Concussions will be the hot topic next week as the second annual See the Line symposium will shine the spotlight on the dangers of these sports-related injuries.
The awareness and fundraising event, which includes education sessions for medical professionals, a free community symposium, and a fundraising gala, will be chaired by former NHL player Eric Lindros, with Hockey Night in Canada’s Ron MacLean as gala emcee.
See the Line was organized in response to the growing prevalence of sport-related concussions that has seen athletes of all ages, male and female, suffering with these devastating and sometimes life-altering injuries. It is a collaborative initiative between the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, including Robarts Research Institute and the faculties of Health Sciences and Engineering, London Health Sciences Centre, St. Joseph’s Health Care London, Lawson Health Research Institute, Children’s Health Research Institute and the Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic.
The symposium combines the cumulative experience of world-class acute sport concussion clinical care and research leaders in London, with the aim of reducing the incidence of concussion, improving care through research, and educating athletes, coaches and parents about the serious impact of concussions.
“See the Line partners have become greater than the sum of our parts in tackling this problem,” said Schulich dean Dr. Michael Strong. “Coordinating efforts and exchanging ideas in an academic, research and clinical centre, like London, has proven extremely beneficial.”
The keynote speaker for both the medical education sessions and the community symposium is Dr. Bob Cantu, clinical professor of Neurosurgery, Boston University School of Medicine. He is also senior advisor to the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee and founding member, co-founder, medical director, and chairman Medical Advisory Board of the Sports Legacy Institute.
Lindros believes widespread collaboration is key and is a big reason for his endorsement of See the Line.
“Some fear the idea, others disregard the risk, and too many still simply don’t understand the crippling impact of this injury,” said Lindros. “Growing public awareness and understanding is crucial to the effort and together, we are going to change that.”
While the Aug. 13 education symposium is at full capacity, an evening gala dinner fundraiser is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the London Convention Centre. Funds raised will support concussion care and research at the Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic.
Sport notables attending the gala, along with Lindros, include former Western Mustang and current Hamilton Tiger Cats receiver Andy Fantuz, San Jose Sharks Logan Couture, Olympic alpine skiers Jan Hudec and Brian Stemmle, Olympic rower Marnie McBean, former Toronto Argonaut Jude St. John, former Anaheim Mighty Ducks captain Steve Rucchin, and former NHL Referee Don Van Massenhoven.