TORONTO, September 25, 2015 — Nearly a thousand first-year undergrads – about 100 York U Lions athletes and 900 kinesiology students – will have breakfast for their brains on Monday, Sept. 28. They will learn first-hand about concussion from a victim’s mother, a survivor, and a researcher.
“Breakfast for your Brain: Donald Sanderson Memorial Perspectives on Concussion,” now in its fifth year, is named after a York U student who died tragically after sustaining a concussion during a hockey game. His mother Dahna Sanderson will open the session by telling his story.
“Knowledge about concussion is important for students early in their university and athletic careers,” says Professor Lauren Sergio, event organizer and sports injury researcher in the Faculty of Health. “They may use this knowledge personally and professionally as many go on to careers in health and medical sciences.”
Brittney Enright-Blount, currently a student in the Athletic Therapy Certificate program, will also share her own experience with concussion. Four years ago, the former member of the York U varsity field hockey team and the National Field Hockey team was forced into early retirement due to a complicated knee injury. Less than two years later, Enright-Blount was in a car accident resulting in a concussion.
To conclude the session, Professor Frances Flint in the School of Kinesiology and Health Science will offer an overview of the signs and symptoms of concussion and the role of athletic therapists in diagnosing and treating injured athletes. She will also compare the psychological reactions to injury when recovering from musculo-skeletal injury and concussion.
What: Breakfast for your Brain: 5th Donald Sanderson Memorial Perspectives on Concussion
- Dahna Sanderson, mother of hockey player and concussion victim Donald Sanderson
- Brittney Enright-Blount, concussion survivor and former member of the National Field Hockey team
- Sports Psychology Professor Frances Flint in the School of Kinesiology and Health Science
When: Monday, Sept. 28, 8:30am to 9:30am and 9:30am to10:30am. (two classes)
Where: Lecture Hall A, Lassonde Building (building 19 on map)
York University is known for championing new ways of thinking that drive teaching and research excellence. Our 52,000 students receive the education they need to create big ideas that make an impact on the world. Meaningful and sometimes unexpected careers result from cross-discipline programming, innovative course design and diverse experiential learning opportunities. York students and graduates push limits, achieve goals and find solutions to the world’s most pressing social challenges, empowered by a strong community that opens minds. York U is an internationally recognized research university – our 11 faculties and 24 research centres have partnerships with 200+ leading universities worldwide.
Media contact:
Gloria Suhasini, Media Relations, 416 736 2100 ext. 22094, Suhasini@yorku.ca
