Buffalo, NY – May 14, 2012 – PUCCS (Program for Understanding Childhood Concussion and Stroke) has awarded two grants in support of childhood concussion and stroke research.
University at Buffalo, Department of Orthopaedics has been awarded a one-year grant in the amount of $41,825 which will fund two studies. The first study will research acute concussion and recovery in high school age athletes and the second, a Buffalo Bills/Sabres Alumni study, will assess for early signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a progressive degenerative disease diagnosed post-mortem in individuals with a history of multiple concussions. The Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) has been awarded $15,000 to underwrite a CNS Subspecialty Fellowship Award, based on the aims and mission statement of PUCCS.
Dr. Elad Levy, Professor of Neurosurgery, Radiology, University at Buffalo Neurosurgery and Director and Founder, PUCCS, says, “The goal of PUCCS is twofold: the first is to raise awareness and educate the community about concussion and ‘return to play’ rules for young athletes. The second goal is to generate funding in support of research so we can better understand what causes concussion, how we can prevent concussion, and how we can treat concussion. We want to make parents, coaches and the community aware of the devastating effects a major concussion can have on our children. We are thrilled to be able to award these grants that will further our mission of concussion and stroke education and research.”
These grants were awarded as a result of funds raised at the first annual PUCCS Charity Hockey Tournament in November, 2011. The inaugural event raised over $100,000 and featured a championship game between the highest fundraising amateur team and the Buffalo Sabres Alumni. The 2012 PUCCS Charity Hockey Tournament will be held November 23 – 25, 2012 at Holiday Twin Rinks and Leisure Rinks. For more information, go to www.puccs.org