February 2026
Dear Friends,
Once again, I am grateful for the opportunity to reflect on the impact your generosity has made possible at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25). I’m reminded that your support is not only an investment in our hospital — it’s an investment in people. It’s an investment in patients and families during some of the most challenging moments of their lives — and in the dreams they hold for the future. Insurance may cover the therapies that restore movement, speech and function. But it is your philanthropy that opens the door to something even deeper: hope, purpose, belonging, confidence. Through adaptive sports, spiritual care, therapeutic recreation, vocational rehabilitation and so many other programs that insurance typically doesn’t cover, you give patients the chance to explore their potential, embrace their courage and discover the greatness within themselves. You made it possible for Mitch (pictured here and on the cover) to do exactly that. A former firefighter, Mitch sustained a spinal cord injury after a diving accident and became paralyzed from the chest down. While physical medicine and rehabilitation care were essential for Mitch, it was donor-funded quality-of-life programs that helped reshape his future. Mitch threw himself into adaptive sports — first as an inpatient and now as a member of our adaptive rugby team. He even served as team captain for a season. Competing on the team has revealed strengths he’d always had but never fully recognized. His wife, Sarah, says she has watched him grow as a person, a leader and a partner. Together, they have built a full, vibrant life — celebrating milestones like their wedding and, recently, the birth of their daughter. In the pages ahead, you’ll find more stories of courage and healing — of patients who have reclaimed their lives, rediscovered their passions and reconnected with the world around them. Thank you for making it all possible.
With appreciation for your partnership,
Karen Paciero Chief Advancement Officer President, Keystone Board
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