Mike Bates

Ramona, CA

Southwest Catastrophic Injury Fund

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Help Hope Live

Note in memo:
In honor of Mike Bates

Mail to:
Help Hope Live
2 Radnor Corporate Center
Suite 100
100 Matsonford Road
Radnor, PA 19087

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Dear Family and Friends,

I am writing to you on behalf of our brother, Mike Bates, a beloved husband, father and a true friend to many. Mike suffered a life-changing spinal cord injury following a devastating motorcycle accident over the 2011 Thanksgiving holiday. This was while camping in the desert with family and friends, a 40 year family tradition. Mike is now a C2 quadriplegic.

Mike graduated from Cleveland HS and San Diego State University. He served in the active and reserve Navy completing multiple deployments over a 26 year career with tours of duty taking part in every major operation over the last quarter century including the 1991 Gulf War, operations in Afghanistan since 2001 and the 2003 War in Iraq. His last deployment was to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom with the Seabees as a Lieutenant Commander in the Civil Engineer Corps. Mike worked as an engineer for Sony and at the time of his accident, worked for Qualcomm in the San Diego area. Mike and his wife, Christine, along with their three children (14, 16 and 25) share a love of family sports — boating, camping, and off-roading.

Since “graduating” from Craig Rehabilitation Center in CO, and returning to San Diego County at the VA hospital in La Jolla, funds from Help Hope Live helped to purchase a new van with driving adaptations, lots of therapy equipment and modify their motorhome so they can continue to camp as a family. Funds continue to pay for in home therapy and equipment. Many friends and business acquaintances also helped to modify his home to accommodate his mobility and rehab needs. For these, our family is extremely grateful.

Although Mike’s recovery is a function of hard work and patience, the family remains hopeful that with the support of family and friends he will continue making progress towards an even more productive life.

From my point of view, Mike’s recovery and rehab has been remarkable. The Veteran’s Administration, along with Mike’s attitude, has been a huge reason for this development. He continues to receive excellent therapy and I am happy to report that Mike is driving his heavily modified van and is active in the community!

Even with insurance and the Veterans Administration, the family will face many uninsured, injury-related expense such as: an advanced rehab program, possible additional surgeries or procedures, co-pays and deductibles and possible additional home modifications. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that a spinal cord injury patient will have between $500,000 and $3 million in lifetime uninsured injury-related expenses.

To help offset these uninsured expenses, this fundraising campaign in Mike’s honor has been established with Help Hope Live, a nonprofit organization that has been assisting the transplant community for nearly 30 years. In 2000, they expanded their mission to include those who have sustained a catastrophic injury. All contributions are tax deductible, are held by Help Hope Live in the Southwest Spinal Cord Injury Fund, and are administered by Help Hope Live for injury-related expenses only. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation today. Mike and his family wish to thank everyone who has contributed in so many different ways — donations, time and prayers.

Sincerely,

Steve Bates

You can contact Mike at:
[email protected]

November 5, 2018

Just wrapped up the 5th Annual fundraising golf tournament and it was a huge success. A great time had by all and lots of money raised for the fund. Thanks to everyone involved that made it such a great event.

September 7, 2018

Video from the 2016 golf tournament

September 7, 2018

Mike has been participating in the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinics in Aspen, Colorado the last two years. Here's a video from 2017.

October 2, 2014

I made it back from Panama in one piece. Now I've started the in home physical therapy that will hopefully help to bring on the results. Nothing big yet, but I can definitely feel things happening. Thanks to everyone that has been supporting me. Don't forget to sign up for the golf tournament on the 17th of this month.

September 23, 2014

Congrats to Mike Robledo, Zack Gilbert and Chuck Nichols who won the Chargers tickets. Big thank you to everyone who purchased raffle tickets as we raised almost twice the face value.

September 18, 2014

The football ticket raffle is close to ending so don't make it easy for those few who have entered to win! Get your entries today on my campaign page. Also, we have just launched the golf tournament at RBI. It's October 17th and there are only 72 spots. Get yours early and bring your friends.

August 25, 2014

Make sure to check my campaign page under fundraising activities for the football ticket raffle. We have three sets of tickets for upcoming Chargers regular-season games. Only $5 per raffle ticket.

August 25, 2014

The August 20 fundraiser was a great time. It was good to see so many people that I haven't seen in a long time. Fundraising at the door and for the trivia went good. When it all gets entered and the matching comes in I should be about 42% of my goal to fun the trip. I can't tell you how much I appreciate the support. I am leaving for Panama on Sunday the 31st, so the next update will be from there. Cheers.

August 18, 2014

The fundraiser at Prospect Bar in La Jolla is this Wednesday the 20th at 5:30. Come on out for some quality entertainment. Fundraising campaign is at 20%, so Mike is making progress. Thank you.

July 31, 2014

Fundraiser at Prospect Bar is set up for August 20th at 5:30 PM. Hope to see everybody there. Fundraising is going well. We are now at 15% of the trip goal!!

July 27, 2014

We launched our official fundraising campaign today. Looking forward to more of the generous support we've seen in the past. Thanks to everybody donated.

July 25, 2014

ok...what a difference a couple days makes! And we haven't even launched the campaign yet. Mike's fund is at 10.2% of his goal. What great support.

July 23, 2014

The fundraising effort has just started and he's at 6% of the goal. The goal for Mike's Panama trip fundraising is $48,000. That covers the month of therapy ($32,000), travel, hotel, caretaker, food and equipment for the hotel. After he returns, Mike will need an additional $16,000 in physical therapy to make the most of the treatment but he's focused on the trip right now. Thanks for your support.

July 23, 2014

Just set the date/time for the fundraiser at Prospect Bar in La Jolla, CA. Come join us at 5:30 on Wednesday, August 20 for some family fun. There will be live music, a trivia contest, a 50-50 raffle and more. Hope to see you there.

July 19, 2014

Mike's trip to Panama is all set up. He'll be leaving on August 31st and returning on September 27th. We're gearing up for fundraisers in August.

June 11, 2014

Mike is headed to Panama City, Panama for stem cell therapy and needs your help. It's been two and a half years since his injury and no further return is happening. This cutting edge technology holds the possibility of added return. Your generous donations thus far have enabled recovery beyond expectations and now we're hoping for more. Thank you all.

March 13, 2021

Golf Tournaments

September 7, 2018

Wakeboarding

September 7, 2018

Mike being Mike

July 30, 2014

Military

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November 25, 2022

Happy Holidays to you and your family Mike!

Mary Lightcap

November 3, 2022

Sorry I can’t make it this year. Hope you and the family are doing well.

Mike Blackford

October 25, 2021

Glad to see the golf tournament was a success! We hope to see you soon. Dan & Jen

Dan and Jen Torpey

March 16, 2021

Hope everyone else will join in Help Hope Live!

David Holland

November 14, 2019

Have a good year Mike and Christine!

Marharet Pratt

November 7, 2018

Thanks, Mike. Glad to donate. It's been many years since we worked together at QUALCOMM, but I think of you often and wish you only the best.

Melanie Gardner

November 2, 2018

Hey Mike, we hope your annual golf tournament goes well. It’s always fun to see everyone come out to support you and have a blast at the same time. We need to schedule lunch soon – Dan & Jen

Dan & Jen Torpey

October 16, 2014

Mike,

Nice to hear about the great progress you've made. Keep up all of the hard work - your an inspiration for all of us.

Matt P.

September 7, 2014

Hi Mike! just bought some raffle tickets (I guess if we win we can raffle them off again - ha ha!). Love hearing your updates from Panama. No need to send you words of encouragement - you're one of those stubborn, driven, never-take-no-for-answer Bates boys!! Keep up the amazing work Mike. We love you and send our prayers to you, Christine, and the gang every day.

Steve, Pam, Tom, and Katie Bates

August 17, 2014

Just read your letter explaining your goals for Panama. When you had your accident I prayed that you would fight. Fight for your recovery and fight to be back with your family. Thank you for making my dreams come true and now I am praying yours do too! Our donation was made and I hope that enjoy this journey to Panama and that it is successful!

Sandy Phillips

August 17, 2014

We love you Mike! We wish we could be in San Diego on the 20th but unfortunately cannot. Our donation has been made and we hope it will help you on your journey to Panama. We are sending you, Christine and the kids all our love, prayers and support. xoxo ~ Kristy & Mitch

Kristy Fisher

July 23, 2014

My husband was a Seebee, my father in law too. I'm a Valley girl and you are a friend of my friend Patti Shea. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Best of luck

Patti Rasmussen

June 27, 2014

Mike,
Just made my donation to support you! I continue to admire your ongoing commitment to doing any and everything you can to improve your condition. I really hope the stem cell treatment yields good results for you. Keep me posted and good luck!
Very Sincerely,

Rachel Inmon

June 19, 2014

Keep fighting Mike...I will be donating very soon. Starting my new job on 6/30....

Jamie Lynn Schilling

February 13, 2012

Dear Mike, My husband and I learned about you and your dear family quite a while ago through our daughter, Annie Rubenstein (Qualcom employee in San Jose). At our dinner table, after her grueling commute home, she would brighten up while sharing stories of good people at her job. You have been an inspiration to her, and in turn to us, long before your accident. We hold you, Christine and your kids in our hearts and prayers daily. My husband is in his 3rd year of recovery from major nerve damage in his left hip and leg. We are a familiar with the long road of patience, hope and belief in a loving Higher Power. You are in good hands! Our very best wishes to you, Mike!
Annie's parents, Sylvie Carr and Don Rubenstein

Donald Rubenstein & Sylvie Carr

February 3, 2012

My dear bro, you are in my thoughts and prayers everyday. I have everyone here in Nor Cal praying for you - from work, church, facebook friends, you name it! You are destined to recuperate, recover, be restored...I love you and so much enjoyed talking to you this weekend. You made my day!
New scriptures come to me often to share that are becoming too numerous so just read your bible and know that you are loved by the Almighty Father who has graciously restored you thus far. He's got plans for you so get better soon!

Theresa Bates, Sacramento, CA

February 3, 2012

You are fortunate to have such great friends and family. Get well soon Mike.

Steve Harrington, Ventura CA

January 20, 2012

Mike
sorry to hear about your accident, we will pray that God will comfort & protect you and your family through these times.
when you have a chance take a look at this bible verse, i think it will encourage you and give you strenght. Isaiah 40:29-31
call me or e mail when you have a chance.
ADios!

joe troya

January 4, 2012

It was great to be able to talk to you on the phone today (with Christine's help of course) - December 21, 2011.

Steve Bates, the Real Northern California

December 27, 2011

Hi Mike. I know you are surrounded with the love of family and friends, and wanted you to know that you have been in my thoughts and prayers as well. It is so great to hear of the progess you have already made. I am looking forward to shaking your hand again soon.

Rich Cohen

December 20, 2011

Mike, we are with you all the way! Don't worry about anything accept getting your body back in shape.

Steve Bates, the Real Northern California

Mail a Check

Make checks payable to:
Help Hope Live

Note in memo:
In honor of Mike Bates

Mail to:
Help Hope Live
2 Radnor Corporate Center
Suite 100
100 Matsonford Road
Radnor, PA 19087

Donor preference is important to us. Please specify in writing if you wish for your name or donation amount to be kept private.

Dear Family and Friends,

Updates (16)

November 5, 2018

September 7, 2018

September 7, 2018

October 2, 2014

September 23, 2014

September 18, 2014

August 25, 2014

August 25, 2014

August 18, 2014

July 31, 2014

July 27, 2014

July 25, 2014

July 23, 2014

July 23, 2014

July 19, 2014

June 11, 2014

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March 13, 2021

September 7, 2018

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July 30, 2014

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