The Childress Institute for
Pediatric Trauma Receives $15,000
from Matthew Gfeller Memorial Doughnut Run
Will Fund Sports-Related Traumatic Brain Injury
Research
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (February 5,
2013) - The Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma received
$15,000 from funds raised during the 4th annual Matthew Gfeller
Memorial Doughnut Run. The event raised over $30,000 from sponsors
and participants to fund sports-related traumatic brain injury
(TBI) research. The Matthew Gfeller Foundation distributed all
proceeds evenly between the Childress Institute for Pediatric
Trauma and The Matthew Gfeller Sport-Related Traumatic Brain Injury
Research Center at UNC-Chapel Hill.
With the tremendous support of the
community, The Matthew Gfeller Foundation continues to invest in
projects, advocacy and fundraising events that positively impact
the safety of young athletes.
"The Matthew Gfeller Foundation is
funding vital research for children that may suffer from
sports-related traumatic brain injuries," said Richard Childress,
president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing and co-founder of the
Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma. "Bob and Lisa Gfeller
have turned their family's tragedy into a way to save the lives of
injured kids, and the Childress Institute will honor Matt's legacy
and the Gfeller's mission with these funds."
Created by three of Matt's best
friends, Camden Francis, John Lineberger and Thomas Keshian, the
Matt Gfeller Memorial Doughnut Run is a lighthearted 5K run/walk
for the entire community. On October 13, 2012, over 800
participants came again to celebrate the spirit of Matthew, eat
lots of doughnuts and raise money for concussion research. The
Foundation plans to host the 5th Matt Gfeller Memorial Doughnut Run
this fall.
Lisa and Bob Gfeller will also
attend the Youth Sports Safety Summit convened by the National
Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) on February 5-6. This Summit
focuses on injury trends in youth sports and finalizing a National
Action Plan and Student Athlete's Bill of Rights to deliver to
Congress. The Gfeller-Waller Concussion Act was signed into NC law
in June 2011. North Carolina schools are now required to have an
emergency action plan in place and a doctor or certified athletic
trainer must give consent for the student to return to play.
On March 8-9, 2013, The Matthew
Gfeller Center at UNC-CH will host the Second Biannual Matthew
Gfeller Sport-Related Neurotrauma Symposium in the BlueZone at
Kenan Football Stadium. All Forsyth County Athletic Trainers are
being sponsored by the Matthew Gfeller Foundation to attend this
conference. The symposium will provide physicians, athletic
trainers and therapists, and other allied health care professionals
with a comprehensive overview of sport-related neurotraumatic
injuries.
For more information about how to
save the lives of critically injured children, connect with the
Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma on www.Twitter.com @injuredkids,
on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ChildressPediatricTrauma,
or online at www.InjuredKids.org. Fans can
help save kids' lives by supporting the Childress Institute. Visit
www.InjuredKids.org and
click "Donate" or text WIN to 80077 and donate $10 (see terms
below).
About The Childress
Institute for Pediatric Trauma
The Childress Institute is working to save injured children's lives
through research, education and awareness, as well as help them
recover quickly. Serious injury is the No. 1 killer of kids in
America - more than 12,000 children die each year and more than
100,000 survive with some form of a disability. The Childress
Institute for Pediatric Trauma at Wake Forest Baptist Medical
Center was established through the generosity of Richard and Judy
Childress. For more information, please visit www.InjuredKids.org.
About The Matthew Gfeller
Foundation
On August 22, 2008 Matthew, age 15, suffered a severe helmet to
helmet collision during his first varsity football game at Reynolds
High School. The accident caused a fatal traumatic brain
injury and he died two days later on Sunday, August 24, 2008. The
Matthew Gfeller Foundation is a non-profit public charity that
invests in projects that aid in the prevention, recognition and
treatment of sports-related traumatic brain injuries. www.matthewgfellerfoundation.org.
About
Donations
$10.00 donation to Wake Forest University Health Sciences
benefitting the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma. Charges
will appear on your wireless bill, or be deducted from your prepaid
balance. All purchases must be authorized by account holder. Must
be 18 years of age or have parental permission to participate.
Message and Data Rates May Apply. Text STOP to 80077 to STOP. Text
HELP to 80077 for HELP. Full Terms: www.mGive.org/T. www.mGive.org/Privacy.aspx
For additional information,
contact:
Kara Thompson
Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma
336-491-9766
kathomps@wakehealth.edu
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