Brain Injury Association of RI set to host 7th Walk and Run

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There probably are not too many people who know the value of the Brain Injury Association of Rhode Island better than Karen and Carl Shewcov. After all, her son Ryan once sustained massive brain injuries – which required numerous surgeries – after being attacked at a downtown Providence nightspot several years ago.

And that’s why the Shewcovs – Ryan, Karen and Carl – will join dozens of volunteers Sunday when the Brain Injury Association hosts its annual Walk and Run inside picturesque Goddard Memorial State Park in Warwick.

Elizabeth Connallon, program director for the now East Providence-based non-profit organization, said organizers are “hoping to reach a combined goal of 250 runners and walkers.”

Sunday will make the 21st walk, but only the seventh straight year the 5K – or 3.1-mile – run has been held. Check-in is set for 7:30 a.m. at the Carousel Building, located near the beachfront at Goddard Park. Registration for the walk, run and picnic is $25 in advance and $30 Sunday.

“We’ll be giving t-shirts to the first 200 entries,” Connallon announced Monday. “We’ll also present prizes to the first three fundraising walkers and people can visit our website (www.biausa.org/ri) for ideas on how to create a team. Please, bring your family and friends for a great morning of fun.”

Connallon said the two-mile walk will begin at 9 a.m., 30 minutes after the 5K run steps off at 8:30 a.m. All the times of runners and walkers will be provided by 3C Race Productions, a company known for its management of such road running and walking events.

“This is a great way to get the word out about our association,” Connallon offered. “We want people to know about us – our mission – and what kind of services we can provide.”

The mission of the Brain Injury Association is “to prevent brain injury and to enhance the lives of those affected by brain injury.”

People like the Shewcovs, as well as staffers like Connallon and volunteers, also want people to know “you are not alone” and that the Brain Association is a statewide organization dedicated to providing support, education, advocacy, research and prevention.

Whether you are a person with a brain injury, a family member or friend of someone affected by brain injury, a professional working in this field or an interested member of the general public, the Brain Injury Association – Connallon and people like the Shewcovs will tell you – wants and hopes to be of service to anyone in need.

The Brain Association of Rhode Island dates back to 1983 and has evolved into a highly functional entity dealing with all aspects of brain injury. The non-profit started in a small 400-square-foot office in Pawtucket and grew into a roomy, 1,100-square-foot resourced center in Cranston.

In recent weeks, though, the Brain Association has moved to larger quarters at 1017 Waterman Ave. in East Providence. For more information call 228-3319.

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