Welcome to the website of The Alberta Paraplegic Foundation (The APF).  Our purpose is to fund worthwhile scientific and community development projects related to spinal cord injury.    

The APF originated, in part, from Rick Hansen's epic Man in Motion World Tour.  It was established to create a permanent legacy to honor what Rick had accomplished and to support his objective to increase awareness of the potential of people with disabilities. The Canadian Paraplegic Association (Alberta) was the founding member of the foundation through the contribution of a bequest left by the late Thomas Greater who asked that his money support spinal regeneration research.

Established in 1987, The APF funds medical research related to spinal cord injury and the development of rehabilitation, wheelchair sports and awareness programs. The Alberta Government contributed $2.6 million to the fund later that year to match donations raised through Rick Hansen and the Man in Motion Tour in Alberta.

This fund has grown to a little over $4 million dollars and the accumulated interest has enabled the Foundation to provide funding of approximately $4 million dollars to worthy grant recipients.

Current funding is directed at projects that provide innovative, collaborative solutions and research programs that push the envelope in terms of understanding how the spinal cord operates.