The Community That Raised $1 Million for a Paralyzed 26-Year-Old
Published · Researched 2026-09-22
What happened (dated facts)
Rebecca Aleck Koltun of Plainview, New York, was a healthy, athletic 21-year-old about to graduate college when a 2021 skiing accident left her paralyzed from the neck down. Living with quadriplegia, her medical costs exceed $200,000 per year — around-the-clock specialized care, therapies, a custom wheelchair, an accessible van, and daily medical supplies. Her community refused to let the family face it alone: on 2026-05-23, the 5th Annual Rally for Rebecca 5K Walk-Run-Roll and Fun Run was held at Plainview Old Bethpage Middle School, and the campaign passed $1 million raised in five years (Help Hope Live press release, June 2026). Donations go to the nonprofit Help Hope Live in Rebecca's honor. "We continue to be amazed and humbled by the amount of support that has been provided to Rebecca and our family," the family said via Help Hope Live.
Why it is genuinely positive
Five years of sustained community generosity reaching a million dollars for one young woman — thousands of neighbors, schools, and businesses refusing to let a family face paralysis alone. Extraordinary collective kindness.
Social pulse
The milestone circulated on Instagram via @goodnews_movement (2026-05-12); the Rally for Rebecca Facebook page documented the 5K events; Help Hope Live promoted the campaign.
Verified quotes
- The Koltun family, via Help Hope Live: "We continue to be amazed and humbled by the amount of support that has been provided to Rebecca and our family."
- Help Hope Live press release (2026-06): "26-year-old Rebecca has been living with paralysis from the neck down since a life-altering 2021 skiing accident. Her medical costs exceed $200,000 per year."
Verification
- Tier: 2
- Primary sources: Help Hope Live press release, "$1 Million Raised to Help Rebecca Koltun in 5 Years Since Paralyzing Injury" (June 2026) — https://helphopelive.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Rally-for-Rebecca-Koltun-5K-press-release.pdf ; Help Hope Live campaign page — https://helphopelive.org/campaign/18533/
- Social sources: Rally for Rebecca Facebook page; Instagram @goodnews_movement (2026-05-12).
- Positivity check: passed — community generosity with a real, measurable outcome.
Key facts
| Fact | Value | Source | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beneficiary | Rebecca Aleck Koltun, 26, Plainview NY; quadriplegia since 2021 skiing accident | Help Hope Live | 2026-06 |
| Milestone | $1 million raised in 5 years | Help Hope Live | 2026-06 |
| 5th annual 5K | Rally for Rebecca 5K Walk-Run-Roll, Plainview Old Bethpage Middle School | Help Hope Live | 2026-05-23 |
| Annual costs | $200,000+/year medical costs | Help Hope Live | 2026-06 |
| Recipient org | Help Hope Live nonprofit, in Rebecca's honor | Help Hope Live | 2026 |
UNVERIFIED points
- An earlier draft of this dossier mislocated the campaign in Maine; corrected to Plainview, New York, per Help Hope Live.
- The @goodnews_movement Instagram post was not re-verified during the audit.
Sources
- Primary sources: Help Hope Live press release, "$1 Million Raised to Help Rebecca Koltun in 5 Years Since Paralyzing Injury" (June 2026) — retrieval date not recorded
- Primary sources: Help Hope Live press release, "$1 Million Raised to Help Rebecca Koltun in 5 Years Since Paralyzing Injury" (June 2026)… — retrieval date not recorded