HELP JASON'S FAMILY OVERCOME THEIR TRAGEDY DURING THE HOLIDAYS
Cayuga, Ontario-born Jason Baird played hockey for the Mississauga AAA Reps of the Greater Toronto Hockey League as a teenager. He lived with long-time Mississauga resident Linda Pinizzotto's family, while playing hockey with her son for the team. Pinizzotto, the former General Manager of the Stoney Creek Spirit Junior B Hockey Team in the Ontario Hockey Association and a Member of the Board of Directors of the Mississauga Real Estate Board, has set up a website to help Jason Baird and is collaborating on the Jason Baird Run Walk on December 3rd.
Jason spent last season playing for the Youngstown Steelhounds in Ohio. After 6 years in the Central Hockey League, Jason had just been signed with the Muskegon Fury in Michigan (now the Muskegon Lumberjacks) of the International Hockey League 6 days before his life took a tragic turn.
To supplement his hockey income off-season, Jason worked for a landscaping company. On July 17, 2008, the lawnmower he was riding EXPLODED, engulfing him in flames. Jason suffered critical third degree burns over more than 60% of his body and it is a miracle that he is alive. Being off-season from hockey, Jason had no medical insurance coverage. He has spent three months in critical care in Ohio at the Akron Hospital Burn Unit with Bethany, his wife, at his side. Their children have been in the care of Jason's family in Cayuga, Ontario. He has undergone a multitude of painful surgeries that were finally completed in mid-September.
In mid-October, Jason finally got to go home. His daily routine requires a visit to the Akron hospital for six hours of rehab, a 90 minute dressing change by Bethany at home and then more stretching therapy at home to keep his skin from getting too tight. Due to the risk of infections, his surroundings must be absolutely sterile. Jason has been fitted for a facemask and pressurized body wear that he will wear for at least a year to reduce the amount of scarring. A long, challenging, costly road lies ahead.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Today, with the holidays approaching, Jason's wife and three young children wait and hope while 28-year-old Jason slowly recovers. Please give the gift of love, goodwill, and generosity this holiday season by helping Jason and his family.
Register online for the Jason Baird Run/Walk by clicking on the link above.
OR click here to download a registration form!
Entry fee is $10. 100% of the registration fee goes to the Jason Baird Family Trust Fund.
Included with registration:
- All participants will receive a medal
- Great food, refreshments and cake to follow the event
- FREE buses to and from the event from select Running Room/Walking Rooms (check in-store for details)
Make a tax deductible donation to the Jason Baird Trust Fund at www.giving.runningroom.com
The St. Patrick Catholic Church in Jason’s hometown of Cayuga, Ontario will be accepting tax-deductible donations and funds on behalf of Jason.
Spread the word about Jason Baird
- Send people to this website to sign up for the run or find out how they can help.
- Display a poster in your office, school, hockey arena, community
(click here to download a poster! 629 KB. PDF)
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Click here to find information about the location of the event for Jason at the NEW Winston Churchill Running Room, opening in Mississauga Dec.3, 2008
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Click here to visit JasonBaird.ca, the site created by Linda Pinizzotto to help Jason Baird (www.jasonbaird.ca)
Media
Location:
Winston Churchill Running Room
Unit 1,2969 Argentia Road
Mississauga, ON L5N 0A2
winston@runningroom.com
Click here to view the map!
Join us for the FREE practice sessions:
Wednesday evenings at 6:30pm and Sunday mornings at 8:30am
Runners & Walkers from beginners to advanced are all welcome!
Included with registration:
- All participants will receive a medal
- Great food, refreshments and cake to follow the event
- FREE buses to and from the event from select Running Room/Walking Rooms (check in-store for details)
100% of the registration fee goes to the Jason Baird Family Trust Fund.
