Traumatic brain injury is the leading cause of disability and death in children and adolescents in the United States. According to The Center for Head Injury Services, approximately 1 in 500 school-age children each year receive a head injury severe enough to be hospitalized. Although families are eligible for state and federal financial support, funding is limited, and families are often forced to pay for medical care on their own.
Former professional tennis player and collegiate tennis coach Tim Siegel knows this all too well. “I served as the tennis coach at Texas Tech for 23 years. On July 8, 2015, I resigned to spend more time with my wife, Jenny, and our four beautiful children: Alex, Kate, Ellie, and Luke. Twenty days later, Luke had his accident.”
Nine-year-old Luke had been in a golf cart accident. When Siegel arrived at the hospital, the first words he was told were, “Luke has been in cardiac arrest. He has suffered head and chest trauma.” Next came multiple brain surgeries, days in the hospital, followed by months of treatment and rehab. He was finally able to return home. “My little Luke is the greatest fighter I’ve ever seen. Luke’s love of sports fueled his competitive spirit to fight every day.” He lost that fight in August of 2021 following complications from COVID-19. People rallied for the family and reached out to provide love, prayers, and support. “Luke was able to inspire thousands without ever saying a word,” says Siegel. It was that inspiration that led to Team Luke Hope for Minds.
Siegel decided to make it his mission and that of Team Luke to enrich the lives of children with brain injuries by giving hope to their families through support and education. In 2018, Team Luke merged with Austin, Texas-based Hope for Minds, a similar non-profit dedicated to assisting children and families who suffered a brain injury. “Every single day or every week, it seems as if we have an applicant, which is good and bad. People need our help,” says Siegel. That help includes providing families with adequate resources, such as education, therapeutic services, and adaptive equipment. Team Luke Hope for Minds is a one-of-a-kind organization that services families, both financially and emotionally. “The emotional, physical, and financial strain of caring for a disabled child takes an enormous toll on families,” Siegel adds.
There are 13 families in Georgia who benefit from Team Luke Hope for Minds, the majority of whom live in the Atlanta area. To help provide the crucial services needed by these families, Siegel and his team work to organize events and fundraisers throughout the year. To learn more about how you can help, visit teamlukehopeforminds.org.
You can also register at any of the following fundraising events in late July. Registration is $150.00 at each facility. Contact each club for more information.
Friday, July 21
Windermere Tennis Club
6:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Contact: Schindlerb@comcast.net
Saturday, July 22
Concourse Athletic Club
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Contact: Ndoherty@concourseclub.com
Sunday, July 23
Windy Hill Athletic Club
Adults 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Kids 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Contact: marceloferreira2310@gmail.com
