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Sunday, June 28, 2009

Hiking For Traumatic Brain Injury

Hello All,


I want to share my latest adventure! I'm participating in the Pikes Peak Challenge Hike For Brain Injury Awareness on Saturday, September 12, 2009. I will be hiking Barr Trail on 14,110 foot Pikes Peak. When I finish, I will have hiked 13 miles and 7,400 vertical feet to the summit to join other hikers and supporters in celebration of brain injury awareness and prevention.


Although this is quite an undertaking considering the altitude and possible weather conditions I might encounter, it pales in comparison to what survivors of Traumatic Brain Injury face everyday. In the United States a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) occurs every 23 seconds. Based on national estimates, there are more annual incidences of Traumatic Brain Injuries than Multiple Sclerosis, Spinal Cord Injuries, HIV/AIDS and Breast Cancer put together. It is estimated that over 20% of our American Soldiers are returning home with a TBI.


In this country there are 3 million persons living with breast cancer and public spending is $295 per person, 900,000 persons living with HIV/AIDS and public spending is $18,111 per person but there are 5.3 million persons living with disability from TBI and public spending is $2.55 per person! Research into treatment of TBI receives less than one penny of every Federal dollar spent on medical research. This is why I am involved!


I'm raising money and doing this, because in the tough times with the economy and with our own lives there are ways to uplift our spirits. A crucial aspect to our happiness is to volunteer for others and to do selfless acts. I am a strong believer that when you give to others for a good cause, those that are in worse situations that you can never imagine; you are giving to this universe and great things always comes back around to us.


If you would like to support my endeavors to make a difference, there are two ways to donate. You can donate directly to me online at this link below. https://www.pikespeakchallenge.com/includes/donation_search.php?hiker=Sonyo%20Ferstl


This is a special event of the Brain Injury Association of Colorado and you will be able to print a tax-deductible receipt for your donation.


Thank You,
Sonyo Lee Ferstl