TALLAHASSEE, FL--(Marketwire - February 16, 2010) - What do a 9/11 Pentagon Survivor, a retired
Mom of two grown children, a college medical professor and a best-selling
author all have in common?
They have all seen, experienced and lived up-close-and-personal in the
world of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
The Florida TBI community will gather in Tallahassee today where it will
share, support and inspire. Caregivers, survivors (including a 9/11
Pentagon survivor), medical researchers and those who have chronicled the
inside world of TBI will attend an awareness event at the State Capitol
sponsored by the
Brain Injury
Association of Florida and the
Florida Department of Health.
"Brain injuries affect people of all ages and all walks of life," said
Valerie Breen, Executive Director of Brain Injury Association of Florida.
"There are 210,000 people in Florida living with a brain injury. The
consequence for those who survive and their journey to thrive is our story
today. Access to health care, rehabilitation and life long support is key
to survivors and their families."
Among the event's panelists and featured guests will be
Buzz Bissinger, the award-winning
journalist and author who wrote "Friday Night Lights," an honest, real and
heartwarming account of big-time high school football in a small-time town.
Bissinger was one of the first to shine a light on high-school sports
injuries and head trauma, and concussion in particular.
"Concussion can end more than just a game -- it can end a career and even a
life," Bissinger explained. "Parents and coaches must help athletes
recognize signs and symptoms and make it okay to sit out a game or two so
they don't have to sit it out forever."
The event will focus equally on those living with TBI as well as ways it
can be prevented from occurring in the first place. Triston Sanders,
Executive Producer/Anchor at WCTV-Channel 6 (CBS affiliate) will moderate
the event. Other distinguished guests include Ana M. Viamonte Ros, Surgeon
General of the State of Florida; Frank Toral, President, Brain Injury
Association of Florida; Valerie Breen, Executive Director, Brain Injury
Association of Florida; Chee-Chee Parker, 9/11 Survivor, TBI survivor,
activist; Lester Rice, TBI mother/caregiver, activist; and Jacob W.
VanLandingham Ph.D., Assistant Professor in Biomedical Sciences, FSU
College of Medicine.
For additional information about the event, please visit
ByYourSide.org.
About Brain Injury Association of Florida
Brain Injury Association of Florida (BIAF) is Florida's only statewide
non-profit organization dedicated to informing, educating, supporting and
advocating for all Floridians who have survived a brain injury and their
families. Founded in 1985 by the mother of a young man who sustained a
traumatic brain injury (TBI) from a motor vehicle crash, BIAF's mission is
to "improve the quality of life for all persons with brain injury and their
families by creating a better future through brain injury awareness,
prevention, research, education, support services and advocacy." BIAF is an
official state affiliate of Brain Injury Association of America and part of
a nationwide network of brain injury associations located throughout the
United States. All resources are provided free of charge to persons with
brain injury and their families. Family Support Coordinators work in
offices throughout the state, providing individualized information,
education, support and advocacy for survivors and their families to help
them remain in their homes and communities.
Services:
-- Information and resource center
-- Toll-free help line
-- Education and training programs
-- Family support coordination
-- Public education and prevention
-- Advocacy (individual and statewide)
www.biaf.org
www.ByYourSide.org
Toll-Free Helpline: 1-800-992-3442
Contact Information: Contact:
Christine Bucan
christine@thinkbsg.com
305.929.9723
Bradley Simon
bradley@thinkbsg.com
305.929.9783