Welcome Packet

Information Packet 2012

Campion Trails Sam Houston Trail Park 101 E. Lyndon B. Johnson Fwy. (I-635), Irving, Texas When: March 24, 2012 Check-in: 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Walk Begins: 9 a.m.

Walk Ends: Noon

Benefitting Brain Injury Communities Across Texas

Welcome Thank you for joining the first-ever Texas Walk For Thought. This exciting event celebrates the achievements of brain injury survivors, their families, friends and caregivers. Its goal is to raise both brain injury awareness and funds to benefit brain injury communities across Texas.

Remember, brain injuries do not discriminate. ANYTIME, ANYWHERE, ANYONE.

Participant Information Your participation will not only raise brain injury awareness in your community, but also raise funds which support programs, resources and services for those effected by brain injury. And it will be fun. Whether you choose to walk or not, you can still support the brain injury community by asking friends, family, coworkers and others to donate to the Texas Walk for Thought, a vital event for providing brain injury support, information and resources across Texas.

How to start raising funds and get a T-shirt Just by registering and paying the small entry fee, you’ve started. You’ll receive the official Texas Walk For Thought T-shirt. (Select your size on the registration form online or in this Information Packet.) At the Walk you’ll find gifts, prizes and hear great music, plus exhibitors will provide important information resources and more.

Once you’ve registered, you get your own online Personal Fundraising web page where you can begin your fundraising campaign, build your team, if desired, and keep track of it all. You’ll get a •

General photo (or upload your own)

•

Brief pre-written message asking for support (or you can write your own)

•

List of current participants

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“Support Me” button that takes a potential donor to an easy-to-use secure online credit card payment page

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Nice “Thank You” note emailed to donor for the support

You can encourage friendly competition between teams to see who can raise the most money, and don't forget to use the social media tools available to aid you in your fundraising efforts.

Remember, most of the proceeds will benefit brain injury communities throughout Texas.

Please feel free to contact a Texas Walk For Thought volunteer at the Walk if you have any questions.

Patti Davis Jane Boutte

469.652.3786 | 972.580.8500 | pdavis@neuroskills.com 214.763.9517 | 972.580.8500 | jboutte@neuroskills.com

Event Details Campion Trails Sam Houston Trail Park 101 E. Lyndon B. Johnson Fwy. (I-635), Irving, Texas When: March 24, 2012 Check-in: 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Walk Begins: 9 a.m.

Walk Ends: Noon

Registration Cutoff:

03/23/2012 10:00 pm

Donation Cutoff:

05/31/2012 12:00 pm

Contact:

Patti Davis

Phone:

469-652-3786

E-mail:

pdavis@neuroskills.com

Directions From the East: Take 635 West to 190 North exit. Take exit up to light, go thru light and make an immediate right to the park entrance.

From the West: Take 635 East to Riverside Dr. / Valley View Lane Exit. Stay on service road up to light. Turn left on to SH 161, then left at light for 635 East. Take an immediate right and turn into the park entrance.

From the North: Take 190 South to Valley View and turn right. Then right on service road and immediate right into the park entrance.

From the South: Take 190 North to MacArthur exit. Stay on service road to George Bush to light for 635 East. Turn left at the light and then make an immediate right into the park entrance.

Google map link

Texas Walk for Thought 16 Tips for Great Fundraising Success 1.

Be enthusiastic. Share your passion for the Texas Walk. Help people feel good about supporting you. If you are confident when you ask for support, people will see that. Be relaxed, and use the style that works best for you.

Also be prepared to spend different amounts of time with each person — some want or need more info than others.

2.

Have a plan. Set a fundraising goal. Next, make a list of who you’ll ask first -those most likely to contribute. Then a second-tier list. Keep track of your progress using the thermometer. Your goal? Try for $100 from 10 people – 10 from 10.

3.

Make your own pledge first. Register online and pay the small registration fee at http://biacal.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.eventDetails&e ventID=534. Your action will encourage others to register.

4.

The primary way to raise funds is to ask everyone — use networks, holiday card lists, e-mail lists, Facebook networks, where you shop/are a customer, etc.

5.

Most importantly, remember to ask for the money. Don’t forget things like asking people to ask their friends for you. Ask people if their companies will match their pledge. Take pledge forms and info everywhere you go. Stay upbeat. Restate that money raised will be used to help brain injury survivors live a better life.

6.

Give contributors a place to contribute. Build your Texas Walk For Thought web page. It’s easy, really. Go online and check it out

7.

Post your website address wherever you can…on Twitter, Facebook, the bottom of all email you send, a bulletin board at school, your work, gym, church or elsewhere.

8.

Make a button that says “Ask me about TWFT”

9.

Ask your employer (or another business) to sponsor you with a matching gift. It’s a good way to double your money. Contact your human resources department to start.

10.

Send an email or letter to family and friends. Explain why the Texas Walk For Thought is really important.

Share your story and your enthusiasm. Include a link to your web page. Follow up with a call or personal visit.

11.

“No.” When you hear it, don’t feel discouraged or rejected. It’s natural. Just go on to the next person. If you do get discouraged, contact a TWFT Committee member — we’ll get you fired up again.

12.

Say “Thank You.” And send a tax receipt if necessary. Tell supporters how the Walk went and how much was raised to benefit brain injury communities across the state.

13.

Include a candy bar with paychecks at work. Include a note saying it is a sweet time to make a donation for the Walk for Thought!

14.

If you work for a company that has more than one team, compete for being the top fundraiser.

15.

All donations help provide services to people affected by brain injury like free resource facilitation, brain injury basics, and mentoring. It also helps support our state wide brain injury prevention and education services.

Checks should be made payable to Brain Injury Association of America Texas WFT 3317 Red Bird Lane Grapevine, TX 76051

Sample email to ask for pledges Items in [brackets] should most definitely be tweaked to fit the specifics of your participation .

Dear [Name], This spring, I will be joining the TEXAS WALK FOR THOUGHT to raise brain injury awareness and to raise money for benefitting those with a brain injury and their families, friends and caregivers. On March 24, I will be walking up to 5 miles with hundreds of others whose lives have been touched by the ravages of brain injury.

We will be walking on the new Campion Trails along the beautiful Trinity River in the Sam Houston Trail Park in Irving.

Please consider pledging an amount that is significant to you -- it's a great cause. The real story is the one embedded in the lives of brain injury survivors, their families, friends, and caregivers. It goes far beyond the numbers and statistics. The personal impact of brain injury can be devastating. It can create despair for individuals, upheaval in families, and a need for long-term or even life-long assistance to carry out the most basic activities of daily living.

TEXAS WALK FOR THOUGHT is a Statewide and Community Awareness Campaign held yearly in many states throughout the nation. I'd be happy to tell you more about the Walk and how it will benefit the brain injury communities in Texas -- or you can visit the Texas Walk for Thought website for more information at biacal.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.eventDetails&eventID=534 (The Brain Injury Association of California is working with the Texas Walk Committee by hosting the registration website this year.)

When you pledge online I will be notified of your pledge. If you'd like to give me the pledge directly, or mail it in, please write "TWFT Pledge" and my name in the memo line. Pledges can be sent to me or to Texas WFT, 3317 Red Bird Lane, Grapevine, TX 76051 The Texas WFT Committee will send you a thank you and a tax receipt.

Thanks in advance for your support. Please let me know if you have any questions or need more information.

[Your name]

Dear Friends, The Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) is the country’s oldest and largest nationwide brain injury advocacy organization. Its mission is to be the voice of brain injury. Through advocacy, education and research, it brings help, hope and healing to millions of individuals living with brain injury, their families and the professionals who serve them.

BIAA was founded by individuals who wanted to improve the quality of life for their family members and patients who had sustained brain injuries. The Association began in 1980 when Dr. Martin and Marilyn Price Spivack invited five family members and professionals to their home to discuss forming an organization to help individuals with brain injury. By afternoon’s end, the commitment to create the National Head Injury Foundation was made. More than a decade later the national association formally reached out to several states to create The State’s Assembly (now known as the State Affiliate Assembly) to foster training and networking among state associations.

BIAA and its nationwide network of chartered state affiliates provides direct support, information, resources, education and advocacy for individuals living with brain injury, their friends and family, professionals who provide research, treatment and services, and the general public. This includes: • • • • • •

Education aimed at preventing brain injury Education designed to develop a clear understanding of brain injury throughout society Information to bring help, hope and healing to brain injury survivors, their families and caregivers Advocacy for public policy while implementing community and legislative initiatives Support for research Support for brain injury treatment, medical management, and resources to provide lifelong quality of life after brain injury

An estimated 1.7 million traumatic brain injury deaths, emergency room visits, and hospitalizations occur annually in the United States. Each year 144,000 Texan’s sustain a traumatic brain injury, and 479,000 Texan’s live with TBI and related disease. The number increases substantially when you add in the number of acquired and undiagnosed injuries. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) further estimates the financial tally of direct medical costs, combined with indirect costs such as lost productivity, add up to almost 60 billion dollars.

The real story is the one embedded in the lives of brain injury survivors, their families, friends, and caregivers. It goes far beyond the numbers and statistics. The personal impact of brain injury can be devastating. It can create despair for individuals, upheaval in families, and a need for long-term or even life-long assistance to carry out the most basic activities of daily living.

WALK FOR THOUGHT is a Statewide and Community Awareness Campaign held yearly in many states throughout the nation.

BIAA seeks to team up with brain injury survivors, nonprofit organizations serving survivors and their caregivers, and with community brain injury advocates, professionals, and providers to create this Statewide Walk for Thought in Texas during March (Brain Injury Awareness Month). This Walk for Thought will achieve numerous goals: • • • •

Raise awareness of brain injury and the needs for persons who have sustained a brain injury Provide information and resources on the local, state and federal levels Provide prevention information and materials Generate revenue critical for supporting services and programs. BIAA has established generous profit-sharing opportunities for host organizations to help maintain vital support in their communities.

My Best, Jane C. Boutte, VP CNS Innovations Texas Walk For Thought Co-Chair-BIAA

2012 Texas Walk For Thought Host Organizations and Sponsors Special thanks to the generous sponsors and donors of the Texas Walk For Thought. With their kind support and the equally generous support of walkers and others we will have a successful Walk.

The Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) is the country’s oldest and largest nationwide brain injury advocacy organization. Our mission is to be the voice of brain injury. Through advocacy, education and research, we bring help, hope and healing to millions of individuals living with brain injury, their families and the professionals who serve them.

Your rehabilitation and restored independence are our goals. And we understand you will walk your own unique journey to get there.

Whether you need us in the hospital, in an outpatient setting or in your home, we are committed to your care.

The mission of CNS is to reduce disability, maximize independence, and achieve the maximum possible quality of life for clients who have suffered brain injury within the patient’s existing financial constraints.

Our greatest asset is the experience of our senior management team.

This experience combined with our passion for what we do has enabled us to create a company focused on: Trust, Quality, Ethics and Relationships.

To improve health care in our community, Texas, our nation, and the world through innovation and education; To educate the next generation of leaders in patient care, biomedical science and disease prevention; To conduct high-impact, internationally recognized research; and To deliver patient care that brings UT Southwestern’s scientific advances to the bedside — focusing on quality, safety and service.

At Pate, we strive to always treat others as we, ourselves, would like to be treated. In doing so, we maintain respect and understanding for those who have different expectations than our own. Our dealings with others are intended to convey honesty, respect, compassion, understanding, and gratitude.

TLC's not-for-profit mission is three-fold, encompassing treatment, research and education in the field of brain injury rehabilitation.

CORE Health Care understands the stress and anxiety families experience when a loved one is diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury, complex psychiatric disorder, autism or other special need. We offer multi-leveled solutions to complex problems, and we promote partnerships with families to help determine the best possible approaches.

Facts About Brain Injury Brain Injury in Texas •

144,000 Texans sustain a traumatic brain injury each year, one every 4 minutes,

•

More than 479,000 Texans live with a disability due to a TBI

•

More than 5,700 are permanently disabled by traumatic brain injury each year.

Brain Injury in the United States •

1.7 million people sustain a brain injury every year

•

52,000 die

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275,000 are hospitalized

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1.365 million, nearly 80%, are treated and released from an emergency room.

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5.3 million Americans - a little more than 2% of the U.S. population- currently live with disabilities resulting from brain injury.

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Direct and indirect costs of TBI was nearly $77 billion in 2000

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Every 21 seconds an infant, child, teenager or adult in the U.S. sustains a traumatic brain injury Each day 4,100 individuals sustain a traumatic brain injury.

•

Fewer than 1 in 20 people with traumatic brain injury will receive the rehabilitation that they need.

•

TBI is the leading cause of death and disability among children and young adults.

•

TBI is the 4th leading cause of death overall.

•

TBI results in 1-1/2 times more deaths each year than AIDS.

•

Each year 275,000 persons are hospitalized with traumatic brain injury and survive.

•

Falls are leading causes of traumatic brain injury for persons 65 and older.

•

Transportation related injuries are leading causes of traumatic brain injury among persons 15-64.

•

More than 50% of all motor vehicle accidents resulting in TBI involve alcohol.

•

Traumatic brain injury accounts for more years of lost productivity than any other injury.

Your Pledge Record Texas Walk For Thought 2012, Irving, Texas NAME

ADDRESS

Name: _________________________ PLEDGE AMOUNT

TEAM

RECEIVED

$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $

Total Amount Received

$

Register online at http://biacal.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.eventDetails&eventID=534 or complete this registration form with credit card information or check payable to BIAA and mail to WFT 3317 Red Bird Lane, Grapevine, TX 76051 Name

Address

Street

Address Phone

City

State E-Mail

ZIP

Registration Fees  Students K-12

$ 25

 Walker

$ 25

 Walker with Brain Injury

$ 15

Please indicate  I am walking as an individual  I am walking for a team

Team Name

 I am Team Captain

Walk T-Shirt size (Please circle) Child: SM M L

Adult: SM M L XL XXL

I am walking  In honor of  In memory of  In support of brain injury survivors in Texas  I am unable to walk, but please accept my tax deductable donation for $ ______

Paying by Credit Card?

For Payment by Credit Card Online | Use Form Below Name on Card Address

Street

Address

City

State

ZIP

Credit Card Number Expiration Date Authorized Amount

Security Code

$

Signature

Mail to:

Waiver – I hereby waive all claims against Brain Injury Association of America, Personnel, Volunteers and Exhibitors for any injury that I may suffer from my participation in this event. I grant full permission for Brain Injury Association of America to use photographs, video tapes, recordings, or any other record of this event in which I may appear for any legitimate reason.

3317 Red Bird Lane

Signature ___________________________

Paying by Check?

Make checks payable to BIAA

(Parent / Legal Guardian if participant is under 18)

Grapevine, TX 76051

Date _________________________

Company Name

Contact Name

Address

City

Phone

E-Mail

State

ZIP

$10,000 ELITE SPONSOR • • • • •

Logo on the WFT registration website with a link to your organization’s website Logo will be given top tier level on each of the walk site posters, t-shirts, and banners Signage recognition along the walk path of each walk site Unlimited participant registration for one or more designated walk sites (must sign and complete the attached form) Exhibit table at one or more of the designated walk sites

$3,000 PLATINUM SPONSOR • • • • •

Logo on the WFT registration website with a link to your organization’s website Logo on the WFT t-shirt and banner Exhibit table at the WFT site Signage recognition along the walk path Registration for 20 designated individuals to participate in the WFT (must sign and complete the attached form)

$1,500 GOLD SPONSOR • • • • •

Logo on the WFT registration website Logo on the WFT t-shirt and banner Exhibit table at the WFT site Signage recognition along the walk path Registration for 15 designated individuals to participate in the WFT (must sign and complete the attached form)

$1,000 SILVER SPONSOR • • • • •

Logo on the WFT registration website Logo on the WFT t-shirt and banner Exhibit table at the WFT site Signage recognition along the walk path Registration for 10 designated individuals to participate in the WFT (must sign and complete the attached form)

$500 BRONZE SPONSOR / FOR-PROFIT EXHIBITOR • • • • •

Name recognition on the WFT registration website Logo on the WFT t-shirt and banner Exhibit table at the WFT site Signage recognition along the walk path Registration for 5 designated individuals to participate in the WFT (must sign and complete the attached form)

$150 EXHIBITOR (NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS ONLY) • • •

Name recognition on the WFT t-shirt and banner Exhibit table at the WFT site Registration for 1 designated individual to participate in the WFT (must sign and complete the attached form)

IN-KIND SPONSOR • •

Name recognition on the WFT banner In-Kind sponsors gift donors will receive equal benefits per the above based on the value of the donation. Please provide value $______________

Completed sponsor form and logo must be submitted to by March 1 for inclusion on the Walk For Thought T-Shirt All proceeds benefit the Brain Injury Association of America and will fund programs and services in Texas Please make checks payable to BIAA and return sponsor forms and checks to BIAA at 3317 Red Bird Lane, Grapevine, TX 76051 For credit card payments, please go to www.biausa.org and click on the WFT link BIAA Tax ID 04-2716222

.

Please e-mail logos to Patti Davis at pdavis@neuroskills.com by the designated due date noted above.

COMPANY NAME: Elite Sponsor Platinum Sponsor Gold Sponsor Silver Sponsor Bronze Sponsor Exhibitor -

NAME

T-SHIRT SIZE

$10,000 $ 3,000 $ 1,500 $ 1,000 $ 500 $ 150

Unlimited Walkers 20 Walkers 15 Walkers 10 Walkers 5 Walkers 1 Walker SIGNATURE (Registration is

EMAIL ADDRESS

not valid without signature to acknowledge the Waiver below)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Waiver – I hereby waive all claims against Brain Injury Association of America, Personnel, Volunteers and Exhibitors for any injury that I may suffer from my participation in this event. I grant full permission for Brain Injury Association of America to use photographs, video tapes, recordings, or any other record of this event in which I may appear for any legitimate reason.

COMPANY NAME: Texas Walk For Thought

March 24, 2012

Irving, Texas

Sponsorship Amount

Make checks payable to BIAA Mail to: 3317 Red Bird Lane Grapevine, TX 76051 For Payment by Credit Card Online | Use Form Below Name on Card Address

Street

Address

City

State

Credit Card Number Expiration Date Authorized Amount Signature

Security Code

$

ZIP

$