January 21, 2004, ST. LOUIS -- In a show of support for groundbreaking research in treating spinal cord injuries, the Eric Westacott Foundation has presented a gift of $22,000 to the Barnes-Jewish Hospital Foundation.

"We are very grateful for this generous gift. It is particularly meaningful coming from someone who knows first-hand what the consequences of spinal cord injury are," said W. Frank Elston, vice president of the Barnes-Jewish Hospital Foundation.

Westacott, a quadriplegic, was injured 10 years ago in a softball game during his senior year of college. Now a practicing attorney in St. Louis, he started the Eric Westacott Foundation solely for the purpose of funding spinal cord injury research. Westacott particularly admires the research of John McDonald, MD, PhD, director of Washington University School of Medicine''s spinal cord injury program at the Rehabilitation Institute of St. Louis, who is on staff at Barnes-Jewish Hospital.

McDonald, probably best known for contributing to unprecedented progress in actor Christopher Reeve''s recovery, has helped countless others with spinal cord injuries by offering hope and breakthrough treatment.

"The groundbreaking research that Dr. McDonald uses such innovative concepts that can be applied across the board to other people with injuries beyond spinal cord injuries," says Westacott. "His unique approach to spinal cord research compelled me to help him."

Contributions to the Eric Westacott Foundation can be sent to: 510 Wetherby Terrace Drive Ballwin, MO 63021-4443. To make a donation to the Spinal Cord Injury Research Fund at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, contact the Barnes-Jewish Hospital Foundation at 314-286-0600.