Post by Madsengirl on Oct 11, 2004 18:09:54 GMT -5
NEW YORK (Reuters) - "Superman" actor Christopher Reeve, who became a leading advocate for spinal cord research after a horseback riding accident left him paralyzed nine years ago, has died of heart failure, his publicist said on Monday. He was 52.
Reeve died on Sunday in Northern Westchester Hospital in Mt. Kisco, New York, after a heart attack at his Pound Ridge, New York, home on Saturday during treatment for an infected bedsore wound. He fell into a coma and never regained consciousness, according to his publicist, Wesley Combs.
Reeve's wife, Dana, issued a statement thanking "the millions of fans around the world who have supported and loved my husband over the years."
Confined to a wheelchair since his 1995 accident, Reeve used his celebrity to rally support for research on treatment of spinal cord injuries, including stem cell research, which has become an issue in the U.S. presidential election.
Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry (news - web sites), who referred to Reeve in Friday's debate with President Bush (news - web sites) as a friend and ally in promoting stem cell research, said the actor "was truly America's hero."
"He was an inspiration to all of us and gave hope to millions of Americans who are counting on the life-saving cures that science and research can provide," the Massachusetts senator said in a statement.
Bush said he and his wife, Laura, were saddened by Reeve's death and sent prayers and condolences to his family and friends. "He will be remembered as an accomplished actor and for his dedicated advocacy for those with physical disabilities," the president said in a statement.
Reeve's family asked that donations be made in his honor to the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation.
An accomplished rider, Reeve suffered multiple injuries, including two shattered neck vertebrae, when he was thrown from his horse at an equestrian event in Commonwealth Park in Virginia.
Doctors initially predicted he would never regain feeling or movement below his head. But his foundation's Web site, www.ChristopherReeve.org, said he had experienced a degree of recovery that his doctors considered "remarkable."
'CURE AND HOPE'
"We're devastated by Christopher Reeve's death," said Connie Michalik, who serves on the board of Reeve's foundation and whose son has been a paraplegic since he was shot during the 1999 Columbine High School massacre in Colorado.
"It's a huge loss to families of victims of spinal cord injures because he's done so much to raise awareness and funding for paralysis research," she said.
Dr. Wise Young of Rutgers University, who studies spinal injuries and treated Reeve, said, "More than anything else he taught me the use of two four letter words -- cure and hope."
Young noted on NBC's "Today" show that the actor had been following the progress of congressional legislation, dubbed the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Act, seeking $300 million for spinal cord research. "We will have a cure, I think that will be Christopher's legacy," he said.
Reeve died on Sunday in Northern Westchester Hospital in Mt. Kisco, New York, after a heart attack at his Pound Ridge, New York, home on Saturday during treatment for an infected bedsore wound. He fell into a coma and never regained consciousness, according to his publicist, Wesley Combs.
Reeve's wife, Dana, issued a statement thanking "the millions of fans around the world who have supported and loved my husband over the years."
Confined to a wheelchair since his 1995 accident, Reeve used his celebrity to rally support for research on treatment of spinal cord injuries, including stem cell research, which has become an issue in the U.S. presidential election.
Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry (news - web sites), who referred to Reeve in Friday's debate with President Bush (news - web sites) as a friend and ally in promoting stem cell research, said the actor "was truly America's hero."
"He was an inspiration to all of us and gave hope to millions of Americans who are counting on the life-saving cures that science and research can provide," the Massachusetts senator said in a statement.
Bush said he and his wife, Laura, were saddened by Reeve's death and sent prayers and condolences to his family and friends. "He will be remembered as an accomplished actor and for his dedicated advocacy for those with physical disabilities," the president said in a statement.
Reeve's family asked that donations be made in his honor to the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation.
An accomplished rider, Reeve suffered multiple injuries, including two shattered neck vertebrae, when he was thrown from his horse at an equestrian event in Commonwealth Park in Virginia.
Doctors initially predicted he would never regain feeling or movement below his head. But his foundation's Web site, www.ChristopherReeve.org, said he had experienced a degree of recovery that his doctors considered "remarkable."
'CURE AND HOPE'
"We're devastated by Christopher Reeve's death," said Connie Michalik, who serves on the board of Reeve's foundation and whose son has been a paraplegic since he was shot during the 1999 Columbine High School massacre in Colorado.
"It's a huge loss to families of victims of spinal cord injures because he's done so much to raise awareness and funding for paralysis research," she said.
Dr. Wise Young of Rutgers University, who studies spinal injuries and treated Reeve, said, "More than anything else he taught me the use of two four letter words -- cure and hope."
Young noted on NBC's "Today" show that the actor had been following the progress of congressional legislation, dubbed the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Act, seeking $300 million for spinal cord research. "We will have a cure, I think that will be Christopher's legacy," he said.