Benefit supports brain injury research

By Mark Brown/Converged Citizen Staff

Hundreds of people turned out in both evening dress and costume to raise money for a local charity supporting head injury victims.

The gala, called Disney Dreams, was the primary event on the fundraising calendar for the University of Windsor’s Behaviour, Cognition and Neuroscience Student Association.  Sejal Joshi, president of the association, said that the Brain Injury Association of Windsor-Essex is part of a long line of charities the group has supported.

“Every year we host this charity gala for one charity that we select to fundraise for the duration of the year,” said Joshi.

Capitalizing on the success of a Harry Potter-themed event last year, the group chose a Disney theme for the benefit at the Fogolar Furlan Club.  Participants listened to a jazz singer perform standards and Disney songs, posed for Disney-themed photos and entered drawings for door prizes.  Some of the attendees even dressed as Disney characters.

Joshua Wright, vice-president of student affairs for the BCNSA, said that the group looked for input from students about the theme of the gala.

“One thing that did come up with a lot of people was a Disney-themed gala,” said Wright.  So we took it and rolled with it.”

The gala is one of many fundraising events put on by the BCNSA which has also done bake sales, bowling nights and masquerade events in the past.

The charity of choice for the group this year, the BIAWE, provides education and resources for Windsor-Essex residents affected by head injuries and their loved ones.  According to their website, traumatic brain injury and concussions are more prevalent than breast cancer, HIV and AIDS and spinal cord injuries.  Recent media attention has been on athletic-related concussions which, if left untreated, could lead to long-term issues such as depression.

Though the total funds raised from the gala were not readily available, Joshi says the group has been pleased with what they have raised over the years.

“In the last four years we have raised over $16,000 for local charities in Windsor,” said Joshi.

For further information about the BCNSA, contact (519) 253-3000 ext. 4759 or email [email protected].