NASCAR Racing Legend to Announce Major Initiative at Brain Injury Association of Michigan Event

NASCAR racing legend Ernie Irvan will join The Brain Injury Association (BIA) of Michigan for a major announcement at its annual Legacy Dinner on March 13, 2005 at St. John's Golf & Conference Center in Plymouth. The sold- out event, now in its 7th year, honors outstanding achievement in brain injury awareness, prevention and treatment.

"Ernie's announcement will have a direct impact on the growing epidemic of preventable traumatic brain injury in the United States," said Michael F. Dabbs, President of the BIA of Michigan. "Led by Ernie's desire to make a difference, this event will have the same impact on the legions of NASCAR fans across Michigan as a Super Bowl or Final Four."

Irvan was at the top of the NASCAR standings competing fiercely with Dale Earnhardt for the points championship in 1994 when he sustained life- threatening injuries in a horrific crash at Michigan International Speedway (MIS). Irvan triumphantly returned to the NASCAR circuit after the crash only to suffer a career-ending traumatic brain injury in a crash at the same racetrack exactly five years to the day after the 1994 incident.

A limited number of complimentary media invitations are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Interview opportunities are available with Irvan, Dabbs, and national BIA spokespersons as well as local survivors of traumatic brain injuries. To attend the event, please contact Jennifer Thomas at (248) 506-7881.

The Legacy Dinner is held in March as part of a celebration of National Brain Injury Awareness Month. This campaign strives to build awareness of the BIA's mission to enhance the lives of those affected by brain injury through education, advocacy, research, support and prevention.

"Brain Injury affects 5.3 million people each year, with an additional 1.5 million people sustaining injuries each year." said Dabbs. "It is the leading epidemic in the United States, with an annual incidence rate that exceeds breast cancer and HIV/AIDS combined, and the worst part is that a majority of these injuries are preventable. That is why Brain Injury Awareness Month is so important."

BIA of Michigan was founded in 1981 by family members, persons with brain injury and persons in the brain injury profession. At the time, brain injuries were largely misunderstood and services for those affected were hard to find. In the years since its inception, much progress has been made in treating brain injuries, and BIAMI has expanded its focus to include prevention programs. BIAMI's mission is to enhance the lives of those affected by brain injury through education, advocacy, research and local support groups and to reduce the incidence of brain injury through prevention.

                   Brain Injury Association of Michigan
          8619 W. Grand River, Suite I, Brighton, MI  48116-2334
                              www.biami.org