After skiing down to a run that had poorer snow conditions and less coverage than he expected, he took off his skis and attempted to hike back up to a run with fewer exposed obstacles. He slipped while climbing and fell 30-40 feet down the side of a cliff. He struck ice and rocks and broke his neck at the fifth and sixth vertebrae from the bottom of his skull (C4, ASIA A). He was found about 45 minutes after the fall. He was then flown to the trauma unit at Washoe Medical Center in Reno, Nevada. He spent three months in the hospital including time at both Washoe Medical Center and Santa Clara. The accident left Matt as a quadriplegic, paralyzed from his chest down and without the use of his hands.

This life-changing event brings with it a substantial financial burden for the Calverts. Even with insurance, Matt and Elizabeth have already incurred substantial financial costs. First year expenses for quadriplegics average $470,833 (Source: the University of Alabama at Birmingham National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center.) including initial hospital costs, a van and necessary van modifications, home care, ongoing insurance co-payments, home renovations and long-term care.

To assist with this immense financial burden, a fundraising campaign for Matt has been established with HelpHOPELive. We chose HelpHOPELive because they provide both tax-deductibility and fiscal accountability to contributors. HelpHOPELive is a highly regarded nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization which has been providing financial services and support to transplant patients for over 20 years and has been helping spinal cord injury patients since 2000. They have a professional affiliation with the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation (www.christopherreeve.org). For more information about HelpHOPELive, please contact HelpHOPELive at 800-642-8399 or visit www.transplantfund.org

Contributions are earmarked for the exclusive use of the Calverts and are available to pay for uninsured medical expenses and to assist with Matt’s recovery.

For updates on Matt’s progress, please visit www.mattcalvert.com<

Your contributions are greatly appreciated.

To make a tax-deductible contribution to Matt’s fund by check or credit card see instructions below.

By Check
Payable to: HelpHOPELive Southwest Spinal Cord Injury Fund
Check Memo section must include: In Honor of Matt Calvert
Mail To: HelpHOPELive, Two Radnor Corporate Center100 Matsonford Road, Suite 100, Radnor, PA 19087

By Credit Card:
Click the “contribute now” button below.

To email this page directly to others in your community, who might wish to learn about Matthew’s campaign, click the “email” button and type in as many email addresses as you wish.

Thank you for your support.