SOUTHWICK – On August 20, 10 members of the BIA-MA (Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts) will be running in the 45th Annual New Balance Falmouth Road Race in Woods Hole on Cape Cod.
The BIA-MA is the first and oldest organization in the state that offers the support and resources to brain injury survivors as well as their families. The BIA-MA also includes prevention programs, educational training and legislative advocacy.
One of those running in the race is Southwick native Dawn LeBorgne. An avid runner, LeBorgne is participating in the event for her husband Matthew LeBorgne, who suffered a traumatic brain injury from a motorcycle accident on August 18, 2014.
LeBorgne was riding his motorcycle in Chicopee when he lost control of the bike and as a result spent 15 days in a coma.
Less than two months after the accident, in October 2014, while LeBorgne was residing at Spaulding Rehab in Charlestown, Mass., his family received a packet from the BIA-MA. Dawn began going to the BIA-MA support groups and finding out more information about what the organization offers.
Dawn is seen with her husband Matt and their children. Dawn is set to run in the 45th Annual Falmouth Road Race for the BIA-MA. (Photo courtesy of Dawn LeBorgne)
Dawn LeBorgne is also a part of the Walk and Roll Event that BIA-MA has which enables she and her husband to continue to build a strong relationship with the BIA-MA.
“’It’s a great organization, they really provide not just a lot of education, but a lot of support,” said LeBorgne. “A lot of people don’t know about brain injuries, it can be such an invisible injury, he (Matthew) suffers every day and there are so many people like him.”
After finding out in May that she had been one of the 10 members selected to run in the Falmouth Road Race for BIA-MA, LeBorgne was told that she had a major commitment to make; having to raise $900 prior to the race on August 20. If $900 isn’t raised by then, LeBorgne won’t be able to participate in the race.
But, LeBorgne decided that she wasn’t going to keep the target number at $900, rather continuing to increase that dollar amount. She set her goal at $1,000 and that number was quickly reached so her goal climbed to $2,000, which has been accomplished, and now the current goal is to raise $2,500. All of the money donated by individuals to LeBorgne will go towards helping her husband’s recovery.
On Monday August 14, the community will have another opportunity to assist the LeBorgne family as there will be a fundraiser at the Shortstop Bar and Grille in Westfield from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Days leading up to the fundraiser, LeBorgne handed out a high number of flyers to people, and if someone comes into the Shortstop with the flyer, 15% of their bill will go towards LeBorgne’s fundraiser. Flyers will also be handed out to people at the event, but they must tell LeBorgne that they are there for the fundraiser.
LeBorgne is hoping that the combination of her drive to fundraise and passion for running will create a positive impact on, not only her husband’s future, but on other brain injury survivor’s.
“I can do it, if I can run for him or for other people that can’t run, you just run in their honor,” said LeBorgne.
If anyone is interested in donating to the cause for the LeBorgne family but aren’t able to make it to the Shortstop on Monday night, you can donate the family’s First Giving page.
