SpinalCure Australia

04/06/2026

Every day, more than 21,000 Australians living with a spinal cord injury face challenges most of us can barely imagine. Yet today, there are still no cures or restorative treatments available in Australia.

We are at a critical turning point in spinal cord injury research. For the first time, Australia has a clear, coordinated plan to accelerate progress toward a cure.

Over the past 18 months, SpinalCure has spearheaded a national collaborative effort involving researchers, clinicians, partner organisations, government and people living with spinal cord injury to develop Australia’s first Roadmap Toward a Cure for Spinal Cord Injury.

The Roadmap identifies actions across four pillars of impact:
🔹 Research
🔹 Collaboration
🔹 Education & Translation
🔹 Commercialisation

Together, these priorities will strengthen Australia’s cure-focused scientific capacity, accelerate patient outcomes and help turn promising discoveries into real-world treatments.

This tax time, we are asking our supporters to help fund initiatives identified in the Roadmap and advance life-changing research.

The countdown to a cure for spinal cord injury has begun.

We invite you to join us on this journey, visit: https://countdowntoacure.raiselysite.com

29/05/2026

A wonderful way to begin Queensland Philanthropy Week 2026!

This week, our CEO Kathryn Borkovic joined an inspiring group of women leaders from across Queensland’s NFP sector for Queensland Gives annual Active Women Executives Philanthropy Week CEO Yoga Event, hosted at Deloitte Brisbane.

The morning created a valuable opportunity for leaders across the sector to pause, reconnect and prioritise wellbeing through movement, conversation and connection.

What stood out most was the shared passion in the room. Women leading organisations working every day to address some of Queensland’s most pressing challenges, from health and education to social inclusion, homelessness, community wellbeing and environmental conservation.

is a powerful reminder that philanthropy takes many forms, including the contribution of time, expertise, advocacy, collaboration and community spirit — all helping to create lasting positive impact. 💛

26/05/2026

Post re-share from our CEO, Kathryn Borkovic. 💫

Last week we were proud to host SpinalCure Australia's second Cure Summit - made possible thanks to funding from NSW Health.

The depth of knowledge, dedication and passion in that room was energising. Researchers who are working every day on the science that will one day change lives - connecting, sharing and pushing each other's thinking forward.

As CEO, I had the privilege of presenting on the progress of Australia's Roadmap Toward a Cure for Spinal Cord Injury and together we consolidated our thinking on the key priorities that will help drive that work forward.

A cure for spinal cord injury is not a distant dream. It is a goal we are actively, collectively, relentlessly working toward.

A special thank you to Evans & Partners for generously providing their boardroom for the day, to NSW Health for backing this work, and to every researcher who gave their time.

Spinal Cord Injury Research Collaborative | The CatWalk Trust | The University of Queensland | University of Sydney | Kolling Institute| UNSW| Griffith University

22/05/2026

This week, we brought together leading voices in spinal cord injury (SCI) research for a truly special evening of connection, conversation and discovery at Sip & Science.

Showcasing the latest in cure-focused SCI research supported by SpinalCure, the evening highlighted the strength of our Sydney-based community, united by curiosity, momentum and optimism for the future, as attendees heard from:

✨ Professor Jane Butler, who shared insights into the future of neurostimulation and findings from the eWALK clinical trial — the world’s most rigorously controlled study of transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation.

✨ Dr Ramon Martinez-Marmol, who explored how tiny nematode worms capable of repairing their own neurons could unlock future breakthroughs in SCI research, offering a fascinating glimpse into the promise of regenerative science.

✨ Dr Laura Grice, who posed an exciting question: what if a treatment for spinal cord injury already exists? Her presentation explored the potential for repurposing existing drugs to create faster, more accessible treatments for people living with SCI.

We were also proud to share plans for Australia’s first National Roadmap Toward a Cure for Spinal Cord Injury — a landmark initiative designed to accelerate discovery, strengthen collaboration and improve outcomes for people living with SCI.

A special thank you to KPMG Australia for generously hosting Sip & Science at their Barangaroo office and for supporting an evening defined by innovation and shared purpose.

The CatWalk Trust | Spinal Cord Injury Research Collaborative | RoboFit | Spinal Cord Injuries Australia | Royal Rehab Group | I fight you fight | Ride with Richter | NeuroMoves

21/05/2026

💡 Today, leading researchers funded by SpinalCure Australia and others in the spinal cord injury (SCI) sector gathered in Sydney for the Spinal Cord Injury Cure Summit 2026 to detail transformative research and clinical advances in SCI treatment, rehabilitation and recovery.

Hosted by SpinalCure Australia and funded by NSW Health, the two-day Summit is bringing together researchers to foster collaboration and address key challenges facing the field.

For decades, spinal cord injury has been considered permanent. Today, growing evidence across multiple research streams is changing what’s possible and strengthening optimism for the future.✨

With 21,000 Australians currently living with spinal cord injury, the need for innovation and investment has never been greater. Over the next two days, experts from across Australia and New Zealand will explore emerging opportunities to improve outcomes for people living with SCI.

The Cure Summit is one initiative outlined in SpinalCure Australia’s inaugural Roadmap Toward a Cure for Spinal Cord Injury, to be released later this year. Developed in collaboration with stakeholders across the country, the Roadmap identifies critical actions needed to accelerate progress toward a cure and ensure life-improving advances reach people living with spinal cord injury as quickly as possible.

We’re proud to bring together the brilliant researchers, passionate advocates and courageous lived-experience leaders helping drive this movement forward.

15/05/2026

We love sharing stories from our incredible SCI community, celebrating the people driving change, challenging perceptions and achieving extraordinary things. 🫶

A huge congratulations to SpinalCure ambassador Dean Martelozzo and the team at Headlands Distilling on their latest international recognition, including six gold medals at the 2026 London Spirits Competition and being named runner-up for Best Australian Single Malt Whisky at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition for their world-first Illawarra Plum cask whisky. 🥃

Dean is not only an accomplished entrepreneur and advocate, but also an incredibly generous supporter of the SCI community — always willing to lend his time, champion new initiatives, raise awareness and bring people together in support of spinal cord injury research.

His story is one of resilience, innovation and determination, and we’re proud to have him as part of the SpinalCure family.

Congratulations again Dean and the entire Headlands team on this well-deserved recognition.

Headlands Distilling Co has garnered another international award for a unique whisky - a drink as interesting as the company's background

13/05/2026

👉 Big news from last night’s Federal Budget.

The Government has committed to releasing an additional $508 million from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), increasing annual disbursements from $650 million to $1 billion by 2030.

This is a significant step forward for Australian medical research. With this increased investment, we hope to see spinal cord injury research elevated to the same level of national priority as conditions such as traumatic brain injury and diabetes.

Kathryn Borkovic, CEO of SpinalCure Australia, commented:
“This is an important moment for Australian medical research, and a real opportunity for spinal cord injury cure research to secure a meaningful share of that investment. SpinalCure will be working hard to make sure SCI is at the table. Watch this space.”

We look forward to discussing this recent progress at our Spinal Cord Injury Cure Summit in Sydney next week.

🔗 Read more: https://researchaustralia.org/government-to-distribute-full-1-billion-from-the-medical-research-future-fund/

Research Australia

11/05/2026

🌟 Applications are now open for the Dr Jennifer Fitzgerald Research Grant 🌟

This wonderful initiative enables researchers with disability to lead important work that improves the lives of people with disability.

Up to $30,000 is available for a 1–2 year research project aligned with Scope’s priority areas. The grant may be used to fund new research or contribute to existing projects where there is a funding gap.

The grant honours the legacy of Dr Jennifer Fitzgerald AM, former CEO of Scope, who was a strong advocate for people with disability and their families, and a champion of research and evidence-based practice.

If you’re an early-career researcher (PhD completed within the last five years, excluding career breaks) and working at an Australian university or community organisation, we encourage you to apply.

📅 Applications close Friday 12 June 2026.

Supporting research conducted by people with disability for people with disability is an important part of our work.

06/05/2026

🌍🏃‍♀️ TOGETHER WE RUN, ROLL AND WALK FOR THOSE WHO CAN’T

This weekend, the Wings for Life World Run returns on 10 May 2026, bringing together thousands of runners, walkers and rollers across the globe, all united by one powerful goal: to find a cure for spinal cord injury.

At SpinalCure, we’re proud to align with Wings for Life to support world-class, cure-focused research, because research gives hope. We’re also proud to see our ambassador Sam Bloom, Ride with Richter and Alex Noble (I fight you fight) taking part once again—continuing to inspire others and advocate for progress in this space.

📍 Sydney participants can join in at 9:00pm via the app and run side by side with friends and the global community.

Good luck to everyone participating, your support is helping drive meaningful progress towards a cure. 💪