The newest edition to the Calgary Flames team, Jonathan Huberdeau, pledged that he will donate his brain to Project Enlist Canada for research on brain injuries.

Project Enlist is the Concussion Legacy Foundation Canada (CLFC)’s program which aims to serve as a catalyst for research on traumatic brain injury (TBI), chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in military Veterans to help researchers and clinicians learn how to better treat and diagnose the signature wound of war.

“As an NHL player, I’m very aware of the impact of traumatic brain injuries, concussions and the link to other mental health issues,” said Huberdeau, in a press release from Concussion Legacy Foundation Canada. “I’m proud to support Canadian military veterans by pledging to donate my brain to Project Enlist and support research to improve the quality of life of all military personnel who so bravely and courageously served our country.”

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But it's not just Huberdeau who has made the pledge. Former astronaut Marc Garneau, All-Ivy hockey star, Kalley Armstrong, and Major General (retired) Denis Thompson, are also joining joined 170 Canadian Armed Forces members and Veterans in their pledge.

Kalley Armstrong, former Harvard Hockey captain said that concussions ended her hockey career, although she was able to recover. 

"Others are not so lucky. It is important all Canadians understand that mental health issues can result from brain injuries and research will lead to new treatments. I am proud to support Canadian military members in pledging my brain to Project Enlist Canada.”

According to Tim Fleiszer, Executive Director of Concussion Legacy Foundation Canada, he said that brain injuries appear to play a significant role in the mental health challenges of Canada’s military personnel.

"Project Enlist aims to better understand the relationship between traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and mental health. Our soldiers courageously put their lives on the line to protect us. Now, it is our turn to help them live their best lives.” 

CLFC has also sent a Letter of Intent seeking federal support to help Canada become the global leader in understanding and addressing the effects of traumatic brain injuries on military personnel and achieving gender equity in military brain research.

The Concussion Legacy Foundation Canada was founded in December of 2012 by four-time Grey Cup champion, Tim Fleiszer, to help solve the concussion crisis in Canada. Since that time, CLF Canada has operated prevention, education and awareness events across the country, reaching more than 25,000 Canadians in person and hundreds of thousands of Canadians digitally.

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