WELCOME, N.C. (April 5, 2013) – Richard Childress Racing will feature the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma on the No. 31 Chevrolet driven by NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Jeff Burton at Martinsville Speedway this weekend.
“We take for granted that the best emergency care for our children is always available, but that is not the case. Critically-injured patients treated in a certified trauma center have a 25% increased rate of survival,” said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing and co-founder of the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma. “We wanted to spotlight the need for awareness by running a paint scheme featuring the Institute this weekend.”
Nearly 10,000 children die each year due to life-threatening injuries – more than all other causes combined. The Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma invests resources in research, medical education and awareness to improve the treatment for critically injured children across the United States.
“Life-threatening injuries kill more children in America than all other causes combined, and it is our mission of save the lives of injured children,” said CIPT Executive Director Dr. Wayne Meredith. “The Childress Institute is grateful to Richard Childress, Jeff Burton and everyone at RCR for helping us raise awareness about the No. 1 killer of children in America.”
The Cross family learned all too well how important it is to receive care from appropriately-trained first responders and the expertise of a Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center. Their 15-year-old daughter, Meredith, sustained a traumatic brain injury when she fell off her horse. The speed and expertise in care that Meredith received resulted in multiple procedures and surgeries by highly skilled pediatric specialists because the Cross family had access to an American College of Surgeon’s approved Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center. The Childress Institute helped the trauma center achieve Level 1 status by pushing for improved pediatric trauma care and providing funding for research and medical education. After much work and care on everyone’s part, Meredith is back at school playing in the marching band and almost fully recovered. You can listen to Meredith and her family tell their story at http://www.YouTube.com/
To learn more about pediatric trauma, visit www.InjuredKids.org and join the Childress Champions by clicking the green “Donate” button. You can also find CIPT on Twitter @injuredkids and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/
About the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma
The Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma’s mission is to lead national efforts to reduce death and disability following injury to children less than 18 years old. Life-threatening injury is the No. 1 killer of kids in America. Nearly 10,000 children die each year – more than all other causes combined. The Childress Institute invests resources in research, education and awareness to improve the treatment for critically injured children in the U.S. The Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center was established through the generosity of Richard and Judy Childress. For more information, please visit www.InjuredKids.org.
About Richard Childress Racing
Richard Childress Racing (www.rcrracing.com) has earned more than 200 victories and 14 championships, including six in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with the legendary Dale Earnhardt. RCR was the first organization to win championships in the Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Its 2013 Sprint Cup Series lineup includes Paul Menard (No. 27 Menards Chevrolet), Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Budweiser/Rheem/Jimmy John’s Chevrolet) and Jeff Burton (No. 31 Caterpillar/Cheerios Chevrolet). Its Nationwide Series program includes Brian Scott (No. 2 Shore Lodge/Armour Vienna Sausage/Fast Fixin’/Charter/Husky Liners Chevrolet), 2012 Nationwide Series rookie of the year Austin Dillon (No. 3 AdvoCare Chevrolet) and an all-star driver lineup on the No. 33 Menards/Rheem/WESCO/Armour Vienna Sausage/Hunt Brothers Pizza/Fast Fixin’ Chevrolet team. The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series program will consist of 2012 Camping World Truck Series rookie of the year Ty Dillon (No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet) and Brendan Gaughan (No. 62 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet).
