KELOWNA, BC, March 16 /CNW/ - David McGuire was told he would never walk again . . . . so he is running across Canada. David is running a marathon a day across the country in an event called A Run to Remember to support brain injury awareness. He will commence April 1st in St. John's, Newfoundland after a launch event March 31st at Harbourfront Park and run approximately seven months, ending in Victoria, BC late October. BrainTrust Canada, a community rehabilitation association with a focus on brain injury prevention is coordinating the event. The name of the event is significant because problems with memory are often a major outcome of brain injury, as they are for David.
David sustained brain injury in 2005, and although his family was advised by medical staff that he may never walk again, he began running as part of rehabilitation and completed his first marathon in 2006, a year after his brain injury. David says "I want to inspire people, especially youth, who are at highest risk for brain injury, and think it won't happen to them. I also want people to better understand brain injury - I'm not the same person I was before injury, but I have a lot to offer and am living my life to the fullest. I'm just a guy with brain injury, but I can run, and I have a story to tell."
Magda Kapp, Director of Communications for BrainTrust
Canada adds: "David is truly an inspirational human being - with his help we hope to change the face of brain injury in
Canada. Brain injury is much more prevalent than people realize, and also virtually every day there is a story about concussions and brain injury. People are more aware of the fragility of their brains, but we need to bring more awareness to this issue. The brain is not fully formed until the mid 20's and areas responsible for 'judgment' and 'reasoning' are among the last to develop, which contributes to youth 16 - 24 being at highest risk."
To date, sponsors include Foot Solutions franchises, Rogers Communications, Honda
Canada,
Harmony Honda Kelowna, Canadian Ski Patrol System, supporting companies GPS City
Canada; Splash Design; Free Spirit Photography; Post Net Print & Media Group Kelowna, Pro Sign Kelowna and Vega Foods; NGO partners Think First, Preventable and Smart Risk; and collaborators
Tim Fallis (Black Rock Marketing),
Craig Hurst and Jeannette Holman-Price. BrainTrust
Canada will work with brain injury organizations throughout
Canada to promote the event. Companies interested in supporting this cause and A Run to Remember can contact BrainTrust
Canada (250) 762-3233 or
mkapp@braintrustcanada.com.
For the event, BrainTrust
Canada set up a Legacy Fund with proceeds to promote brain injury prevention and develop new support strategies for persons living with brain injury in
Canada. Contributions can be provided through
www.runtoremember.com, with options such as buying a km for
$20, or texting the word "BRAIN" to 45678 to contribute
$5 on your phone bill.
Brain injury has been labeled an epidemic and is the greatest cause of death and disability under 45, surpassing cancer, heart disease, diabetes and all other causes. Over 170,000 Canadians incur brain injury each year - 483 people per day, or one every 3 minutes - more than a Boeing 747 carries every day. BrainTrust Canada is a registered charity (#14020 2003 RR0001) and progressive community rehabilitation organization since 1986, dedicated to being a leader in brain injury prevention in Canada.
Thursday, March 31, 2011 - 10:06 AM
