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BACKGROUND
Back in 2012, local entrepreneur and philanthropist Rob Staffen, his son Matt, and a few close friends were enjoying a day of cycling in Joshua Tree National Park, Palm Springs, California. As many have experienced, life can change in a split second, which is exactly what occurred on that very day. Rob fell off his bike at a high speed and suffered a severe brain injury. Through a strong mental fortitude combined with wonderful care at both the Stratford General Hospital and Parkwood Hospital in London, Ontario, Rob is on his way to an amazing recovery.
Rob’s family and friends have learned, first hand, how little we actually knew about mental health and traumatic brain injuries. Through Rob’s recovery, we have realized that we could take this knowledge and build our resources towards helping others. Rob & Sharon Staffen, alongside their three children: Julia, Matt and Candra decided to start the Brain & Mind Matters (BAMM) Community Fund as a way to give back. Over the past few years, the relentless BAMM committee has raised nearly $400,000 for mental health and brain injuries AND with the support of the Cowan Foundation and RBC, have granted out over $130,000 with a focus on outpatient care in these two areas.
COMMUNITY FUND VISION
Our vision is to support mental health and traumatic brain injuries by putting the proceeds of donations towards a community fund held through the Stratford Perth Community Foundation.
Our desire is twofold: to support outpatient care for individuals suffering from traumatic brain injuries through Parkwood Hospital in concert with the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance. Second, our vision is to help provide funding and ongoing support for mental health via local agencies in Perth County. Approximately 20% of Canadians will be diagnosed with a mental illness in their lifetime, with another 50% suffering in the dark, without support.
COMMUNITY FUND UPDATE
Fund Balance: exceeds $400,000
Total Amount Granted (to date): exceeds $130,000
MY BRAIN PACER APP
Much like points tracking used by dieters to monitor food choices, through MyBrainPacer™ App, users can assign values to tasks like driving, grocery shopping, screen use and exercise so they can plan and pace their daily activity. Individual users are given a total number of points per day that will keep their symptoms in the “safe range” and are encouraged to increase their points as their recovery progresses. The concept, based from St. Joseph’s Pacing and Planning Program, has helped hundreds of St. Joseph’s rehabilitation patients achieve their recovery goals. MyBrainPacer™ was made possible through generous donations to St. Joseph's Health Care Foundation, including a substantial donation from the Brain & Mind Matters Community Fund. For more information, click here.
Users can login to the The MyBrainPacer App through this website: click here.
CONTACTS
For more information on the Community Fund, please contact the following:
| Name: | Rob Staffen |
| Telephone: | 519.857.7985 |
| e-mail: | staffen@quadro.net |