Hall of Fame Drag Racer Gwynn Comes Home to unite with Marc Buoniconti
February 2015 – Nearing the 25th anniversary of both his last National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) win and the accident that left him paralyzed, Hall of Fame Drag Racer Darrell Gwynn announced today that he will begin a new chapter in his journey to support those living with paralysis. Gwynn will officially become the Director of The Darrell Gwynn Quality of Life Chapter of The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis. The Buoniconti Fund is the fundraising arm of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, the world’s most comprehensive spinal cord injury research center, located at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
“I am happy to ‘come home’ to The Buoniconti Fund and join Nick and Marc Buoniconti as they work to better the lives of those suffering from paralysis. As a racer, I believed in the cause and have supported them in their efforts for more than 25 years. After my accident we continued to help and now I am thrilled to be side by side with the Buonicontis,” said Gwynn.
As a world champion racer in the 80’s, Gwynn was at the top of his game and chose to donate a portion of his winnings to The Miami Project and continued after his accident. He felt so strongly about Marc Buoniconti’s struggle to find a cure for paralysis, and the plight of those suffering from paralyzing spinal cord injuries, that he personally placed the iconic Miami Project wheelchair logo in a prime location on his race car to show his support.
“Darrell has been a true champion in all aspects of his life,” said Marc Buoniconti, President of The Buoniconti Fund and The Miami Project. “His foundation has touched thousands of lives and we are thrilled to have him truly come home to the Buoniconti Fund family. We will continue to do great things as we strive toward our mutual goals of helping better the lives of those living with paralysis and ultimately finding a cure.”
Sixteen years ago, Darrell and his wife Lisa were direct beneficiaries of some of the Miami Project’s miraculous research advances when they gave birth to their daughter Katie through The Miami Project’s research program that helps paralyzed men achieve fatherhood. This 13 year relationship has blossomed through the Darrell Gwynn Foundation’s Patient Assistance Fund, including yearly donations in support of many of the scientific efforts at The Miami Project.
Since its inception in 2002, the Darrell Gwynn Foundation has provided support for people with paralysis and worked to prevent spinal cord injuries through their Wheelchair Donation Program and Education & Prevention Program. He will continue to achieve these goals through his work with The Darrell Gwynn Quality of Life Chapter of The Buoniconti Fund, under the umbrella of The Miami Project’s fundraising arm.