Retired NHL great and former Canadian National Hockey Team member Eric Lindros is the 2013 Honorary Chair for “See the Line”, a new, collaborative initiative focused on concussion research, care and awareness. The initiative’s inaugural events on August 14 and 15 also feature renowned concussion researcher Dr. Ann McKee along with Canadian football notables Andy Fantuz and Greg Marshall.
“Through shifting the research culture from competitive to collaborative this initiative will continue to raise concussion awareness, not just in sport, but in all aspects of life. Although impossible to prevent entirely, the goal is to better recognize and treat patients with our sights set on a full recovery – with specialized treatment based on the unique needs of each patient,” says Lindros.
“Over the past twenty years, there have been great advances in the field of concussion research, however we have much further distances to travel. By sharing both success and failure, new advances, ones to build on for the future will come quicker as research duplication is limited and the highly competitive fund raising dollars are better used,” adds Lindros. “Our plan is to lead the way by example!”
See the Line seeks to reduce the incidence of concussion, improve care through research, and educate athletes, coaches and parents about the serious impact of concussions.
“London is an ideal place for concussion research because we have such an incredible depth of expertise and resources here – everything from clinicians specializing in sport-related injuries, to our advanced imaging facilities, to our outstanding basic science and clinical researchers. We have everything we need here to be doing this type of work, and as we all know, there is a tremendous need for it,” says Dr. Michael Strong, Dean of Western University’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry and one of the key organizers of See the Line.
See the Line launches with two days of events this August with a free Education & Community Information Symposium, followed by a fundraising gala dinner on August 14, and a fundraising golf tournament on August 15. The symposium features presentations by leading medical experts and moderated panel discussions. Aimed at coaches, parents and athletes, it will provide insight on prediction and prevention of sport concussion as well as the latest research.
One of the world’s leading experts on concussion research, Dr. Ann McKee of the Boston University School of Medicine is the keynote speaker at the symposium. Dr. McKee has studied the brains of concussed soldiers and athletes, including the post-mortem examinations of noted NFL players. She will join a noted panel for an “armchair discussion” at the gala dinner.
Dr. Wai Ng, Associate Professor, Neurosurgery, Schulich Medicine & Dentistry and Chapter Director of London’s “Think First” Program will also be part of the armchair discussion along with Lindros, CFL star Andy Fantuz and Western Mustangs football coach Greg Marshall. Fantuz, a former Western Mustang football star, is currently an all-star receiver with the Hamilton TiCats. A former star Mustang player himself, Coach Marshall also played three seasons with the Edmonton Eskimos and was named the 2004 CFL coach of the year with the TiCats.
Those interested in attending any of the See the Line events can find more information, and register for the free Education & Community Information Symposium and/or the fundraising events, by visiting www.seetheline.ca
See the Line event schedule:
Wednesday, August 14
Education & Community Information Symposium
1 – 4 p.m., Arthur and Sonia Labatt Health Sciences Building, Western University
Free, but pre-registration through website required (limited seating).
Gala Dinner- Sunningdale Golf and Country Club
Admission by golf registration fee or gala ticket purchase only.
Thursday, August 15
Golf Tournament – Sunningdale Golf and Country Club
Participation by registration fee only
See the Line is a collaborative initiative between London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC), St. Joseph’s Health Care London (SJHC), Lawson Health Research Institute (Lawson), Children’s Health Research Institute, Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic, Western University’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry including Robarts Research Institute and the Faculties of Health Sciences and Engineering. It combines the cumulative experience of world-class acute sport concussion clinical care and research leaders in London, with the aim of reducing the incidence of concussion, improving care through research, and educating athletes, coaches and parents about the serious impact of concussions.
Note to Editors:
News Directors:Eric Lindros is available for interview by phone the morning of Thursday, August 1 (10 a.m. – 12 noon). Please contact London Health Sciences Foundation if you wish to interview Mr. Lindros.
Alexander Peterson
Manager, Public Relations
London Health Sciences Foundation
(519) 685-8527
Pager: 519-685-8500
page13737
alexander.peterson@lhsc.on.ca
There is also a planned news conference with Eric Lindros, Andy Fantuz, Dr. Ann McKee and Dr. Michael Strong on August 14, 5:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. at Sunningdale Golf and Country Club and an opportunity for media to return to the gala to cover the armchair discussion later that evening (8:30 p.m.). A Media Advisory with time and location will be issued and posted on August 12. Inquiries on the news conference, gala or golf should be directed through London Health Sciences Foundation:
Media are welcome to cover See the Line’s Education & Community Information Symposium at Western University on August 14.
For further information contact:
Kathy Wallis
Media Relations Officer
Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
(519) 661-2111 ext. 81136
kathy.wallis@schulich.uwo.ca
Please note: Kathy will not be available from July 29 to August 12
Crystal Mackay
Communications Coordinator
Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
519-661-2111 ext. 80387
Crystal.Mackay@schulich.uwo.ca
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