Brain Bolt Tops Expectations
Record attendance and attractions mark signature event
Goodman Campbell Brain and Spine’s Second Annual Brain Bolt 5K attracted more than 360 runners and walkers who helped raise nearly $60,000 to support traumatic brain injury research.
This year’s Brain Bolt, however, was more than just a race. The October 8 event under sunny skies at the Carmel Gazebo in Carmel, IN, featured regional trauma specialists who educated participants on how to prevent head and spine injuries. A popular attraction was also GCBS’ new MEGA Brain, an inflatable walk-through exhibit that features interactive anatomical displays. The day took on a festival-like atmosphere with music, food trucks, and a face painter adorning children’s faces in whimsical brightly colored designs.
Making a difference for TBIs
“We couldn’t be more excited about this year’s participant turnout,” said Derek Cantrell, Executive Director of Finance and Administration. “Coupled with our increased fundraising from generous sponsorships and in-kind donations, we greatly surpassed our expectations.”
All proceeds from Brain Bolt 5K will support the efforts of the Neurosurgery Foundation at Goodman Campbell to fund pilot TBI research projects, a follow-up clinic for patients for after-injury care, and our neurotrauma databases.
Each year, 1.7 million people sustain a TBI. In Indiana, the immediate, life-saving efforts of the neurotrauma teams at the state’s Level 1 Trauma Centers provide these patients the best hope for surviving and coping with their injuries.
Rebecca Overman was one of the fortunate TBI survivors to receive her immediate treatment at Methodist Hospital’s Level 1 Trauma Center. Overman is a critical care nurse at St. Vincent Hospital who served as this year’s survivor spokesperson and, during the closing ceremonies, spoke of her injuries from a golf cart accident and her more than 2-year recovery.
“While in the rehab hospital, I met another survivor who was also recovering from a serious injury and she gave me hope,” she told the crowd. “I hope all the survivors here today can find that same inspiration and strength to keep going through the tough times. It gets better.”
Winners of this year’s Brain Bolt were Nate Velot and Kelsey Allbright who finished with times of 15:16.2 and 21:08.3, respectively, for first place male and female. Plans for the 2017 Third Annual Brain Bolt 5K are now underway.
