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Stories

We are not just a foundation. We will make a change

Novel Funding Model to Drive a Cure

Wings for Life is proud to declare our investment as a co-founder in a new venture philanthropy initiative, SCI Ventures.

265,818 times THANK YOU!

Never before have so many people been on the track at the same time. The Wings for Life World Run has once again made history and brought smiles to the faces of so many people around the world.

World Run

The Summer School is back

Promoting young scientists for the future – that is the aim of the Spinal Cord Injury Summer School, which is taking place for the fifth time this year.

This is how many projects we are funding this year

Thanks to our incredible donors and the participants of the Wings for Life World Run, we are able to financially support 23 new projects this year.

Philip's story

Philip is a happy, married man with four children. His life used to be idyllic. Up until 19 January 2019 – until an unremarkable fall turned his world on its head. This is his story.

Neuroprotection/Secondary damage

DISCUS study: Duroplasty for the Injured cervical Spinal Cord with Uncontrolled Swelling

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Adapting to Life

Casey suffered a life-changing spinal cord injury following a mountain bike accident when out riding one day with her friends.

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Stippling West

Dustine West had worked hard to get his dream job, when one traumatic journey home changed his life as he knew it. Now Dustine is overcoming his accident by putting pen to paper.

All you need to know about STIMO

STIMO is currently receiving a great deal of publicity. Three patients with chronic paraplegia have significantly improved their walking capacities after participating in this clinical study.

The ride of his life

Fall off your bike and they say you should climb right back on. For Steven Dowd, that proved the greatest challenge imaginable.

The challenge of everyday life

Wolfgang Illek is a quadriplegic. He has been paralysed from the neck down ever since a cycling accident that happened 18 years ago. However, he refuses to accept defeat. What does his daily routine look like, you ask? Like this!

We are committed

The question is not if we will find a cure, but when

Wings for Life Portrait

This is our story

Wings for Life is a not for profit nationally recognised foundation for spinal cord research. We use donations to support promising research projects and clinical studies worldwide to heal the injured spinal cord. Our mission is to find a cure for spinal cord injuries. Because science agrees: injured nerve cells are capable of regeneration. Support us in achieving our goal.

UK registered charity 1138804
Review and monitoring of each grant by independent experts
100% of donations go to research
We unite researchers with those affected

Research

Explore what your donation makes possible

All Projects

324 Research Projects

have been funded so far

20 Countries

have been participating in our research

679 Experts

have reviewed projects for Wings for Life

324 Research Projects

have been funded so far

20 Countries

have been participating in our research

679 Experts

have reviewed projects for Wings for Life

Stories of those affected

The Day Everything Changed

I Will Rise From This Wheelchair One Day!

Read Hannes' story

The main causes

It can happen to anyone. Especially in everyday life.

Acute spinal cord injuries per year

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Every donation leads us closer to a cure

100 % of your donation goes to research

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Innovative scaffolds

A Spanish team of scientists showed that graphene-based scaffolds have great potential in the field of neural repair.

Repurposing – Unveiling the potential of existing drugs

Repurposing is considered as an uncovered treasure. Researchers are investigating the potential of repurposing existing drugs to enhance spinal cord injury recovery.

A Life-Changing Nerve

The vagus nerve is the most fascinating nerve in our body – and plays a key role in the treatment of spinal cord injuries. Professor Michael Kilgard has discovered a way to utilize its capabilities.

International clinical trial for antibody treatment completed

An innovative multicenter study tested an antibody that is directed against the protein Nogo-A, which inhibits nerve fiber growth. The aim is to block nerve regeneration brakes by administering antibodies in order to promote the sprouting of nerve fibers. For this purpose, the Nogo-A antibody was repeatedly injected into the cerebrospinal fluid of high spinal cord injury patients. The so-called 'NISCI' study provides preliminary evidence of a possible improvement in self care (activities of daily living) after antibody administration. Although the targeted extent and thus the so-called ‚primary endpoint‘ was not reached, important conclusions could be drawn. These will be used to focus more specifically on a specific patient group in future testing, which show possible hints for improved function (so-called 'responder group'). This will increase the chance of providing proof of effectiveness.

20 Years of Wings for Life

A walk down memory lane and the story of a very special journey.

Reducing nerve swelling boosts movement recovery

Neuroscientists in the USA showed how cellular swelling in the spinal cord develops and offer insights into new treatment methods.

Faces of Hope

"People with spinal cord injuries share their biggest dreams – and researchers demonstrate their tireless efforts to turn these dreams into reality. A series of images about a shared journey, courage, and the profound hope for a cure."

Protecting the spinal cord from iron

A new study reveals that a type of cell death called ferroptosis, driven by iron, plays a significant role in the damage caused by spinal cord injury. Targeting this process, improves recovery, offering hope for a new class of therapies.

Two Fates, One Mission

Sarah and Roland have something in common. Both suffered spinal cord injuries in an accident, which is why they introduced Wings for Life to their home country of Liechtenstein.

We are funding 26 new research projects

A complex selection process has been completed and we are proud to be funding 25 new research projects this year.

About the foundation

All articles

20 Years of Wings for Life

A walk down memory lane and the story of a very special journey.

Two Fates, One Mission

Sarah and Roland have something in common. Both suffered spinal cord injuries in an accident, which is why they introduced Wings for Life to their home country of Liechtenstein.

We are funding 26 new research projects

A complex selection process has been completed and we are proud to be funding 25 new research projects this year.

Summer School 2024 – Learning and Sharing

When students learn from the luminaries of spinal cord research, we are referring to the Spinal Cord Injury Summer School. This year, we convened for the fifth edition in Switzerland.

Novel Funding Model to Drive a Cure

Wings for Life is proud to declare our investment as a co-founder in a new venture philanthropy initiative, SCI Ventures.

Our Scientific Meeting 2024

The world elite of spinal cord research gathered in Salzburg, Austria, for three days to present and discuss the latest scientific findings. A look back.

Our Review of 2023

This year has been quite something. It was fun, exciting, touching, innovative, and challenging – yet always full of hope. Let's take a look back.

This is how many projects we are funding this year

Thanks to our incredible donors and the participants of the Wings for Life World Run, we are able to financially support 23 new projects this year.

Wings for Life Scientific Meeting 2023

How do you know it’s time for our annual Scientific Meeting? When the greatest minds in spinal cord research gather in one room.

Celebrating life.

“Once you realise that it could all be over in a flash, you realise you need to enjoy every day.”

When dreams learn to walk

About a very special moment this year.

This is where your donation goes

Every year, with the sole mission of finding the cure for spinal cord injury, we fund research projects around the globe. Find out more here.

Thank you, Dietrich!

You will be missed.

Favourite Pieces

Our new Wings for Life collection is here – 100 % of the proceeds go to spinal cord research.

Infographic: This is how many projects we are funding this year

Thanks to our donors and the participants in the Wings for Life World Run, we are able to financially support 17 new projects this year.

Nico Langmann is Wings for Life Ambassador

Nico Langmann is one of the best wheelchair tennis players in the world. He is now joining forces with Wings for Life as an Ambassador.

DTM supports Wings for Life

New partnership with long-standing series

A matching platform for patients and clinical trials

To break barriers to the success of clinical studies, SCI Trials Finder matches people with spinal cord injuries and clinical trials. A remodeled version of the website is now online. bringen.

Year in Review – This Was Our 2021

One team – one goal: a cure for spinal cord injuries.

We are funding 20 new projects!

After this year’s Decision Meeting, we are going to fund 20 new projects. This means in total 64 studies worldwide are being funded by Wings for Life to find a cure for spinal cord injuries.