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Desatnick_Foundation

@desatnick_foundation

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501(c)3 Charity aimed to offer emotional & financial support to those living with paralysis & spinal cord injury (SCI)

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This fall marks 25 years since the day that changed my life. It feels like the right time to finally sit down and tell the whole story.

On September 30, 2001, Hurricane Humberto was sending swell to Cape May. I was 24, surfing at Poverty Beach. On my fourth wave, I was thrown head-first into shallow water and shattered my C6 and C7 vertebrae. After an 11½-hour surgery, doctors told me I might never walk again, and that I would never surf again.

A lot has happened since then:

• Worked with Cape May City Council to create a beach safety program for local students and put shore break warning signs at every beach entrance

• Brought Life Rolls On’s They Will Surf Again to New Jersey. It grew from 12 adaptive surfers to around 100, with 500+ volunteers every summer @liferollsonfoundation

• Helped organize the first Cape May Golf Tournament, which raised over $250,000 for Life Rolls On

• Founded the DeSatnick Foundation in 2013 to support people living with paralysis in South and Central Jersey @desatnick_foundation

• 12 years of the Around the Cape Paddle, our biggest annual fundraiser

• Grants for power wheelchairs, home lifts, vehicle modifications and therapy, plus beach wheelchairs for 10 shore towns from Cape May to Ocean Grove

• Named Life Rolls On Volunteer of the Year in 2015

None of this would have been possible without my wife, Martina. She’s my saving grace.
I’ve told parts of this story over the years.

This time, I’m telling all of it. The interview is coming soon. taken in Cape May, New Jersey by @desatnick_foundation

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7 days ago

Around The Cape 2027, Sunday June 27…are you in ? Registration opens in early September. Commit early. Get your hands on some @florence_marine_x gear & help raise funds for those living with Spinal Cord Injury.
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🎥- @droneone_aerial_technology by @desatnick_foundation

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2 months ago

Just a couple of shots from a record setting day at Baker Avenue. The Most waves caught. The Most smiles ever. The Most stoked volunteers & participants.
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@stamponelaw @desatnick_real_estate @wildwood_beach_patrol @delmoeliteevents @gc_clayton @sunbum @jeffersonhealtheinstein @mossmageerehab @bluewavetheory @johnnywildwood @thumbsup4kindness @liferollsonfoundation @jessebillauer @tylerhunter18 @andy.giordano.31 @jimmywho22 @mryanpet @b__murphy @mxcrwly @curl8ture @mare_curls @markadegenova @betteroffed_boe_official @braad555 @48simone @cellucci.dan @surfingsasquatchco @makki_films @bengravyy
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📷 - @stretch922_____tormollanphotos @forseabrand by @desatnick_foundation

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2 months ago

Beach patron in Upper Twp @upperbeachpatrol utilizing the donated chair. The smiles are radiating beyond just the beach & oceans edge. Thanks for every one who has donated to our non profit to make beach access for those in need. taken in Strathmere, New Jersey by @desatnick_foundation

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2 months ago

Hundreds of hands, one wave at a time 🤙

On Sunday, Baker Avenue Beach in Wildwood became something bigger than a beach: over 100 athletes and more than 700 volunteers came together for They Will Surf Again — and every ride ended in cheers you could hear down the boardwalk. First-time surfers, veterans of the program, a standing ride, one very good dog, and more joy per square foot of sand than I’ve ever photographed.

Thank you @liferollsonfoundation @jessebillauer @desatnick_foundation the huge crew from @mossmageerehab and every volunteer who stood in the whitewater all day making these rides happen. And to the athletes: you’re the whole story. 💙

🎥 Video: @kadimariephoto
🎵 “Life Rolls On” — @slightlystoopid

#LifeRollsOn #TheyWillSurfAgain #AdaptiveSurfing #WildwoodNJ #JerseyShore taken in Wildwood, New Jersey by @desatnick_foundation

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2 months ago

These young men stepped up to the plate & smashed a grand slam. There’s a clear hope as the next generation is willing & able to pay it forward. If you missed @liferollsonfoundation They Will Surf Again, you have a chance next year to witness what’s possible after Spinal Cord Injury. by @desatnick_foundation

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2 months ago

Life Rolls On this morning on Baker Ave was a huge success! Over 100 surfers with spinal cord injuries and other disabilities entered the water today with the help of volunteers. Thank you to Life Rolls On, the Desatnick Foundation, Jefferson Health, and all the volunteers and participants who made today great! ❤️🏄‍♀️🏄‍♂️ taken in Wildwood, New Jersey by @desatnick_foundation

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2 months ago

Things that matter….
#liferollson #desatnickrealestate by @desatnick_foundation

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3 months ago

Happy 250th America 🇺🇸 by @desatnick_foundation

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3 months ago

2026 Around the Cape Paddle presented by @stamponelaw combined fundraising & sponsorships have exceeded $55,000 !!!

Thank you to everyone who participated, volunteered, donated to make this a reality. See y’all next year, SUNDAY JUNE 27, 2027 @slacktidebeer @desatnick_real_estate @spilker_funeral_home @jbyrneinsurance @lundsfish @mayerstavern @desatnickswindowfashions @luckybones_capemay #seashorefood
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@droneone_aerial_technology - 🎥
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All Star Safety Award goes to @seatowcapemay for holding the Cold Spring Inlet on vessel safety lockdown for all of our participants! 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 by @desatnick_foundation

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4 months ago

This weekend, the @desatnick_foundation Paddle Around the Cape raised funds and awareness to support individuals living with spinal cord injuries.

Because of the DeSatnick Foundation’s support, the True Grit SCI Program is able to provide life-changing opportunities for teens and young adults.

To everyone who paddled, donated, volunteered, and cheered from the shore—thank you. Your support helps make programs like True Grit possible.

To learn more about the DeSatnick Foundation and the spinal cord injury grants they provide, visit DeSatnickFoundation.org by @desatnick_foundation

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4 months ago

Pre race for “Around the Cape”. A great event for a great cause! taken in Cape May, New Jersey by @desatnick_foundation

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4 months ago