Head Strong

Brain injury occurs suddenly, without warning. In an instant life is changed, forever. Ben Fanelli knows this first hand. And that is why he teamed up with the Kitchener Rangers to start Head Strong; Fanelli 4 Brain Injury Awareness: a program designed to raise awareness about brain injuries.

Through Head Strong, Ben participates in community events locally and throughout Ontario with the goal of increasing awareness for brain injuries and brain injuries in sport. “A concussion is a brain injury now and is common in my sport, hockey,” Ben says, “I want to make it known that there is a way to help.”

Since launching in March 2011, Head Strong has experienced a tremendous amount of support and has garnered praise and recognition from some of the biggest names in the sports industry including Don Cherry. “It’s absolutely amazing to feel the support,” Ben said. “I can’t even find words to describe it. The respect I feel and the adrenaline it gives me pushes me to work harder.”

On June 5, 2011, Ben participated in his first of many Head Strong events, the Subaru Triathlon Series in Milton, Ontario where he finished the race in a time of 2:04:42. The triathlon, which was a first for Ben, had over 500 participants. Ben finished among the top 350. Most recently, Head Strong has announced the start of 'Keeping Head Strong', a blog written by Fanelli.

KEEPING HEAD STRONG

The online journal 'blog' allows Fanelli the opportunity to share his experiences, both past and present, as he continues to promote awareness surrounding brain injuries.

“’Keeping Head Strong’ is important to me because it’s another way to promote Head Strong, but it also promotes positivity,” explains Ben.

“It’s a good tool to help me maintain a good, healthy mindset.”

Fanelli’s introductory post can be read now at http://kitchenerrangers.com/blogs/keeping-head-strong.

In conjunction with the launch of ‘Keeping Head Strong’, Ben and the Rangers have teamed up to create Head Strong bracelets, a tool to help generate awareness. The bracelets will go on sale Friday, November 16 at Rangers Authentics, the official retail outlet of the Kitchener Rangers. Head Strong bracelets will be sold for $2 dollars each, and a photo is included in Ben’s blog.


MAKE A DONATION

Proceeds directly benefit the Brain Injury Association of Canada.

By mail: Kitchener Rangers, c/o Head Strong, Michelle Fortin, 400 East Avenue, Kitchener, Ontario, N2H 1Z6. In person: 9:30am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm, Monday through Friday at 400 East Avenue, Kitchener, Ontario, N2H 1Z6. Cheques may be made payable to Kitchener Rangers/Head Strong. Tax receipts are issued directly from the BIAC. To make a donation online, please visit the BIAC website and click the TO DONATE box in the top left corner of the screen. Enter the amount you wish to donate in the required field and choose HEAD STRONG as your designation for the donation.


THE BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATION OF CANADA (BIAC)

The BIAC helps to improve the quality of life for all Canadians affected by acquired brain injury and promote its prevention. BIAC is dedicated to facilitate post-trauma research, education and advocacy in partnership with national, provincial/territorial and regional associations and other stakeholders. For more information on the BIAC, please visit their website here.

For more information on Head Strong, please contact Michelle Fortin, Manager of Brand Marketing and Media Relations, mfortin@kitchenerrangers.com or 519-576-3700 ext. 223.

Thank you for your consideration in supporting this community initiative.