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Neighbors
March 7 - March 20, 2015
www.SanTanSun.com
Neighbors Chandler doctor provides concussion support during Super Bowl XLIX BY CURT BLAKENEY
Concussion injuries in the National Football League have been a hot-button issue in recent years. With multimillion-dollar class-action lawsuits being filed by former players and mounting research showing the negative health consequences of concussions on those former players, the NFL has ratcheted up efforts to not only adjust the rules on the field, but also change the way league doctors and coaches are dealing with players who have suffered a concussion during game play. A Chandler doctor was recruited by the NFL to provide his concussion expertise on the sidelines during Super Bowl XLIX, which was played at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale on Feb. 1. The move was part of the NFL’s vigilance in diminishing the incidence of head injuries and addressing them more adequately during games. Dr. Taro Kaibara, the director of Neurosurgery at Dignity Health Chandler Regional Medical Center and a neurosurgeon at Barrow Neurological Institute, was on the sidelines providing neurological specialty support to the medical staffs of the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots. Kaibara was joined by his Barrow colleague, Dr. Javier Cardenas, the medical director of the Barrow Concussion & Brain Injury Center at Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix. Their appointments were part of new NFL guidelines that place independent medical specialists at all games to better handle concussions. “Concussion awareness and detection is an important element in professional football,” Kaibara says via email. “It was an honor to have been selected to work on the sidelines of the Super Bowl to monitor for concussions and assist in maintaining the safety of the players.” Kaibara and Cardenas were selected for the NFL’s Unaffiliated Neurotrauma Consultant program based on Barrow’s renowned neurological treatment of brain and spinal cord injuries including concussions. The doctors also provide these services during Cardinals and Arizona State University home football games. Kaibara and Cardenas were made available to examine players if they suffered a hard hit to the head (“got their bell rung” as it’s called among players and coaches). “It’s important to quickly recognize and treat football players who have suffered a concussion so that they don’t immediately return to the game and put themselves at risk for a more serious brain injury,” Kaibara says.
Adopt-A-Park volunteers honored
Barbecue, beer suits Eli Young Band just fine
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Are allergies making me feel this way? BY DR. STUART H. AGREN
About one in five people suffers from allergies. Allergies can manifest themselves in a host of ways. The most common are the hay fever-variety—a runny or stuffed-up nose, sniffling, sneezing, itchy eyes, etc.—but there are plenty of other symptoms that have their root in allergy. Asthma: Asthma is frequently allergy-related. Allergies cause the airways to swell, obstructing normal breathing. The majority of my asthmatic patients show marked symptom relief once they start allergy treatment. There’s a strong link! Eczema/Hives: Most people think these skin problems are a dermatology issue, but they are often a byproduct of allergic inflammation. It is common for eczema sufferers to cycle in vain through multiple dermatologists and even more prescription creams. However, no amount of topical medication can fix the SEE ALLERGIES PAGE 43
Dr. Stuart H. Agren.
Thrill seekers invited to ‘Be the Match’ BY MEGHAN MCCOY
For the first time, Valley residents will have the opportunity to stare fear in the face while participating in various obstacle courses—and it’s for a good cause. The ThrillSeeker Stunt Run 5K will take place at 8 a.m. Sunday, March 28, at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park, 20000 S. Maricopa Rd., Chandler. The Kids’ 1K event will begin at 3 p.m. for ages 6 to 12. Tickets range from $25 to $85. The race is being presented by Guardian Angel Council to raise awareness and education about the national bone marrow donor program. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Be the Match, the The ThrillSeeker 5K Stunt Run is coming to the Valley for the first
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time at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park. Submitted photo
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Murphy’s Law hosts St. Patrick’s Day celebration Murphy’s Law and St. Patrick’s Day naturally go hand in hand. So it’s no surprise that the pub will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with its seventh annual party. But this year Murphy’s Law is scaling back its party to maintain a family feel. The owners of the popular downtown Chandler Irish pub still expect to attract hundreds of revelers. Murphy’s Law is open from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m., with the 21-and-older party set for 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Admission to the party is $5, with no cover for those 55 and older. Revelers can enjoy performers from Bracken School of Irish Dance, bagpipers, and performances by the bands The Dickensons and Tick Tick Boom, both of which are regulars at Murphy’s Law.
Where to Eat
The kitchen at Murphy’s Law will stick to Irish dishes throughout the day for a more traditional St. Patrick’s Day experience. The walls of the restaurant/pub are lined with dollar bills, while its management has a heart of gold when it comes to supporting the community. Murphy’s Law officials support the Bracken School of Irish Dance by purchasing costumes and paying for travel expenses. Murphy’s Law also assists the bagpipers from the Arizona Fire Service Pipe Band, which represents fire departments from across the state. Murphy’s Law owner Roger Baldwin has become a pillar of the community. A former police officer in Colorado and
Washington,Baldwin sought to enhance the culinary and cultural scene in downtown Chandler, so he opened Murphy’s Law. Soon after the pubs opening, he became active with area charities. He started a $1 program, and began aiding The Willow Tree Foundation, an organization that provides “moments of calm in the storm of caring for a medically fragile child.” Murphy’s Law is located at 58 S. San Marcos Pl., in downtown Chandler. Tickets are (480) 812-1588 or visit www.murphyslawaz.com.