March is Brain Injury Awareness month, so students, employees, and families from the College of Continuing Education’s Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) program will proudly walk and roll together under the name, “Team ABI”. Former ABI instructor Heike Kessler-Heiberg formed the college’s Team ABI to partake in the event 18 years ago, and Team ABI has become a top donor, raising more than $330,000 since 2008, with the addition of a $25,000 goal this year.
Register walk with Team ABI, Donate, Fundraise
Team ABI together with the San Diego Brain Injury Foundation are aiming to raise $75,000 this year to provide free-of-charge, life-changing programs, services and resources for San Diegans recovering from brain injury. A portion of donations goes toward the College of Continuing Education’s ABI trust fund for scholarships. The event is open to the public.
The Acquired Brain Injury program at the College of Continuing Education is the only one of its kind in the nation — to provide free classes that support survivors recovering from brain trauma, stroke/aneurysm, brain tumor, brain infection and anoxia.
“Supporting brain injury survivors and their families is at the heart of what we do. San Diego College of Continuing Education was built to provide accessible and equitable education for all people of all backgrounds. We are honored to return to the walk as a top donor on behalf of our inspiring students,” said College of Continuing Education President Dr. Tina M. King.
President King and the College of Continuing Education will proudly sponsor enrolled students to participate in the 2025 surviveHEADSTRONG Walk. “We do not want cost to be a barrier for our students who want to cheer on their peers and raise awareness for a great cause,” said King, who is looking forward to participating in the fundraiser. Dr. Evangeline Akridge, the college’s new Dean of Emeritus and Disability Support Programs and Services (DSPS) will also be proudly in attendance to meet the community along with members of the president’s cabinet.
At the College of Continuing Education, Acquired Brain Injury curriculum retrains students to achieve daily tasks and long-term goals to support their transition back into more independent living, volunteering, and career and educational pursuits. When ready, ABI students can transition into career training certificate programs at no-cost to them.
“I am proud to be the new Team Captain of TeamABI this year! TeamABI represents faculty, students and alumni of the Acquired Brain Injury program, along with the support of their family and friends. The ABI program is a team-taught program that offers a holistic educational approach to support brain injury survivors,” said Brandi Bass, College of Continuing Education Disability Support Programs and Services faculty and fundraising Team Captain. “Our team’s participation in this walk and roll is incredibly important as it represents our deep commitment to the brain injury community. It offers a unique chance to celebrate the (big and little) accomplishments of the last year and come together as a community to raise awareness for this often invisible disability. It truly is a privilege to get to work here and see the continued resilience and growth of our students.”
The lifetime costs of a patient’s treatment for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) are estimated to run from $85,000 to $3 million, reported Northwestern Now. Findings show the cost of TBIs depends on the required level of care, duration, and insurance coverage.
Free ABI classes take place online and at the College of Continuing Education’s Mesa College campus, as well as at the Educational Cultural Complex. Enrollment is open now. For more information contact the college’s Disability Support Programs and Services office at 619-388-4812 to schedule an intake appointment.
Where: Mission Bay Park De Anza Cove
2740 DeAnza Road, San Diego, CA 92109
When: March 22, 2025
8 a.m. — Registration, Health Fair opens
8 to 9 a.m. — Team photos at the Event Banner
9 to 9:15 a.m. — Warm up with CHD Street Therapy
9:15 a.m. — Walk Begins
Noon — Raffle starts
1 p.m. — surviveHEADSTRONG & Health Fair concludes