GFELLER-WALLER CONCUSSION AWARENESS ACT
Gfeller-Waller Concussion Awareness Act
The Gfeller-Waller Concussion Awareness Act was drafted and implemented to protect the safety of student-athletes in North Carolina and was signed into law on June 16, 2011 by Governor Beverly Purdue. There are three major areas of focus in the law and these include: education, emergency action and postconcussion protocol implementation, and clearance/return to play or practice following concussion. A copy of the Gfeller-Waller Concussion Awareness Act is available here (PDF - 74 kb). Each school should maintain documentation that they are in compliance with the law.
The Gfeller-Waller Concussion Awareness Act was drafted and implemented to protect the safety of student-athletes in North Carolina and was signed into law on June 16, 2011 by Governor Beverly Purdue. There are three major areas of focus in the law and these include: education, emergency action and postconcussion protocol implementation, and clearance/return to play or practice following concussion. A copy of the Gfeller-Waller Concussion Awareness Act is available here (PDF - 74 kb). Each school should maintain documentation that they are in compliance with the law.
Gfeller-Waller Concussion Act signed into law (Winston-Salem Journal)
On Thursday, Gov. Bev Perdue signed into law the Gfeller-Waller Concussion Awareness Act. The bill is named after two students in the state who died on the football field due to head injuries.
Matthew Gfeller, 15, was playing in his first varsity game as a sophomore for Reynolds when he suffered intracranial bleeding after a helmet-to-helmet collision in the fourth quarter of the season opener in August 2008.
Four weeks later, Jaquan Waller, 16, a junior at J.H. Rose High School in Greenville, died from “second-impact syndrome,” which is a swelling of the brain caused when a person who has suffered a concussion receives another blow to the head before the prior injury has had time to heal.
Gfeller’s death has had significant impact in North Carolina. In addition to the law that was signed Thursday, the Matthew A. Gfeller Sport-Related Traumatic Brain Injury Research Center was founded at UNC Chapel Hill in 2009 for research on prevention, management and rehabilitation of sport-related traumatic brain injuries.
“The law underscores the importance of having an emergency action plan in place. The emphasis is on the need for education about these injuries and I think that policy will help keep kids safe,” said Dr. Kevin Guskiewicz, director of the center.
The legislation takes many of the rules and guidelines from the State Board of Education and makes them law. Schools now are required to have an emergency action plan in place and a doctor or certified athletic trainer must give consent for the student to return to play.
Full Article
Posted on June 26, 2011 by Matthew Alan Gfeller Foundation in Legislation, Prevention
Matthew Gfeller, 15, was playing in his first varsity game as a sophomore for Reynolds when he suffered intracranial bleeding after a helmet-to-helmet collision in the fourth quarter of the season opener in August 2008.
Four weeks later, Jaquan Waller, 16, a junior at J.H. Rose High School in Greenville, died from “second-impact syndrome,” which is a swelling of the brain caused when a person who has suffered a concussion receives another blow to the head before the prior injury has had time to heal.
Gfeller’s death has had significant impact in North Carolina. In addition to the law that was signed Thursday, the Matthew A. Gfeller Sport-Related Traumatic Brain Injury Research Center was founded at UNC Chapel Hill in 2009 for research on prevention, management and rehabilitation of sport-related traumatic brain injuries.
“The law underscores the importance of having an emergency action plan in place. The emphasis is on the need for education about these injuries and I think that policy will help keep kids safe,” said Dr. Kevin Guskiewicz, director of the center.
The legislation takes many of the rules and guidelines from the State Board of Education and makes them law. Schools now are required to have an emergency action plan in place and a doctor or certified athletic trainer must give consent for the student to return to play.
Full Article
Posted on June 26, 2011 by Matthew Alan Gfeller Foundation in Legislation, Prevention
Matthew-Gfeller Foundation
Welcome to the site!
A short video of Kevin Guskiewicz welcoming you to the Matthew Gfeller Foundation Website. He is the Director of the Matthew Gfeller Sport-Related Traumatic Brain Injury Research Center. Download a copy of our latest newsletter (PDF) » Donate to the Matthew Gfeller Foundation
Your tax-deductible contribution helps the Matthew Gfeller Foundation invest in projects that aid in the prevention, recognition and treatment of sports related traumatic brain injuries. In addition, your donation funds comprehensive research at the Matthew Gfeller Sport-Related Traumatic Brain Injury Research Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. |
Matthew’s Story & Legacy
Matthew Alan Gfeller was a passionate young man from an early age. A natural leader who was comfortable on stage singing or giving a speech, rallying his friends for a great adventure, planning the next vacation with his brother and sister, or leading his team onto the field. He was an idea man and a goal setter. Memorial Doughnut Run
Help us reach three goals: 1. Remember Matt 2. Raise Money for Traumatic Brain Injury Research 3. Bring our community together |
Matthew Gfeller Center at UNC-Chapel Hill
Through clinical and research initiatives, the Matthew Gfeller Sport-Related Traumatic Brain Injury Research Center demonstrates its commitment to providing the highest level of care for athletes of all ages suffering from sport-related brain injuries, and to assist parents, coaches, and medical professionals in managing these student-athletes. Sports Safety Spectacular
July 30, 2011: A mini-camp for players, parents, coaches, and athletic trainers to learn about the risks of concussive injuries in football and how to prevent them. Join us for a fun-filled day of sports safety information and activities. Help us encourage our kids to PLAY IT SAFE! |
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or by phone at 828-488-2152.
or by phone at 828-488-2152.