Free Wheelchair Mission raises more than $2.5 million in anniversary mobility campaign

Free Wheelchair Mission said its 2026 Miracle of Mobility events brought in more than $2.5 million, the most in the fundraiser’s history, and will help provide mobility to more than 23,500 people in developing countries. The three events capped the nonprofit’s 25th anniversary year as it pushes toward a goal of distributing 3 million wheelchairs by 2035.

Why it matters: - Free Wheelchair Mission says the record fundraising total will help expand access to wheelchairs for people with disabilities in developing countries, where need remains high and access remains limited. - The campaign adds momentum to the nonprofit’s longer-term target of distributing three million wheelchairs by 2035.

What happened: - Free Wheelchair Mission raised more than $2.5 million through its 2026 Miracle of Mobility events. - The total topped the events’ collective fundraising goal and marked the highest amount in the fundraiser’s history. - The campaign is expected to provide mobility to more than 23,500 people living with disabilities in developing countries. - The events took place during Free Wheelchair Mission’s 25th anniversary year. - Orange County’s Miracle of Mobility was held Sept. 10 at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, California. - Television host and producer Jason Kennedy hosted the Orange County event. - Nearly 600 supporters and international distribution partners attended the Costa Mesa gathering. - The Virtual Miracle of Mobility followed on Sept. 20 and was hosted by actress, producer and author Candace Cameron Bure. - The 2026 events concluded Oct. 10 in Seattle with special guest speakers Nuka Hart, CEO of Free Wheelchair Mission, and Saba Marcos, founder of Agape Mobility Ethiopia, a distribution partner.

The details: - Free Wheelchair Mission has distributed 1.6 million wheelchairs across 95 countries. - The organization described the 2026 fundraiser as a celebration of a quarter century of transforming lives through mobility. - Candace Cameron Bure previously traveled with Free Wheelchair Mission on a wheelchair distribution trip to the Dominican Republic. - Bure said the three events helped provide mobility to more than 23,500 people and thanked donors for making the year record-breaking. - The virtual program included a musical performance by for KING + COUNTRY, a four-time GRAMMY® Award-winning duo. - Joel Smallbone of for KING + COUNTRY said the duo is proud of the way Free Wheelchair Mission is giving people new beginnings and new ways to experience life. - Free Wheelchair Mission said the original goal for the three events was 23,150 lives transformed through mobility. - The World Health Organization estimates that about 80 million people, or 1% of the world’s population, need a wheelchair. - The organization said the vast majority of those people cannot access one on their own. - Free Wheelchair Mission is based in Irvine, California, and was founded in 2001 by Don Schoendorfer, PhD. - The nonprofit designs and manufactures cost-efficient, durable wheelchairs for people living with disabilities in developing countries.

Between the lines: - The fundraising result suggests donor support remains strong even as humanitarian needs stay large. - The 25th anniversary gave Free Wheelchair Mission a platform to connect past impact with a larger long-term growth target. - The mix of in-person, virtual and Seattle events widened the campaign’s reach across supporters, partners and public figures.

What's next: - Free Wheelchair Mission is aiming to distribute three million wheelchairs by 2035. - People who missed the event can watch the replay of the Virtual Miracle of Mobility at Miracle of Mobility replay. - More information about the mission and ways to support it is available at Free Wheelchair Mission.