Image Credit: CFJC Today
VW TURTLE RIVER RACE

New KBIA concussion program to receive funds from this year’s VW Turtle River Race

May 6, 2024 | 6:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — The 23rd annual VW Turtle River Race was held on Sunday (May 5), when 2,000 plastic turtles raced down the South Thompson River to raise funds for the Kamloops Brain Injury Association (KBIA).

“We’ve got 2,000 plastic turtles and what will happen is we’ll pour them into the river out of a boat. They float down, and the first ones across the finish line get some amazing prizes,” explained KBIA executive director Dave Johnson, who also explained volunteer kayakers made sure to scoop them all up, ensuring the race is a sustainable event.

Almost $20,000 worth of prizes were at stake and the funds will be directed to a new concussion program at KBIA.

“We have a concussion program that we’ve started up for folks who have concussions and need some extra help knowing how to manage their concussion. And this helps pay for that program,” Johnson explained. “Concussion is a kind of brain injury. It’s a smaller one, but it’s still serious. It can really disrupt folks. We want to make sure that we’re available to teach people about that and give them techniques to move forward from it.”

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