CHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings highlight Traumatic Brain Injury Services at The MED

Published on March 10, 2009 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


The Mississippi RiverKings are recognizing Traumatic Brain Injury Services at The MED as their featured non-profit at their March 14th "Racing Night" game against the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs.

"Racing Night" with the RiverKings will include a pre-game car and motorcycle show, various demo cars on the concourse and an appearance by the Brain Freeze Ice Cream truck. As the non-profit on the night, Traumatic Brain Injury Services will also receive a table on the concourse.

The Regional Medical Center at Memphis has received a grant from the Tennessee Department of Health Traumatic Brain Injury Program to provide services to individuals with brain injuries and their families in the Memphis metro area. Traumatic Brain Injury Services at The MED works closely with the Brain Injury Association of America (B.I.A.A.) and its affiliate, the Brain Injury Association of Tennessee (B.I.A.T.) to provide ongoing information, support, and referral services to survivors of traumatic brain injury, their families, and the community. Referrals to this free service can be made by anyone.

Traumatic brain injury, also known as T.B.I., is defined as damage to living brain tissue caused by an external, mechanical or physical force. It is usually characterized by a period of altered consciousness (amnesia or coma) that can be very brief (minutes) or very long (months/indefinitely). The specific disabling condition(s) may be orthopedic, visual, aural, neurologic, perceptive/cognitive, or mental/emotional in nature. Due to advances in medical technology, many people who would not have lived a few years ago are now surviving severe, catastrophic brain injuries and will require ongoing therapeutic intervention and support services.

The Memphis Area Brain Injury Support Group, a community-focused support group, meets on the third Tuesday of each month at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library. T.B.I. Services also offers support groups geared to patients and families in trauma and acute care, pediatrics, college and career, and is working to develop a support group for Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans.

"The main goal of T.B.I. Services at The MED is to heighten awareness of brain injury, educate both the public and professionals about brain injury and its consequences, promote prevention, consult in research, and foster advocacy," T.B.I. Service Coordinator Carolyn Chambers said. "T.B.I. is a silent epidemic. You never hear about brain injuries until it happens to a loved one or someone you know."

Nearly 1.5 million brain injuries occur every year in the United States. Falls have now surpassed motor vehicle crashes as the leading cause of T.B.I. Simple falls on the playground, from a ladder, roof, or a same level fall at work or in the home are frequently preventable but result in permanent disabling conditions. Prevention is the only cure for brain injury.

"The Brain Injury Association of America has designated March as National Brain Injury Awareness Month, and Traumatic Brain Injury Services at The MED is very fortunate and pleased that the RiverKings are allowing us to reach out to a large segment of the community to promote awareness and prevention," said Chambers. "We don't get an opportunity like this every day."

For more information on traumatic brain injury, visit www.biausa.org or call TBI Services at The MED at (901) 545-8487.

The Mississippi RiverKings are supported by their community partners, season ticket holders, fans, and program-related investments of Maddox Foundation, an independent private foundation based in Hernando, Miss., to lessen the burden of the DeSoto County government by increasing the viability of the Desoto Civic Center and promoting long-term economic development of the community. The Foundation now uses the team in a variety of programs that increase investments in area charities and their causes.

Upcoming RiverKings games include March 13, 14 (Traumatic Brain Injury Services at The MED Night), 17 and 21. For more information, call 662-342-1755 or visit www.riverkings.com.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Central Hockey League Stories from March 10, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central