Events
Creating community for those in need.
One of the most devastating and long-lasting results of a spinal cord injury (SCI) is isolation—both for SCI individuals and their caregivers. As a result, those with SCIs and their support network often report dealing with depression. And it’s often difficult to find people going through the same challenges, who can relate to both the day-to-day struggles and the little triumphs along the way.
See our monthly events calendar below. You can also check out our private Facebook Groups, The Ryan Shazier Fund Family and The Ryan Shazier Fund Caregivers Portal where you can be part of an active community that strives to exchange ideas that lead to increased independence.
SCI Financial Playbook with Embree Financial 12PM Session
Take control of your financial future with The SCI Financial Playbook, a free virtual discussion hosted by the Ryan Shazier Fund in partnership with Embree Financial. Designed specifically for individuals and families in the spinal cord injury community, this conversation will cover practical approaches to budgeting, saving, investing, and planning for the future. Join us for an approachable, informative discussion designed to help you feel more confident and empowered when making financial decisions.
Choose from two virtual session options and attend the date that works best for you! Registration required!
SCI Financial Playbook with Embree Financial 7PM Session
Take control of your financial future with The SCI Financial Playbook, a free virtual discussion hosted by the Ryan Shazier Fund in partnership with Embree Financial. Designed specifically for individuals and families in the spinal cord injury community, this conversation will cover practical approaches to budgeting, saving, investing, and planning for the future. Join us for an approachable, informative discussion designed to help you feel more confident and empowered when making financial decisions.
Choose from two virtual session options and attend the date that works best for you! Registration required!
Adaptive Adventures - Trackchairs at Frick Park
Get outside with the Ryan Shazier Fund for an evening of adventure and community! We’re partnering with Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy to offer members of the spinal cord injury community the opportunity to try all-terrain Trackchairs and explore the trails of Frick Park in a whole new way. Enjoy the fresh air, connect with others, and experience accessible recreation with us—we can’t wait to see you there!
Snacks and drinks will be available at the park pavilion, where participants can relax and connect while others are out on the trails.
This event is free to anyone interested, although registration is required (use link below). Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy staff are unable to assist with transfers to and from Trackchairs, so please be sure to note in the form whether or not you will be bringing a support person to assist you with your transfer, or if you'll need someone from Ryan Shazier Fund staff to help. There is waiver that is required to be completed by anyone trying Trackchairs which will be sent to you upon completing the registration form.
Empowered Esports & RSF Celebrate 1 Year!
Join us as we celebrate the 1-Year Anniversary of Empowered Esports with a special NFL-themed Adaptive Gaming Event in honor of the start of football season! Kick off the afternoon with open gaming on all of our consoles, including PS5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox, and more.
Over the past year, Empowered Esports has brought together gamers of all abilities to build friendships, learn about adaptive gaming, and enjoy the power of inclusive play. Whether you've been with us since the beginning or this is your first event, we'd love for you to join the celebration!
Woodlands Family Retreat Weekend
Join us for our annual fall SCI Family Retreat at the Woodlands! Activities, meals, support groups and fun for the whole family. Click the link below for your chance to join us October 16-18.
Celebrate Shalieve
The Spirit of Shalieve is contagious. Join us as we shine a light on the strength, resilience, and community that define the journey of spinal cord injury (SCI) recovery.
Join us on January, 21, 2027 at The Maverick Pittsburgh as we celebrate our SCI Community and honor:
Marshall Lee Tempest - Shalieve Award
Julie Gallegher - Lion's Pride Award
Gregg Huber - Kassling Family Leadership Award
Tickets available soon. Email Thomas Trowell for sponsorship opportunities.
Run for the Black & Gold
Run for the Black & Gold
Friday, April 30, 2027
Acrisure Stadium
Fresh new look. Same incredible impact.
Columbus Family Picnic
Join us in Columbus, OH for an SCI Family Picnic on Sunday, September 13! Connect with others in the SCI community and learn about local resources and other adaptive recreational activities. For questions, email or call Peter Nowell - pnowell264@gmail.com or 614-408-0085.
SCI Day at the Columbus Zoo
Join the Ryan Shazier Fund for a day at the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium on Saturday, September 12 at 12:00pm!
We're excited to offer this opportunity for members of the SCI community to spend the day exploring one of the nation's premier zoos, connecting with others, and creating lasting memories together. Because space is limited, completing the Interest Form does not guarantee participation. After reviewing all submissions, selected participants will be contacted by a staff member with additional event details and next steps. We look forward to hearing from you — and hope you'll join us for a wild day of adventure!
Tickets must be picked up in person. Our group will gather at the front entrance of the Zoo between 12:45 and 1:00, and we then we will all enter together.
Priority may be given to individuals based on factors such as first-time participants, event capacity, and overall program considerations.
Adaptive Boating/ Fishing in Erie
Enjoy a relaxing, fun, accessible day of boating and fishing in Erie, PA!
In partnership with At the Lake Ministries, we’re excited to offer a safe, comfortable, wheelchair-accessible boating experience for members of the SCI community. Registration required. Cost is $20 per person. Visit atthelakeministries.org to learn more about the Jo-Ann M, the 53' long accessible vessel!
Spots are Limited and will be filled on a first-come-first-served basis.
Riverhounds Soccer Community Heroes Night
Join the Ryan Shazier Fund for a night of Pittsburgh Riverhounds soccer, community, and fun! We're honored to be recognized for the Riverhounds' Community Heroes Night, and we'd love to fill the stands with our supporters! Bring your friends and family, cheer on the home team, and help support our mission—all with one ticket. A portion of every ticket purchased through our link helps provide life-changing resources for individuals living with spinal cord injuries.
The game starts at 5pm on Saturday, August 29 at F.N.B Stadium (510 W Station Square Dr, Pittsburgh, PA 15219).
Purchase your ticket below! If you are in need of ADA seating, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds ask that you purchase a regular ticket and contact the Riverhounds team to swap for accessible seating. Email dkovaly@riverhounds-sportsgroup.com.
Steelers Preseason with the Fund- SOLD OUT
Steelers fans, this one's for you! Thanks to the generosity of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Ryan Shazier Fund is going to the Steelers vs. Green Bay Packers preseason game on Thursday, August 13 — and you're invited!
Tickets will be distributed on a first come, first served basis, with priority given to those with SCI. Each selected party will receive two tickets.
Interested in joining? Complete the interest form linked below to request your tickets. Please note that submitting the form does not guarantee tickets, as availability is limited. A staff member will be in touch after your form is submitted.
We can't wait to cheer on the Black & Gold with members of our SCI community! 🖤💛
Baseball for All at Washington Wild Things Game!
Join the Fund for “Baseball for All” as the Washington Wild Things take on Evansville. Purchase your discounted tickets using our link.
RSF x United Spinal PGH Summer Picnic
Join the Fund and United Spinal for a summer picnic. Registration is required. Sign-up form coming soon!
Pirates Disability Pride Game
Be part of the celebration as we cheer on the Pittsburgh Pirates when they face the Milwaukee Brewers at 12:35pm on July 12th. A portion of each ticket purchased through our link will directly support the Fund. Use our link to purchase your discounted tickets and show your Disability Pride!
Adaptive Adventures - Trackchairs at Frick Park
Get outside with the Ryan Shazier Fund for an evening of adventure and community! We’re partnering with Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy to offer members of the spinal cord injury community the opportunity to try all-terrain Trackchairs and explore the trails of Frick Park in a whole new way. Enjoy the fresh air, connect with others, and experience accessible recreation with us—we can’t wait to see you there!
Snacks and drinks will be available at the park pavilion, where participants can relax and connect while others are out on the trails.
This event is free to anyone interested, although registration is required (use link below). Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy staff are unable to assist with transfers to and from Trackchairs, so please be sure to note in the form whether or not you will be bringing a support person to assist you with your transfer, or if you'll need someone from Ryan Shazier Fund staff to help. There is waiver that is required to be completed by anyone trying Trackchairs which will be sent to you upon completing the registration form.
Adaptive Adventures - Trackchairs at Frick Park
Get outside with the Ryan Shazier Fund for an evening of adventure and community! We’re partnering with Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy to offer members of the spinal cord injury community the opportunity to try all-terrain Trackchairs and explore the trails of Frick Park in a whole new way. Enjoy the fresh air, connect with others, and experience accessible recreation with us—we can’t wait to see you there!
Snacks and drinks will be available at the park pavilion, where participants can relax and connect while others are out on the trails.
This event is free to anyone interested, although registration is required (use link below). Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy staff are unable to assist with transfers to and from Trackchairs, so please be sure to note in the form whether or not you will be bringing a support person to assist you with your transfer, or if you'll need someone from Ryan Shazier Fund staff to help. There is waiver that is required to be completed by anyone trying Trackchairs which will be sent to you upon completing the registration form.
Ice Cream Fundraiser
Special Appearance from Ryan! 25% of all sales from 1-4 PM will benefit the Fund.
Disability Pride Philadelphia
Parade kicks off at City Hall on the north apron at 11:30 am. Festivities kick off at 12 pm.
Run for the Black and Gold
Our signature fundraising event takes place on May 15, 2026, at Acrisure Stadium. Our celebrity jockeys and “horses” are in training for what has been traditionally ranked as one of Pittsburgh’s best parties. The mock horse racing event (think of the Kentucky Derby with a Steel City flair) features a roster of current and former Steelers and other Pittsburgh icons! You’ll also enjoy great food, music, a live auction, and the chance to bet on the celebrity race (last year’s winners split a pot of more than $100,000).
SCI Funfest
Join us at the Woodlands for our second SCI Funfest, August 26. Enjoy fun crafts, including creating tie-dyed shirts. Get a free family portrait from a professional photographer. There will also be karaoke with Sing Sing Sing. And enjoy pizza compliments of Caliente Pizza & Drafthouse. The Funfest promises to be a exciting day out for the entire family.
Event Schedule:
1-1:30– Kickoff with The Pine Richland Marching Band- The Quad
1:30-3:30pm– Adaptive Golf with North Hills Golf Academy- Golf Course
2-4pm– Karaoke and Performances from Sing Sing Sing- Lambert Family Amphitheater
1-4pm– Professional Portraits with Amy from Believe, Create, Inspire- Next to Amphitheater
1-4pm– Activities, Crafts, and Games- The Quad
• Wax hands, Caricature drawings, and Tie-Dye T-shirts- Ryan Shazier Fund
• Wheelchair Obstacle Course- United Spinal PGH
• Wiffle Ball Toss- MobilityWorks
• Outdoor Technologies- HERL
• Trivia- Rebuild Better Together
• Bracelet Making- Empowering Hope
• Wheelchair Pong- UPMC Rehabilitation Institute
• Handcycles and Lawn Games- The Woodlands
• Lollipop Tree- Achieva Family Trust
• Puck Toss – Mighty Penguins
• Wheelchair Basketball- Hope Network (on the basketball court)
• Trivia- NextSteps PGH
1-4pm– Caliente Pizza and Graeter’s Ice Cream (Until it is gone!)- The Cafeteria
RSF Pirates Game
Join us at the Pirates game on July 16th! Tickets are free but we've only got a certain amount so sign up now! Click the link to register.
The Ryan Shazier Fund recognizes the importance of community building. We strive to hold events throughout the year that are not only informative but also fun.
— Ryan Shazier