TORONTO, ON, September 18, 2024 – In a strong commitment to advancing brain health and safety in sports, Ontario’s Minister of Sport, Hon. Neil Lumsden, announced his decision to donate his brain to the Concussion Legacy Foundation Canada (CLFC) for research on brain injuries, at a press conference hosted at the University of Toronto’s Varsity Stadium at 10:00 AM September 18th. This announcement aligns with Minister Lumsden’s ongoing advocacy for comprehensive brain injury legislation at the federal, provincial, and territorial levels, modeled after Ontario’s Rowan’s Law, which is Canada’s first and only legislation to address athletes’ brain health.
Brain donations are pivotal to the research that will unlock critical insights into the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a neurodegenerative disease linked to repetitive head trauma. Minister Lumsden’s pledge highlights his dedication to safeguarding athletes at all levels, while his call for nationwide legislation underscores the need for consistent brain injury protocols across Canada.
"I am fortunate to have played a high-collision sport for many years without experiencing any negative effects from concussions, but many of my teammates have not been as lucky,” said Minister Lumsden. “With this donation, I hope to support ongoing research that will help protect athletes in the future. However, individual actions alone are not enough – I urge our federal, provincial, and territorial partners to follow Ontario’s lead and enact Rowan’s Law to protect young athletes – and athletes of all ages - nationwide.”
In addition, the Ontario Ministry of Sport is providing up to $52,500 to CLFC who is partnering with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) on a research project on traumatic brain injuries. This funding will enable the collection and analysis of data on the incidence of head injuries and associated mental health issues in sports, informing future prevention and treatment efforts.
Research Project Overview:
- Title: Econometrics of Head Injuries in Athletes
- Lead Investigator: Dr. Jesse Young, Scientist, CAMH
- Funding: $52,500 from the Ontario Ministry of Sport
- Objectives: To explore incidence of brain injuries and the psychological effects of concussions and repetitive head impacts
- Duration: 12 months
- Location: CAMH, Toronto, Ontario
“For the first time in Ontario, this province-wide project will establish the patterns of, and risk factors for sports-related traumatic brain injury and examine its impact on mental health,” said Dr. Jesse Young, CAMH Scientist and lead investigator.
Tim Fleiszer, Executive Director of Concussion Legacy Foundation Canada, praised Minister Lumsden’s leadership: “Minister Lumsden’s decision to donate his brain and his advocacy for brain injury legislation are encouraging steps forward in our collective efforts to combat brain injuries. His dedication will inspire both positive change in policy and advancements in research, ultimately making sports safer across the country.”
Minister Lumsden joins a distinguished group of athletes who have pledged their brains to research, including Canadian athletes Hayley Wickenheiser (hockey), Cassie Campbell-Pascall (hockey), Jonathan Huberdeau (hockey) and Jen Kish (rugby), and American footballer Andy Fantuz.
Rowan’s Law, named in memory of high school rugby player Rowan Stringer, who passed away from complications due to multiple concussions, serves as a model for concussion safety legislation in Canada.
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About Concussion Legacy Foundation Canada
The Concussion Legacy Foundation Canada (CLFC) was founded in December of 2012 by Tim Fleiszer, and received its charitable status in 2014. CLFC is committed to advancing the study, treatment, and prevention of concussions, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), and other brain injuries. CLFC's mission is to create safer sports and protect athletes through cutting-edge research, education, and innovation. CLFC envisions a future without CTE, and concussion safety without compromise.
About the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is Canada's largest mental health and addiction teaching hospital and a world leading research centre in this field. CAMH combines clinical care, research, education, policy development and health promotion to help transform the lives of people affected by mental illness and addiction. CAMH is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto, and is a Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization Collaborating Centre. For more information, please visit camh.ca or follow @CAMHnews on X (formerly known as Twitter).
For more information or to schedule interviews with CLFC representatives, please contact:
Edina Bijvoet
Concussion Legacy Foundation Canada
Email: bijvoet@concussionfoundation.ca
To schedule interviews with Minister Lumsden, please contact:
Wesley Austin,
Minister Lumsden’s Office
Email: wesley.austin@ontario.ca
To schedule interviews with CAMH representatives, please contact:
Hayley Clark
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Email: media@camh.ca
