The Hemi Foundation Dreams on Wings 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run 

 
The Hemispherectomy Foundation and Parker County Physical Therapy will host a 5K and 1-mile fun run/walk on Saturday, May 15.  "Dreams on Wings" will honor Aledo's Jessie Hall, a second grader who underwent radical surgery in which one half of her brain was removed.  All proceeds from the event will benefit The Hemispherectomy Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing emotional, financial and educational support for individuals and their families who have undergone or will undergo a hemispherectomy, or similar brain surgery. 
 
"The 2009 Dreams on Wings 5K was a great success! The foundation was able to raise just over $7000 for the children that we support.  Best of all, 10 families with children that have undergone hemispherectomy surgery attended the race!  Not one family had ever met another family that has walked in their shoes!  Can you imagine that?," said Kristi Hall, race chairwoman and president/ CEO of The Hemispherectomy Foundation.
 
The 1-mile fun run will start at 8:00 a.m. followed by the 5K at 8:30 a.m.  Both races will start at Parker County Physical Therapy located at 879 E. Eureka in Weatherford, Texas.  Individual awards will be given for overall and masters male and female winners, plus the top three male and female finishers in the following age groups:  5 and under, 6-8, 9-11, 12-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64 and 65+.  
Awards will be given for the largest Corporate, School and Family Teams. 
Participants can register online at www.hemifoundation.org (no fees!) or download registration forms.  Early registration ends May 9.  The pre-registration cost for adults is $25 and $30 on the day of the race.  For children under 6-12, the pre-registration cost is $20 and free for children ages 5 and under. Teams of 3 or more can register for $20 per individual.  New this year!  Sleep in and get the t-shirt!  Virtual Runner $30.  Registration forms and checks, made out to The Hemispherectomy Angels, Inc., can be mailed to The Hemispherectomy Foundation, P.O. Box 1239, Aledo, TX  76008.
 
For More Info, Click Here or Contact :
Kristi Hall
Kristi@Hemifoundation.org

 

 

The Hemi Foundation Family Retreat Indianapolis, Indiana July 8th - 11th 

 
Holly Paauwe, The Hemi Foundation Specialty Director of HME/CD is one busy person these days.   Besides being a director at The Hemi Foundation, she also runs the HME Family Support Network, and finds time to be with her family, John, Caiden, and Avery (Left Hemi 2006, 2008 HME)

 

But right now Holly's focus is on putting together The Hemi Foundation Family Retreat this summer.   This retreat is for everyone in the family and is going to be a GREAT chance for us Hemi families to hang-out, socialize, and enjoy the long weekend together.

 

Although there will be a few speakers, this event is focused around the word "Retreat".    It takes place at the beautiful Jameson Camp in Indianapolis, where you will feel like you are back in kid's summer camp with no cares in the world.  Camp Fires and Cabins will take you back to summer camp and build treasured memories.    Although you may feel like you are miles from nowhere, this camp is near all the modern conveniences that we need for our special families.  And if Summer Camp isn't your thing, you can always stay at a nearby hotel and come out for the family activities.  It's close and convenient.

 

There will be a special surprise this year, as the Epsteen Family will be filming The Hemispherectomy Foundation Family Video to be used for Public Relations, Education, and New Family Support.
 
We hope to see ALL of YOU there in July! 
 
For More Info, Click Here

 

 

International Hemispherectomy Workshop

 (continue from Previous Edition of Brain Matters, Article by Stella de Bode, PhD)

Another topic I wanted to share with you is the fact that we are organizing the First International Hemispherectomy Workshop, "Why Would You Remove Half a Brain?" in 2010 (9-29 to 10-2).  I already have UCLA, Cleveland and John Hopkins confirming their participation in addition to a number of European centers.  We will discuss all aspects of hemispherectomy: from indications, techniques and how not to miss a child who can clearly benefit from such surgery to outcomes and therapy.  We will also hold a satellite session for parents.  I have high hopes for this workshop.  I hope it will unite all of us around the globe to look together for even better information and methods.  I believe, this will translate into new approaches and, ultimately, more saved lives, better quality of life for more children.  I would like to invite you to spread a word to your neurologists and therapists about our Workshop in the University Medical Center Utrecht.  Utrecht is one of the largest Dutch cities and is only 40 minutes from the Amsterdam airport.  If you decide to come and need a place to stay you are always welcome in my house!  I am considering opening a forum to collect your questions and concerns so that a panel of specialists during the workshop would answer the most frequent questions.  If you think this is a good idea, please, write to me, and I will collect and process all questions. 
Thank you all of you, my warmest wishes in 2010 and much love,
Yours, Stella

Stella de Bode, PhD (UCLA)
Current Position: Ass Prof & Sen Researcher at the University Medical Center Utrecht, Netherlands
E-mail <sdebode@ucla.edu>
Specialization: brain reorganization following pediatric surgery  

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