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.
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