NHLPA donates $500,000 for concussion research at Western
LONDON — On August 12,
the See the Line conference started
off with a bang when retired NHL
all-star Eric Lindros announced a
$500,000 donation to Western concussion
research.
The NHL Players’ Association’s stake is part of a $3.125 million fund, all of which will go towards research at Western.
The third annual See the Line initiative, which aims to bring together health care and research professionals, included a symposium, workshop, panel discussion and fundraising gala.
The Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic presented the concussion education workshop, while the symposium consisted of several speakers ranging from professors to professional athletes who discussed current research and firsthand experiences.
The symposium was chaired by Jim Weese, dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences.
He says most of the funds will go towards the research of Dr. Arthur Brown.
“His work is on the care and treatment of concussions, and he has used our intercollegiate athletics program for student athletes to serve as research,” Weese said. “[Brown] and his colleagues are really advancing our reputation in this area.”
Topics touched on during the day included the history of concussion research, the causes of concussions and what more needs to be done to fully recognize and treat them.
Douglas Fraser, associate professor in the department of paediatrics, explained that with concussions obvious external injuries may be absent and CT scans cannot detect them. He also said clinicians often poorly identify concussions.
Others noted concussions may affect adolescents more harmfully as their bodies are ill-equipped to handle the injury. As children grow their heads are larger than what can be supported by their necks and consequently are less capable of coping with head injuries.
Lindros also spoke about how concussions do not just happen to professional athletes, but to everyone. At Western, both varsity and intramural athletes are affected by concussions. Both sets of athletes are welcome to the Fowler Kennedy clinic and to the medical services provided across campus.
“We know concussions can happen in all walks of life … I think awareness and education is what the goal of this whole program is,” Weese said.
Overall the symposium accomplished its goal of raising awareness about concussion prevention and fuelling more donations.
“I’m very proud of the turnout, I’m very proud of the leadership of this particular region, and I’m so pleased that it was a successful event,” Weese said.
The NHL Players’ Association’s stake is part of a $3.125 million fund, all of which will go towards research at Western.
The third annual See the Line initiative, which aims to bring together health care and research professionals, included a symposium, workshop, panel discussion and fundraising gala.
The Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic presented the concussion education workshop, while the symposium consisted of several speakers ranging from professors to professional athletes who discussed current research and firsthand experiences.
The symposium was chaired by Jim Weese, dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences.
He says most of the funds will go towards the research of Dr. Arthur Brown.
“His work is on the care and treatment of concussions, and he has used our intercollegiate athletics program for student athletes to serve as research,” Weese said. “[Brown] and his colleagues are really advancing our reputation in this area.”
Topics touched on during the day included the history of concussion research, the causes of concussions and what more needs to be done to fully recognize and treat them.
Douglas Fraser, associate professor in the department of paediatrics, explained that with concussions obvious external injuries may be absent and CT scans cannot detect them. He also said clinicians often poorly identify concussions.
Others noted concussions may affect adolescents more harmfully as their bodies are ill-equipped to handle the injury. As children grow their heads are larger than what can be supported by their necks and consequently are less capable of coping with head injuries.
Lindros also spoke about how concussions do not just happen to professional athletes, but to everyone. At Western, both varsity and intramural athletes are affected by concussions. Both sets of athletes are welcome to the Fowler Kennedy clinic and to the medical services provided across campus.
“We know concussions can happen in all walks of life … I think awareness and education is what the goal of this whole program is,” Weese said.
Overall the symposium accomplished its goal of raising awareness about concussion prevention and fuelling more donations.
“I’m very proud of the turnout, I’m very proud of the leadership of this particular region, and I’m so pleased that it was a successful event,” Weese said.
