In 2004, the BIAMI was recognized within the world of brain injury as a national leader in its efforts on behalf of the nearly 114,000 Michigan residents who currently live with disabilities as a result of a brain injury. Yet, both the organization and the disease it represented received little awareness or funding from outside their circle of influence compared to other more well-known causes. Moreover, as corporate contribution budgets continued to shrink, donors were looking for more return on investment from their charitable contributions, resulting in increased competition amongst all charitable organizations for a shrinking dollar. Faced with these circumstances, the association sought to change it fortunes.
In December of 2004, starrconstand teamed with the BIAMI to create a unique and memorable fundraising event designed to raise needed funding and create greater awareness of the silent epidemic known as Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). starrconstand contacted former NASCAR driving legend and Daytona 500 winner Ernie Irvan, who himself sustained two life-threatening crashes and a career-ending TBI at Michigan International Speedway (MIS) in 1999.
Irvan, inspired by cyclist and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong, had recently formed a non-profit organization called Race2Safety in order to educate the public about TBI and spearhead development of next-generation safety equipment for adults and children. With interest peaked from both associations in collaborating their efforts, as well as the full support and endorsement from NASCAR, starrconstand created and produced LAPS Walk, a charitable event held in conjunction with the August 2005 NASCAR race at MIS where NASCAR fans and brain injury survivors could walk the racetrack alongside Irvan and other current and former NASCAR drivers to raise money and awareness for TBI.
The inaugural event was a huge success. Over 600 participants raised over $60,000 for the Brain Injury Association of Michigan, and the event gained national media exposure garnering over 80 million media impressions. News of the event spread in NASCAR circles, and subsequent events were held at the Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania as well as Michigan producing similar results.
In December of 2004, starrconstand teamed with the BIAMI to create a unique and memorable fundraising event designed to raise needed funding and create greater awareness of the silent epidemic known as Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). starrconstand contacted former NASCAR driving legend and Daytona 500 winner Ernie Irvan, who himself sustained two life-threatening crashes and a career-ending TBI at Michigan International Speedway (MIS) in 1999.
Irvan, inspired by cyclist and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong, had recently formed a non-profit organization called Race2Safety in order to educate the public about TBI and spearhead development of next-generation safety equipment for adults and children. With interest peaked from both associations in collaborating their efforts, as well as the full support and endorsement from NASCAR, starrconstand created and produced LAPS Walk, a charitable event held in conjunction with the August 2005 NASCAR race at MIS where NASCAR fans and brain injury survivors could walk the racetrack alongside Irvan and other current and former NASCAR drivers to raise money and awareness for TBI.
The inaugural event was a huge success. Over 600 participants raised over $60,000 for the Brain Injury Association of Michigan, and the event gained national media exposure garnering over 80 million media impressions. News of the event spread in NASCAR circles, and subsequent events were held at the Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania as well as Michigan producing similar results.
The Brain Injury Association of Michigan (BIAMI) is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of those affected by brain injury through education, advocacy, research and local support groups, and to reducing the incidence of brain injury through prevention. Founded in 1981, the Brighton, Mich.-based association is one of the first associations chartered as a state affiliate by the Brain Injury Association of America., Affiliated groups include local support group chapters throughout Michigan and the Michigan Brain Injury Providers Council.
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Michigan International Speedway
