Saint Teresa Institute, Brain Injury Association co-sponsor Walk for Thought
WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Teresa Leadership and Service Institute for Women of Saint Mary’s University and the Brain Injury Association of Minnesota are sponsoring a Walk for Thought fundraiser Saturday, Oct. 6, at Lake Winona.
The sixth annual Walk for Thought raises public awareness about brain injury and funding to support those affected by brain injury. Each year more than 20,000 Minnesotans sustain a traumatic brain injury from events such as motor vehicle crashes, falls and firearms — six times more than the combined annual number of people who will experience HIV/AIDS, breast cancer and multiple sclerosis. Despite this startling statistic, awareness about the causes and residual effects of brain injury remain low.
In 2007, the Walk for Thought will be at two other locations besides Winona, Canal Park in Duluth and Como Park in St. Paul. This marks the second time the walk has been held in Winona.
Registration and check-in for the Winona walk starts at 9 a.m. at the walk tent in the Kmart parking lot. The walk will begin at 10 a.m. To register online or for more information, go to www.braininjurymn.org.
Last year more than 1,000 participants and sponsors raised nearly $80,000 for the cause — and this year the goal is to raise a record-breaking $100,000 for the Brain Injury Association of Minnesota.
“While our goal is to continue raising awareness, this year's walk is of acute importance as one of our young students sustained a brain injury in an accident just weeks before school started,” said Holly Richard, director of the Saint Teresa Institute. “When intangible statistics become real within a small community, people take action. Brain injuries are very real, and we hope to get more people involved to support the work of the Brain Injury Association.”
The mission of the Brain Injury Association of Minnesota is to enhance the quality of life and bring the promise of a better tomorrow for all people affected by brain injury. Based in Minneapolis, the Association conducts support groups, holds education events for individuals impacted by brain injury and creates public awareness about brain injury, as the only cure is prevention.
The Saint Teresa Leadership and Service Institute for Women is a co-curricular women’s program that incorporates a leadership and service perspective into Saint Mary’s University general education courses.
