Spirit of the Pack is a 501(c)(3) organization inspired by Kate Strickland, an avid cyclist, with a mission to assist individuals living with spinal cord injury, their families, and organizations that support them through financial grants and connection to resources to improve quality of life. All board members are volunteers and any funds raised go directly toward financial grants.

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​Kate’s Story

On October 1, 2013, Kate's freshman year at The University of Texas at Austin came to a crashing halt, quite literally. Only six weeks into her university education, Kate was struck by a car during a morning training ride, breaking her neck and severely damaging her spinal cord. Left quadriplegic from the accident, she replaced new friends, classes, and student organizations with cervical surgeries, extensive hospital stays, and endless physical and occupational therapy. 

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Kate returned to UT in August 2014, just a few months after a second surgery, to continue her academic studies in Plan II (a challenging interdisciplinary honors program) and Government.  While returning to school certainly posed many challenges--finding appropriate caregivers, accessible housing and academic accommodations--Kate graduated in May 2019 with High Honors. ​She is currently pursuing her law degree. 

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Kate’s Ride is the biggest fundraiser of Spirit of the Pack. Kate is and has been very grateful to the individuals and businesses that have contributed to putting Kate’s Ride on as well as donating funds on her behalf. After the success of the first couple of rides, the most important point Kate insisted on was using the money to help others with spinal cord injury as well. 

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​There are many others besides Kate living with spinal cord injuries and Spirit of the Pack works to support those individuals, their families and organizations that support them in meeting their daily needs and searching for a cure. Donations made to Spirit of the Pack will be used to support individuals living with spinal cord injuries, their families and organizations that help them. Visit our Assistance Stories page to see some of the ways funds raised from Kate’s Ride are being put to good use.