Suspension of the 2019-2020 VCU-Marquette Challenge

Dear Participants of the Marquette Challenge,

This is a time truly unlike any other. The COVID-19 crisis has created extreme challenges for all of us in the physical therapy community.  Regrettably, we must suspend our annual student fundraiser, the 2019-2020 VCU-Marquette Challenge. With the cancellation of the APTA NEXT conference, the Foundation Awards Luncheon is also cancelled.

Due to the suspension of the Challenge the FPTR will announce no winners or prizes.  However, all donations received for the 2019-2020 Challenge by the May 31 deadline will be counted toward school totals for the 2020-2021 VCU-Marquette Challenge.  We greatly appreciate all of the funds raised to date. 

We are deeply saddened to have to make this decision, because you – our students and faculty – have been our staunch supporters for more than 30 years. Funds raised through the Challenge represent nearly a third of our annual fundraising efforts. We’re so thankful for your commitment to supporting physical therapy research.

Our sincere hope is to launch this effort for the 2020-2021 academic year in the fall as we always have.

We want to personally thank all of the students, faculty members, and programs for steadfast support of this annual fundraising effort. This is a difficult time for our patrons and the profession. We will stand together through this and continue looking to the future of the profession.

In good health and with our sincere gratitude,