In 1997 Travis and his family founded the Travis Roy Foundation to raise money and awareness for other quadriplegics and paraplegics and to support research for a cure. Travis received an outpouring of public support following a freak paralyzing injury playing ice hockey for the then NCAA champions Boston University Terriers. In an effort to give back, Travis created a tax exempt charitable entity to raise money for others. See more of Travis’ story here.

Art has been an active supporter of the Travis Roy Foundation since its birth, and has seen the organization expand its reach from funding sorely needed adaptive equipment for a limited number of grantees to granting $300,000 annually to applicants across the United States and funding an equal amount annually for well vetted research. He values his association with the Foundation and with Travis as there is no other organization in the country that has the ability to garner widespread grass roots support to help individuals who have no where else to turn for adaptive equipment and support, to help them get on with their lives. Travis’ own injury and his daily life gives him a unique perspective on how best to help others, and his optimism, competitive drive and humor make the Foundation fundraising initiatives fun and rewarding.Art is a partner with the law firm of Hemenway & Barnes LLP of Boston, which provides pro-bono administrative services to the Foundation. He and his wife Connie live in Belmont, Massachusetts; they and their three children have all been active supporters of the Foundation’s various activities.

A Boston native, Benton remembers feeling amazed at the outpouring of support that Travis received from the city after his ice hockey accident. About a year later, Benton’s own son Garrett injured his spinal cord in a car accident and became a quadriplegic. After seeing all that Travis had accomplished in building the Travis Roy Foundation, Benton wanted to do his part to raise awareness, and traveled to nearly every state in the country with Garrett to meet with state representatives and raise funds for spinal cord research. Benton saw that Travis was not only devoted to helping others financially, but also dedicated to providing hope to those affected by spinal cord injuries by funding research projects towards a cure.

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Brenda Roy credits so much of the Travis Roy Foundation’s success to Travis’ infectious spirit, which she says is not only an inspiration for those involved in the organization, but for her and Travis’ family as well. She says she is most proud of the way Travis has stepped up to provide leadership for the Foundation, and for his commitment and desire to give back in search for a cure. It means so much to her that after 15 years, so many people still care about Travis, and about finding a cure for spinal cord injuries. She most enjoys spending summers in Vermont with Travis, her daughter Tobi and her husband Keith, their four children, and a multitude of extended family.

As a Boston University freshman, Dan Ronan was recruited to play hockey for the Terriers. He was on the ice for the first time that season when Travis, his roommate, was injured. Over the past 15 years, Dan and Travis have remained close friends and in that time Dan is proud of the foundation’s exponential growth. He is amazed at how Travis’ story has transcended generations; children not yet born at the time of the accident read Travis’ book and take away from it Travis’ core values. Dan is also proud of the way TRF is run as all money raised goes back for grants for individuals with spinal cord injuries or spinal cord injury-related medical research. He believes TRF makes big differences in people’s lives.

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Lee Roy says he could not have imagined that the Travis Roy Foundation would be where it is today when the family started the organization 15 years ago. He is very grateful for the time and dedication that so many gave during the Foundation’s establishment, and to those who have continued to support the Foundation with their resources, time and talent. He says that the purpose of the Foundation has always been to raise money for spinal cord injury survivors and research for a cure, but he is amazed at the level of professionalism that the numerous volunteers have brought to the organization. His favorite TRF fundraising event is the WIFFLE ball tournament because he believes it encapsulates the spirit of the organization. Each year the participants are thrilled with the feeling of competition for a good cause.

Steve moved to Cleveland, Ohio from Boston in 1993. A former student at Milton Academy and Dartmouth College, he was familiar with Travis’ incredible ability as Travis competed against Steve’s younger brother in hockey. What started out as an innocent phone call wishing to make a donation to Travis, and a subsequent conversation with Travis’ Dad, Lee, at the rink in Yarmouth, ME; has evolved into a strong and meaningful relationship between Steve and his family; and the Roys, along with their Foundation. He most appreciates Travis’s humility, sense of purpose, politeness, honesty, courage and concern for others.

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