Dinner-dance raises funds for BIAOR

The Brain Injury Alliance of Oregon (BIAOR) and The Lodge at Suttle Lake are hosting a dinner and dance fundraiser on November 2 to support efforts for prevention, advocacy, education and research in concussions, traumatic brain injuries and strokes. BIAOR is also celebrating the successful passage of Senate Bill 721, "Jenna's Law," which protects young Oregon athletes who have suffered possible brain injuries or concussions in non-school sports.

The law will become active in January 2014.

Master of Ceremonies for the evening is Brian Whitcomb, past president of the Professional Golf Association. Whitcomb, godfather of Jenna Sneva, for whom Jenna's Law was named, said, "We've always been proud of Jenna's accomplishments on the mountain, but never as proud as her current efforts to keep athletes off the mountain of despair by eliminating long-term traumatic brain injuries."

Guests will sample hors d'oeuvres while perusing remarkable silent-auction items including footballs autographed by NFL players Dan Fouts, Joey Harrington, and Ken Ruettgers; powder skis; three nights at a luxury spa; golf clubs; a fly-fishing trip; shopping passes; and more.

Fine dining on tenderloin, leg of lamb, and salmon will set the stage for a short video presentation of Jenna's story. There will be special recognition of the Senate bill sponsor, Senator Elizabeth Steiner-Hayward, along with tireless campaigners who were instrumental in getting Jenna's Law passed in the Oregon Legislature: BIAOR Director Sherry Stock; attorney David Kracke; Dr. Jim Chesnutt, MD; and Senator Tim Knopp.

Jenna Sneva, the young woman whose three-year determination to create this law, despite her own personal challenges of traumatic brain injury, will speak about her life and experiences with post-concussion syndrome at the close of the program.

A variety of music will lend the rest of the evening to dancing and enjoyment into the night.

Tickets for the event at The Lodge at Suttle Lake can be purchased at http://www.bia

oregon.org/fundraiser.htm with a credit card or PayPal. The odd pricing of the tickets honors the number of Jenna's bib in her last ski race at the USASA Nationals, 2010.