Lara feels she owes a special debt of gratitiude to Dr. Charles Tator for the role he played in her case. Not only has Dr. Tator been there to explain what was happening to Lara and her family, he also served as a valuable voice of experience. Dr. Tator has truly helped Lara on the road to recovery as she tries to regain the life she had before the accident.

As a gesture of appreciation, Lara would like fundraising efforts in her name directed towards Dr. Tator’s Brain and Spinal Cord Regeneration Research at the Krembil Neuroscience Centre, Toronto Western Hospital. This research is dedicated to restoring lost function after major neurological conditions such as trauma, stroke and multiple sclerosis. Dr. Tator and his colleagues are at the forefront of using stem cells for restoring damaged tissue in these conditions. Hopefully, with further research, people like Lara will have a speedier recovery and restoration of lost function.

In Lara’s case, she has fought back bravely and is rapidly restoring some of the lost function. In other tragic cases, this can be a lifetime loss. That is what Dr. Tator's Brain and Spinal Cord Regeneration Research is trying to change. That is why Lara supports this research so passionately.

Mark Weisbarth, Lara’s cousin, is embarking on a journey to jumpstart fundraising for this important cause. For 50 days this summer Mark will be riding his bicycle from coast to coast to raise awareness and funds for Brain and Spinal Cord Regeneration Research. Mark and his wife Susan, who were also skiing at Alpine Ski Club the day Lara was injured, hope this initiative will inspire Lara to make a full recovery – while raising funds for such a worthwhile cause.

You can follow Mark as he crosses the country from June 21 to August 9 by viewing the Where's Mark page and reading Mark’s Blog.