Upon
graduation, Josh Billauer, ’98, was not sure what he wanted
to do with his future. He just dreamed of making an impact on the
world.
Little did Josh know that he was already on his way.
Two years earlier, Josh’s brother, Jesse was on the cusp of
becoming a pro surfer when he was knocked by a wave into a sandbar,
breaking his neck and leaving him a quadriplegic.
To offset the expenses related to Jesse’s
injury, the local community and surfing industry rallied to support
the family. As a thank you, the Billauer brothers decided
to host a golf tournament to benefit spinal cord injury research.
Momentum for their fundraising efforts grew, and Josh and Jesse soon
founded a nonprofit foundation, Life Rolls On (www.liferollson.org),
in 2002.
Since then, the grassroots organization
has raised more than $1.1 million to support individuals and families
whose lives have been
affected by severe spinal cord injuries. The Foundation also funds
research, such
as UCSD’s groundbreaking Translational Spinal Cord Regeneration
Research Program, directed by Mark Tuszynski, M.D., Ph.D.
Josh balances a successful career as a partner of an investment group
with Wachovia Securities in La Jolla, while serving as president
of the Life Rolls On Foundation.
What motivated Life Rolls On to support
UCSD’s spinal cord
regeneration research?
As an alumnus, I felt comfortable knowing that the funds would
be used responsibly by Dr. Tuszynski’s program, where researchers
are working to promote regeneration of nerve cells to help paralyzed
patients regain more functional use of their limbs.
What do you hope to accomplish with the gifts?
Our goal is to contribute to further research for spinal cord injury,
although the funding need is much greater than what just our
organization can give.
What advice would you give to fellow alumni about giving back?
Find what it is you are passionate about, and figure out a way
to get involved. It doesn’t
always have to be money. It can be time, use of your professional
skills or connections and other resources.
What’s next?
My wife is due with our first child, and the Life Rolls On Foundation
is on the verge of hiring our first formal staff members. This
is coming just in time—I don’t know how I would have
been able to manage a baby, a job and Life Rolls On.
Knowing Josh, he would have found a way.
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