Hello Family and Friends!
On September 9th I will climb 14,115’ to the top of Pikes Peak to raise funds for the Brain Injury Alliance of Colorado. When I summit, I will have hiked 13 miles and gained 7,400 vertical feet. The hike will be challenging, the air will be thin, but the cause is more than worthy. The funds raised during this hike help ensure that people with brain injuries thrive within in the community, as well as improve awareness to decrease the incidence of preventable head injuries. I never wish to impose or for anyone to feel any financial obligation. Donations are accepted in any form even in thoughts, well wishes, or taking the time to become more aware of the prevalence and seriousness of head injuries.
The Pikes Peak Challenge is quite an undertaking considering the altitude and possible weather conditions we might encounter, but it pales in comparison to what survivors of Brain Injury face every day. In the United States a Brain Injury occurs every 23 seconds. Based on national estimates, there are more annual incidences of Brain Injuries than Multiple Sclerosis, Spinal Cord Injuries, HIV/AIDS and Brest Cancer put together. We now know that over 20% of our American Soldiers are returning home from combat tours with Brain Injuries and some have sustained several. The NFL has put Traumatic Brain Injury in the news as they try to understand the immediate and long-term impact of repeated hits to the head. The more we learn about head injuries the more we find that there needs to be more research and education on the subject.
I will be accompanied on the climb by a Pike’s Peak Challenge veteran in my father Sherm as well as fellow rookies in my two amazing brothers Matt and Bob. Our team captain of this venture and the adventure of life is my wonderful mother Cindy. We will all hike to honor my older brother Jesse who passed away in 2009. Jesse’s death was diagnosed as a suicide, which leaves my family with several unanswerable questions and constant struggle to figure out the “why?” Objectively we know that Jesse sustained several head injuries while playing baseball, he lost consciousness during two of those injuries, upon regaining consciousness he immediately returned to the playing field. Our current knowledgebase dictates that with any head injury a player should be evaluated thoroughly and not return to the field of play. Unfortunately, this was not common knowledge when my brother was playing. The Brain Injury Alliance has helped push for better understanding of head injuries and is a large reason why there has been advancements in helmet safety, support groups, case management and community awareness over the past several years. I’ve come to terms with the fact that I will never fully understand the reasons why behind my brothers death, but I choose to reflect and seek out ways to make this experience helpful to the lives of others.
If you would like to support me in this endeavor to make a difference, there are two ways to donate; please visit https://www.pikespeakchallenge.com/team/team-jesse/
clicking ‘Make a Donation to this Team’. This is a special event of the Brain Injury Alliance of Colorado and you will be able to print a tax-deductible receipt for your donation. Some of you can use your company’s matching gifts program to increase your donation. The second way is to mail a check and send it to the address I have listed below. Make the check payble to BIAC and mail to:
Sherm Terry
1840 Starstone Court
Colorado Springs, CO 80919
Every dollar makes a difference and I appreciate any help you can give. Thank you for your support.
-Timothy N. Terry
-
David Klauber
$20.00 -
Pizza Mike
$20.00 -
Len Tamura
$100.00 -
Anonymous
$25.00 -
April Bishop
$20.00 -
Courtney Gerster
$15.00 -
Katie Mack
$25.00 -
Becca Matsumura
$50.00 -
Ted and Teresa Wilson
$50.00