl Riedl

We are also at a loss for words. 206,728 participants around the globe laced their running shoes for the good cause. Be it in a wheelchair, walking, or running – together we managed to raise the incredible sum of 5.8 million Euros for spinal cord research. We are over the moon.

RIA

AUS

VIE

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Wings for Life World Run

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Photo: Tomislav Moze

TIA

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Wings for Life World Run

AI PA

SEN

Photo: Jason Halayko

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Wings for Life World Run

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Science

Joanna Stanicka, Ph.D., neuroscientist and CEO of the biotech start-up Axonis

Dr. Stanicka, what made you become a researcher? When I was a kid, my cousin was diagnosed with an aggressive case of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Fortunately, she was signed up for a clinical trial on one of the first antibody immunotherapies, which completely stopped the disease from progressing. It was so inspiring to see her recovery that becoming a scientist became a clear career choice for me. What fascinates you about neuroscience? As a scientist I am fascinated by the complexity of the brain and spinal cord circuits, as well as how neurons are so different to other cells in the body. However, 48

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as an entrepreneur, when I think of neuroscience or neurology I just see a big need, which is a problem that needs solutions. You are co-founder and CEO of the company “Axonis” – what was your motivation behind this? It’s simple – it’s the need. The treatment options for people with paralysis are currently close to none. It is so rewarding to work on solutions to these problems and being right at the edge of clinical translation. What are you working on right now? Right now, I am completely absorbed in continuing the translation and development of our KCC2 potentiator. An oral, non-invasive small molecule treatment that could revolutionize neurology, including in the spinal cord injury field. What are the next steps to bringing your approach to the clinic? We are currently in the preclinical stage. Toxicology studies are our immediate current goal. We are aiming to progress into clinical trials in 2024.

What milestones in your career are you most proud of? Definitely my work at Axonis. When I started, we had no investments and no lab. Today, we are a fully operational biotech startup! I am really proud how far we have come and I am so excited to keep growing and progressing our medicines still further, to make them available for patients. What is your favorite thing to do in your free time? I love to spend my free time with my husband and our two children and on my hobbies, which include gardening, reading, and cooking. Do you have a particular philosophy of life? I am a firm believer that anybody can do and achieve whatever they want as long as they are willing to work hard for it. I am also a doer – I need to act when I’ve made up my mind about something. What are your dreams and goals for the future? Developing KCC2 medicines is my number one goal for the future. I will think about the next goals afterwards – focus is the key!

Photo: Limex Images/Andreas Schaad

Talents in Science

Joanna Stanicka is investigating a new drug, which is designed to restore the activity of the ion transporter KCC2 a fter spinal cord injury. This should improve motor functions and reduce pain and spasticity. More at: wingsforlife.com/research

“I am really proud how far we have come.” Joanna Stanicka

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Spinal Cord Injur y

It Felt Like a Thousand Pinpricks

Photo: Akemi Hoshi

Michaela Hauser, a mother of two, was in her prime when she decided to join some colleagues skiing. Her bindings opened unexpectedly, resulting in a bad fall. She only returned home months later – as a completely different person.

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Her family has been the most important support since her accident: Michaela with her daughter and her husband.

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Michaela, you suffered a spinal cord injury during a ski outing with colleagues. What happened?

I organized the outing for everyone, as I did every year. We headed to the Dachstein ski resort, here in Austria. The snow had already softened up a little, but the weather was glorious. Shortly before noon, we decided to turn in and visit a hut. A beginner was skiing alongside me, edging ever closer. I tried to dodge him by making a turn. That’s when my bindings popped open. I skidded down the slope and my right ski got caught. I flipped over and heard a loud crack … then it was all over.

That must have been quite a shock …

It was, but it felt like being in a tunnel. Survival is the only thing that matters. As a trained nurse, I went through all possible scenarios. I didn’t consider a spinal cord injury at first. I thought my hip was broken. My colleagues rushed over to help me immediately. I remember saying that nobody should touch me. The emergency helicopter arrived within 15 minutes – it all happened really quickly. I was then transferred to the helicopter and flown to the hospital in Salzburg.

“There was a loud crack in my body. I heard it quite distinctly.” Michaela Hauser

You heard the fracture happening in your body?

Like every year, Michaela organized a ski outing with her colleagues – up until her accident.

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Photos: Akemi Hoshi, private

Yes, quite distinctly. I eventually landed on my back and slid even further down the hill headfirst. The collar of my jacket filled with snow and stabilised my head – that was my luck. I remained conscious throughout, but I didn’t feel a thing.

What was your diagnosis?

I was diagnosed with a fracture at C7 level, so at the height of the cervical spine. It was an incomplete spinal cord injury. How did you feel when you were told about the diagnosis?

I had so much rage in me, against everything and everyone. As a nurse, I was always used to helping others. I was always the strong person. Just like that, I was suddenly utterly helpless. I couldn’t hug my husband and children, who were 9 and 13 years old at the time, when they visited me in the hospital for the first time. That was the toughest aspect to take. I couldn’t move any part of my body for the initial two weeks. A little later I managed to move my finger a little. I remem-

ber saying to my husband: “If this stays the way it is now, I can’t live like this.” I trained tirelessly during that period and attended as many physiotherapy sessions as possible, in the hope that some bodily functions would return. Some of them did …

Yes, I retained residual function in my arms and legs. I learned how to take a few steps on crutches. I didn’t feel like I belonged anywhere at first – not to the wheelchair users, but not to the walkers either. That fact that I suffered an incomplete spinal cord injury is both a curse and a blessing. How so?

I experience pain every day. It feels like a thousand pinpricks, as if my

The trained nurse can take a few steps with crutches – and has thus retained a little independence.

whole body is on fire. The pain increases in the winter due to the cold. Yet I have learned to live with that. It might sound strange to others, but I’m actually happy about it. The spasticity and pain allow me to feel my body somewhat. It allows me to feel my feet to an extent that I can walk a few steps. It’s not exactly effective walking, but it gives me a degree of independence. You come across as a very strong individual …

I had to make a decision at some point. Shortly after my injury, I was completely obnoxious. I perceived WINGS FOR LIFE

Spinal Cord Injur y

“In a way, I got off lightly and can lead a reasonably independent life.” Michaela Hauser

the wheelchair as my enemy. I was convinced that everyone was staring at me and gawking. I didn’t really like myself at the time, but then I learned to accept my fate. How did your family cope with the situation?

I am relieved that my children were so grown up when the accident occurred. They immediately understood that this is something 54

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we need to work through together. Children are the most uncomplicated people in such situations. They have natural approach. I never imagined that spinal cord injuries – and everything they entail – are so complex. Everybody seems to focus on the “no longer being able to walk” aspect, but there is much more to it. In a way, I got off lightly and can lead a reasonably independent life. Admittedly, I

suffer from urge incontinence* and need to plan my day accordingly, but I don’t require assistance or someone to accompany me to the bathroom. Anyone capable of doing these things themselves does them – even if it takes three to four times longer than usual. Independence of any kind is so important on a personal level. For that, and for my amazing family, I’m infinitely grateful.

Photos: Akemi Hoshi, private

If there were a cure, Michaela would love to go running first, and then up the mountain with her family.

What is your wish for the future?

I still go to physiotherapy a lot. My ultimate goal is to continue doing that and to maintain my independence for as long as possible. What would you do if a cure was found tomorrow?

My husband and I were always very athletic. He still participates in many runs and mara-

thons, which does make me feel rather wistful at times. Shortly after the accident happened, I used to dream that I was running outside among the fields. I actually smelled the freshly cut grass. If a cure was found tomorrow, I would do exactly that: go for a run. Then I would head out into the great outdoors with my family, maybe go hiking. That would be so lovely.

WHAT’S URGE INCONTINENCE?

* It is a form of urinary incontinence. Those affected feel a sudden, strong urge to use the toilet – without any prior indication.

At the Wings for Life World Run, together with friends and family.

Shortly after the accident, the wheelchair was her enemy. In the meantime, Michaela has not only accepted it, but also regains hope.

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Spinal Cord Injur y

Did you know that …

I With spinal cord injuries, the higher the injury, the worse the outcome.

WOLFGANG ILLEK is Head of Fundraising at Wings for Life. He suffered a high-level spinal cord injury caused by a bicycle accident.

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always perceived people with spinal cord injuries as people who couldn’t walk. Until I suffered a serious accident myself, that is. When I regained consciousness in hospital, I had limited movement in my arms and no movement at all in my hands and fingers. Nothing has changed to this day. From the neck down, I no longer feel touch or temperature – not even the pain caused by a needle prick. Every spinal cord injury is unique. Accordingly, the same applies to its physical impact. The extent of function loss depends on the level and severity of the damage. Given that motor, sensory, and autonomic pathways are in close proximity to each other, the range and combination of neurological deficits is equally broad. Higher equals worse Even an injury to the sacral segment of the spinal cord – its tail end, so to speak – can have devastating consequences. At this level, bladder, bowel, and sexual functions are already affected. Just a little higher – at the level of

the lumbar spinal cord – an injury leads to loss of hip, leg, and foot mobility. A patient injured at the level of the thoracic spinal cord suffers an additional loss of torso control, temperature regulation, and abdominal musculature. Should the injury occur at the worst possible position – at the level of the cervical spinal cord, as in my case – breathing, arms, hands and fingers are likewise affected. While some spinal cord injury patients may be capable of standing up and feeling cold water trickle down their legs, others can’t even breathe independently and are permanently reliant on assistance. Approximately 60% of all those affected suffer from a complete spinal cord injury, roughly 40% from an incomplete one. In the case of the latter, residual functions are preserved to some extent. To further complicate matters, only certain aspects of sensitivity may be impaired: pain and temperature perception, touch sensation, and many more. The innumerable variations of a spinal cord injury cause problems for researchers, too. After all, a cure is meant to help everyone.

Photos: Helge Kirchberger, Philipp Horak

… every spinal cord injury is unique?

Spinal cord injury and its innumerable versions: The amount of functions lost depends on the level and extent of the damage.

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Science

7Projects with Promise

Scientists around the globe are working feverishly to find a cure for spinal cord injuries. They all pursue different avenues in terms of ideas and methods.

Photos: Brenna Tysinger, private

We shine a light on seven promising research projects funded by Wings for Life.

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When B Cells Light Fires

Hasselt University, Department of Immunology & Infectiology, Belgium

Maintaining Nerve Cable Conductivity University of Louisville, Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Centre, USA

Nerves function like electrical cables. The conductive cable is formed by axons – the extension of a nerve cell. The insulating layer consists of support cells – the myelin layer. Axons and myelin jointly ensure the rapid transmission of information. Spinal cord injuries disrupt this pattern, as swelling prevents the nerves from working seamlessly. Researchers led by David Stirling are testing chemical blockers in an attempt to prevent this swelling from happening. The ultimate hope is to preserve the connections within the nerve pathways – and to improve recovery levels.

David Stirling from University of Louisville.

Nerves function like electrical cables. Spinal cord injuries disrupt this pattern, as swelling prevents the nerves from working seamlessly. Chemical blockers should prevent this swelling from happening.

A spinal cord injury also impacts the immune system, causing the body to respond with inflammation. In the course of what is known as “secondary damage”, additional tissue is destroyed at the injury site. A research team headed by Judith Fraussen from Belgium demonstrated that so-called “B cells” play a pivotal role in this process. They are an integral part of the immune system and jointly responsible for repelling pathogens. The researchers now hope to determine how these B-cells influence inflammatory response. This could provide the foundation for new therapeutic models.

Judith Fraussen from Hasselt University.

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Science

Scar Softener

Boston University, Biomedical Engineering, USA

sized carriers. This approach is coupled with the transplantation of neural stem cells intended to induce the regrowth of nerve cells. 60

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Margaret Hospital Photographics

Timothy O’Shea (right) and his research team from Boston University.

Photos: Channing Johnson, Princess

An impermeable scar tissue develops during the wound healing process following a spinal cord injury. It is, biologically speaking, important as a protective measure to limit inflammatory reaction. However, it poses an insurmountable obstacle to the nerve cells trying to re-sprout. The research group led by Timothy O’Shea is exploring a new strategy: the injection of enzymes directly at the site of the scar. The aim is to soften the tissue and render the injury site more permeable by harnessing specifically developed, nano-

Promising Trio

Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Canada

Projection Fibers As Key

Boston Children’s Hospital, F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, USA Projection fibers are a very particular set of nerve cells. They connect multiple regions of the brain to the spinal cord. The fibers are functionally significant, as they transmit various autonomic, sensory, and motor signals back and forth. They react varyingly to an injury: some cell groups are more resistant to trauma; others respond better to treatment. It would, therefore, be a mistake to lump all projection fibers together. Carla Winter from Boston is currently striving to understand which factors make the difference. Understanding the mechanisms may be a crucial missing piece of the puzzle for the development of individually adapted and effective treatments following spinal cord injury.

Researchers led by Charles Tator of Toronto hope to move closer to a cure by means of a three-pronged approach. In a first step, a substance called “ampakine” is administered into the injury site. The idea is to make cells more resilient by altering the calcium influx. Then an antibody is injected to attenuate the negative impact on cell growth. Finally, neural stem cells are transplanted to fill the damaged area with new nerve cells. This is an ambitious project based on the encouraging results of the individual approaches. However, the combination of the three approaches has not yet been studied in spinal cord injuries.

Carla Winter conducts research at Harvard Medical School in Boston. Charles Tator from the University of Toronto. WINGS FOR LIFE

Science

Fitness Regime for Stem Cells

Houston Methodist Research Institute, Center for Neuroregeneration, USA

Iris Leister from the BG Unfallklinik Murnau.

Blood Pressure Pushes Recovery to the Limit

Center for Spinal Cord Injury BG Unfallklinik Murnau, Germany

Researchers have long held the hope that stem cells are capable of replacing damaged and dead nerve cells, or of helping nerve cells to regrow. Promising approaches in laboratory environments have emerged, such as the one developed by Phil Horner and his team. In an experiment, they are attempting to prime neural stem cells before transplantation. The idea is to improve their condition, allowing them to better integrate into the respective tissue of the transplant site. With the assistance of electrical stimulation, the nerves should subsequently regrow in a targeted process. Stem cell transplants and electrical stimulation are two highly encouraging technologies. If this approach yields results, it could lead to far-reaching improvements for many different kinds of nerve injuries.

UCSF Brain and Spinal Injury Center, San Francisco, USA

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Philip Horner (front center) with his research group from Houston Methodist Research Institute. Photos: Private

Blood pressure plays a key role in acute spinal cord injuries. Previous studies showed that the spinal cord is better perfused when blood pressure is elevated, and therefore influences neurological recovery. The standard recommendation is to, if necessary, maintain high blood pressure through medication – even if it is not individually adapted to the patient. Scientists led by Iris Leister are now reassessing the benefits of raising blood pressure. In future, target values should better reflect the patient’s age, injury severity, and medical history. To achieve this, the researchers are analysing large quantities of intensive care data. The result should improve patients’ chances of recovery.

Honoring Through Research provides an opportunity for our strongest supporters to link their name to a portfolio of our research. Qualifiers attend a lab tour to see the direct impact of their contributions.

Columbia Distributing with Dr. Camila Marques de Freria

Lift Off Distribution with Dr. Stephen Strittmatter

Power Distributing with Dr. Martin Oudega

GrandPOOBear with Dr. Michael Kilgard

Thank you to this year’s participants

For more information, email celeste.burnias@wingsforlife.com

Through the Wings for Life Retail Campaign, you can raise funds and awareness through customer engagement at the point of purchase. Congratulations to Alta Convenience for receiving this year’s #1 National Retail Leadership Award. For more information, email rose.rather@wingsforlife.com

TOGETHER, WE WILL FIND A CURE FOR SPINAL CORD INJURIES.

IS GIVING WINGS TO

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Photo: Limex Images/Andreas Schaad

For years, Atena Zahedi blamed herself for her little brother’s accident – even though she was still a child herself at the time.

Science

Conducting Research for Her Brother Atena Zahedi was just ten years old when her little brother was involved in a serious accident at the beach in Iran. The family was in desperate need of help – and hope. Atena decided to take matters into her own hands by choosing a career in research, in honor of her brother.

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Science

so, so awful. These visuals have stayed with me for a lifetime,” Atena remembers as tears well up in her eyes. “My brother was sort of conscious, and he was looking at me. His body was shattered – and his skin was damaged so bad. It was awful.” The small town they were staying in didn’t have an ambulance, let alone paramedics. Atena ran as fast as she could. She finally found her mother and the devastated trio returned to the capital in a taxi. Her little brother’s body was wrapped in a towel in her arms: “It’s a miracle he survived.” The doctors at the hospital in Tehran initially refused to operate on the boy. With a disbelieving shake of her head, Atena remembers how the medical experts told her mother to go home, claiming

it wouldn’t make sense to try and keep her son alive. Even almost thirty years down the line, she still struggles to comprehend why the doctors acted like they did. “My mother was a midwife and luckily had some medical skills, so she somehow managed to stabilize my younger brother. Yet his hip bones were shattered into a million pieces, as was his spine. He really needed surgery.” In her desperation, the mother traveled to England with her son hoping for help. When treatment was suspended in London, her only remaining hope was the US, where an uncle of the family already lived. So they crossed the Atlantic and turned their backs on life in Iran forever. Many Doctors, Little Hope

Upon arrival in California, Atena’s brother was immediately transferred to a hospital: “He had countless surgeries on his spine, hips, and legs. It must have been torture for him, but he was so incredibly brave.” The Zahedis were granted a place in a Ronald

Atena Zahedi (left, with her mother) and her family left their home country to save the life of her little brother.

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Photos: Private, Limex Images/Andreas Schaad, Wings for Life

tena’s family was really looking forward to a well-deser ved break when they traveled to northern Iran in 1994. The plan was to spend a one-week vacation with aunts, uncles, and cousins – all in the same place. Upon arrival, the scent in the air promised summer vibes and carefree days. Atena, her younger brother, and her cousins decided to build some sandcastles at the beach. Nearby, a group of workers was expanding the beach area by piling up more sand. A massive truck delivering the next load of sand was maneuvered too close to the playing children – and then matters escalated quite quickly. The driver overlooked Atena’s brother when he reversed his truck, running over the helpless two-year-old boy. “It was

Prof. Aileen Anderson and Dr. Atena Zahedi (center) during a Wings for Life Lab tour at the University of California, Irvine.

Atena Zahedi knows exactly why she does what she does every day: “My brother is very proud of me – and I am so proud of him as well.”

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Science

“I might not know when a cure will be found, but I know that research matters.” Atena Zahedi

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In her research, Atena Zahedi focuses on stem cells and their potential to cure spinal cord injuries.

attending a course in neuroscience during her first year at college, she heard about a research conference that she was eager to attend. At that conference, she first learned about stem cells and their potential to treat disease. This inspired Atena to pursue her PhD studies in neuroscience and stem cells. During her studies, she attended another conference. That’s where she met Dr. Anderson, a specialist in stem cell and spinal cord research. “While I listened to her speech, I realized that this was what I needed to do,” Atena says. “I knew immediately. It sounded like a miracle to me.” The both of them engaged in a long conversation, where she shared her own tragic story. Atena soon proved herself and received a scholarship. Ultimately, the two women started working together. Today, many years later, Atena is

a full-time employee at the University of California in Irvine. Dr. Anderson and she are researching stem cell therapies to treat spinal cord injuries – in the hope of finding a cure. “My brother is very proud of me and my accomplishments – and I am so proud of him as well. He is such a wonderful person,” Atena smiles. Her brother lives in Chicago and works for an organization that supports people with disabilities. He leads an independent life despite being a wheelchair user, yet he still struggles with the consequences of his accident every day. When asked what her wish for him is, Atena replies: “That he never loses hope. I might not know when a cure will be found, but I know that research matters. As long as there’s hope and people don’t give up, everything is possible.”

Photo: Private

McDonald House, a charity that supports families with sick children in their times of need. They spent a great deal of time in the facility while Atena continued to blame herself. “It took years of therapy before I finally understood that I, too, was a kid at the time. As the big sister, I blamed myself for everything,” Atena recalls. She spent many sleepless nights praying and wishing she could switch places with her brother to ease his suffering. While at his bedside, Atena watched on as her brother’s condition improved slowly. She met so many doctors over the years, but also realized that they all focused on damage control. Nobody ever mentioned being able to walk again – nobody ever gave any hope. Atena decided to take matters into her own hands the moment she turned 18 years of age. After

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To Simply Stand Up and Walk Away

meet up with Hannes Kinigadner in a photo studio not far from our foundation headquarters in Salzburg. This year marks two decades since his accident – that’s what we intend to chat about while filming some of his answers. I have been acquainted with Hannes for a rather long time now and know him quite well. I am familiar with his story and his physical limitations. I am aware that he requires constant assistance while navigating everyday life. However, I also know Hannes as a subtle observer of the world around him, a man gifted with quick wit and dry humor. I also greatly respect the manner in which he has embraced his fate. Hannes was only 19 years old when the ability to choose was snatched from him. He was a teenager eager to turn a hobby into a profession, to make his dream of a successful motocross career come true. His definition of ultimate freedom was to simply speed off fast on a whim. Even though it all happened 70

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such a long time ago, Hannes still recalls every detail. He describes how content he felt on that beautiful summer day in July 2003, how he approached that fateful

Hannes Kinigadner remembers every detail of the day that would change his life forever.

left-hand bend, how he suffered a heavy fall. He tells me about how he suddenly could no longer move neither his hands nor his legs, how

his numb body was lowered into a wheelchair for the first time as the world he knew fell apart. Hannes doesn’t complain, doesn’t seek pity. All he desires is a cure for spinal cord injuries, and to finally rise from bed unaided again in the morning. He has been waiting for spinal cord research to make a breakthrough – and for him to regain his physical freedom – for twenty years. I ask him whether it sometimes feels as if time is running out for him. Hannes glances up brief ly, as he often does when pondering a question. “Yes”, he answers. “I’ve been in this wheelchair half my life, I’m sure I’ve felt impatience at times …” Both Hannes and I acknowledge that his injury is incredibly complicated. Researchers across the globe are working on finding a solution to his problem. We know that Wings for Life is advancing research massively. Yet – in this moment, with no further words spoken – we both wish for the same thing: for both of us to simply stand up and walk away at the end of this interview.

Photo: Private

by Steffi Schwarz

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