"Christopher Reeve was an instrumental figure in the establishment of the spinal cord injury trust fund. Despite his tragedy, he worked diligently to raise funds for research in hopes of finding a cure. Renaming the fund and board is an appropriate way to honor his tireless commitment to this cause," Bradley said.

The spinal cord injury research trust fund and the spinal cord injury research board, which dispenses the trust fund’s proceeds, were established in 1998 to help fund medical research for spinal cord injury treatment and cure. The fund has been extremely successful in making advances in the field of spinal cord injury research, and has also helped influence significant private donations by increasing awareness for the cause.

After suffering a spinal cord injury himself, Christopher Reeve used his celebrity to help create both the fund and the board. Throughout his life, he inspired many, proving that you can make an incredible difference in society despite a debilitating injury, and Bradley’s measure honors his efforts.

The fund currently relies on an annual allocation in the state budget from traffic infraction surcharges as its funding source. By allowing donations through personal income tax returns, thousands of New Yorkers have an opportunity to support spinal cord injury research, Bradley said.

"Christopher Reeve lent his name to the extremely successful New Jersey American Paralysis Association, now called the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. But he was born in New York City, attended New York schools, and performed on and off Broadway," Bradley said. "The name Christopher Reeve has become almost synonymous with this cause. Renaming the fund he was so vocal in organizing is a fitting tribute to Reeve’s unwavering belief that a cure for spinal paralysis will be found."