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Biking For Brains - Riding accross America to raise Awareness and Support for Traumatic Brain Injury

Thanks to Coronado Bliss & Michael B. Copp, DDS for your recent sponsorship of the Biking For Brains and Wounded Warrior Project!!

Biking For Brains
On April 21st, I will start a bike tour across the United States. The purpose of the ride is to raise money and awareness for people who have been affected by Traumatic Brain Injury. Contributions will go the Wounded Warriors Project. This adventure is important to me due to my own brush with death through a Traumatic Brain Injury. I hope that my story will bring more awareness and support to those that have been impacted by TBI. Please help by contributing to this important cause!

For more information on how to contribute to this notable charity please visit one of the below websites:

Project website: http://www.bikingforbrains.com

Online contribution at the WWP Website: https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/individual-fundraising/bi...

Contributions for this event can be directed to the Wounded Warriors Project or to support the fundraising event.

The ride will be an adventure of a lifetime covering 2,904 miles, 9 states and 115 miles per day for 28 days.

My Story:

On Saturday, July 27th of 2009, I had a fall while wake boarding. The fall was no big deal; in fact, I continued to wakeboard and competed in the Solana Beach Sprint triathlon on Sunday. Monday was normal until 5:35 PM. My wife asked me a question and when I responded, my speech was slurred. My head immediately started to pound and when I checked my pulse, it was irregular and less than half my normal resting heart rate. I lay down on the kitchen floor and began to sweat profusely. Rapidly, my communication reduced to just hand signals. My wife called 911 and within 3 min the Coronado Fire Department paramedics arrived. The paramedics resuscitated me twice while in transit to the UCSD trauma unit. I was taken in for surgery to treat an acute subdural hematoma. Acute subdural hematomas are a specific type of TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) and are the most lethal of all head injuries. With the excellent care by the Coronado Fire Dept., UCSD and support from my family and Oceanside Glasstile, I have returned to excellent health. I continue to have dozens of minor seizures each day, but with medication, I live a relatively normal life.

Unfortunately, many of our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan are not so fortunate. TBI's are the signature injury for our soldiers in these wars. The injuries are caused by the pressure wave of blasts from insurgents’ homemade bombs, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and from flying debris or shrapnel. Traumatic brain injuries are complex and have a broad spectrum of symptoms and disabilities. The impact on our soldiers and their families can be devastating.

Please join me by making a contribution to WWP or sponsoring the fundraising event. Please see the WWP and the Biking forBrains website for more comprehensive information.

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Comment by Mayor Casey Tanaka on February 27, 2012 at 3:50pm: Greg, thank you for sharing your story. I didn't know how vulnerable our troops were to these kinds of brain injuries and I hope all of Coronado will support you and your cause. Best of luck!!

Comment by eCoronado on February 27, 2012 at 4:36pm: Greg - so glad you posted this. We will do all we can to promote this to our readers. We are inspired by you and your cause!

Staff Comment by Kellee Hearther on February 27, 2012 at 5:36pm: Wow, what a great story! So glad you are well again and putting out such great effort to educate others and support the WWP. We have supported them in the past as we have friends who suffer from TBI. Best of luck on your bike ride. :)

Comment by Pam Wehking on February 27, 2012 at 6:32pm: Dear Friends, We are so saddened to hear of Greg's trauma, but we know you & your family. And if there is one thing we know from our friendship w/ you, is that you are strong and capable of turning anything around and help bring about good things! Greg, we will not only support you, but our love and prayers will surround you. We are so thankful for your bravery to share your tragedy, but more importantly, that you are the kind of people who have courage to do something about it..... not just for yourself, but the many others who share stories w/ similar outcomes!

Comment by Lehr Family on February 27, 2012 at 7:59pm: Thanks for all your support and comments. I am looking forward to Coronado coming together to support this great cause. This fundraising for the Wounded Warrior Project is important and self explanatory. Traumatic Brain Injuries are scary and dangerous. When you get a chance, go to the Bikingforbrains.com website and there is a ton of information on Wounded Warrior Project, Traumatic Brain Injury, fundraising and information on the event. I will be blogging and sending pictures along the way via the website. Thanks!!

Comment by Coronado Bliss Salon & Spa on March 5, 2012 at 6:48pm: Greg,

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, for doing what you can for others.

We are Happy to be able to support Wounded Warrior Project through your efforts.

Comment by Lehr Family on March 5, 2012 at 9:01pm: Cindy - Thank you and your staff for supporting those affected by Traumatic Brain Injuries through the Wounded Warrior Project. Your contribution is generous, welcomed and appreciated. I feel very fortunate to live in a community where businesses and individuals come together for worthwhile causes!! Coronado Bliss Salon & Spa is a really important addition to the Coronado community and culture!

Thank you

Staff Comment by Kellee Hearther on April 19, 2012 at 9:45pm: Greg,

After visiting your bikingforbrains web site I noticed you are starting your trek in just two days...perhaps an update on eCoronado to remind the community what you are doing would be in order....if you have time! Best wishes on your journey.