HOPE4JD Sets 2014 Goal to Increase Support to Texas Families of Children Affected by a Hypoxic/Anoxic Brain Injury due to a Nonfatal Drowning
Austin, Texas (PRWEB) March 31, 2014 -- HOPE4JD, an Austin-based nonprofit that provides charitable support to Texas families of children with a brain injury due to nonfatal drowning, announced its fourth annual golf tournament will raise more than $35,000 for its mission in 2014. Called GOLF4JD, the annual event will be held Mon., April 28, 2014, at Grey Rock Golf Club in Austin, Texas, where 144 golfers, more than 40 volunteers and 33 Austin-area sponsors will support the organization’s cause.
“We deeply appreciate the generous support from individuals and businesses that help us provide hope to families all over Texas,” says Ronda Johnson, executive director of HOPE4JD. “HOPE4JD is one of the only organizations dedicated to supporting families whose children are living with the effects of a nonfatal drowning.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control, nonfatal (45.5%) and fatal (37.1%) drowning incidents (of 5,789 persons treated) occurred most commonly on weekends during summer months (June – August), with a majority of nonfatal incidents happening in swimming pools. Incidents in natural water settings – lakes, oceans, rivers -- increased with older children, while bathtub incidents were most common among children under age 4. (Editors: see note 1)
A child who survives a nonfatal drowning may face a wide range of conditions, including short-term memory loss, a decline in functions such as reasoning, judgment, and synthesizing information; anomia, or difficulty with words, as well as visual disturbances. Other effects may include ataxia, or a lack of coordination; apraxia, or an inability to coordinate a familiar movements such as brushing teeth, combing hair, using eating utensils; spasticity, rigidity and myoclonus, disorders which can include a tendency toward jerky motions and trembling; and quadriparesis, a weakness of the arms and legs.
In 2013, its grants helped purchase equipment for a family whose two daughters survived a nonfatal drowning in 2008. HOPE4JD helped them purchase LiteGait equipment to increase their mobility. “We are truly and sincerely appreciative for your generous gift to our two little angels,” says Hayat, the mother of the two girls. “We have used it in many different ways; on a ball, on the giddy up, for walking, crawling, and for weight bearing. We are extremely happy with all its functions and strongly believe that it will help our girls recover.” The Alamari family shares their story in this video.
HOPE4JD provides funds for specific resources that children and families such as the Alamari’s may need but insurance doesn’t cover. Since its inception, HOPE4JD has awarded more than $173,000 to families. It grants funds for things such hyperbaric oxygen therapy, neuro development therapy, hippotherapy, as well as home and car renovations to accommodate the HAI child, and special equipment for home based recovery therapy.
2014 GOLF4JD sponsors are Alaskan Brewing Company; American Bank; ARM; Austin Automotive Specialist; Austin Kid's Teeth; Austin Longevity; Austin Mobility Solutions; Ben E Keith; Central Texas Valet; C'est Chic; Critter Ridder; Cullinane Law Group; David Weekley Homes; Denise Bodman; Documation; efg&m; Energy Wise Windows; Eureka Designs; Hill & Wilkerson; Home Source Mortgage; K.W Gutshall & Associates; Lucien, Stirling, & Gray Advisory Group; Pure Gold Realty; Real Life Austin; Resident Realty; Satellite; Southwest Smiles; Streetman Homes; Tara West; Teris; The Golf Club; and Whole Foods Market. Media sponsor is Peel Inc. Meal sponsors are Iron Cactus: Chick fil A and the Circle C Child Development Center. Signage is sponsored by Lewis Signs. HOPE4JD gratefully acknowledges founding sponsor Kym Rapier.
About HOPE4JD
HOPE4JD is 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization that charitably supports families of children up to age 21 who suffer a hypoxic/anoxic brain injury (HAI) due to a nonfatal drowning in Texas.
HOPE4JD has partnered with Conrad Smiles to create and manage the Nonfatal Drowning Registry and Network. Their mission is to advance the understanding of HAI and encourage development of treatments and interventions that promote a healthy and productive life for all people who survive a drowning accident. Learn more about HOPE4JD at http://www.hope4jd.org.
(1) http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6119a4.htm?s_cid=mm6119a4_w
Editors note: HOPE4JD will offer CPR training on Thursday, May 22, 2014, at the Circle C Community Center at 7817 La Crosse Ave., Austin, TX, 78739. Register at http://www.hope4jd.org. Training is free. Certification available for $20.
Laura Bond Williams, Momentum Public Relations, 512.497.8035, [email protected]
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