15^TH ANNUAL CRAIG HOSPITAL MOTORSPORTS DAY

FORMER CRAIG PATIENT TO RECEIVE QUICKIE POWER WHEELCHAIR FROM THE DARRELL GWYNN FOUNDATION

Englewood, Colo.—On Wednesday, July 11, 2007, Craig Hospital will host its 15^th Annual Motorsports Day, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the vicinity of Girard and S. Clarkson Streets in Englewood.

Nearly 200 collector vehicles will be on display, including street rods, antiques, racecars, muscle cars, restorations, and vehicles with hand-controls. 

“I appreciate all of the support we have received,” said George Richardson, Director of Outpatient Follow up Services. “This is the seventh year I have helped coordinate the Craig Hospital Motorsports Day, and the event gets bigger and better each year.”

This annual event provides current and former Craig patients with an opportunity to view world-class automobiles, vehicles modified for drivers with disabilities, and to meet celebrity guests. Admission is free; there will be music, tours of Craig and an outdoor BBQ lunch will be served between 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. This year, Ameristar Casinos is the major sponsor of Motorsports Day, which has become the “must see” car show in Denver

“Ameristar is proud to support Craig Hospital’s Motorsports Day this year,” said General Manager Michelle Shriver. “We are excited to partner with Craig Hospital in serving their patients and the community as part of our Ameristar Cares corporate giving program. We are pleased to be in a position where we can give back to the communities in which we live and work.”

At 10 a.m., the Darrell Gwynn Foundation will present a power wheelchair to former Craig Patient Eric Raley. (More information about Eric Raley below.) Darrell Gwynn is one of the greatest drag racers of all time and an inductee in The International Drag Racing Hall of Fame.  In addition, the hospital will celebrate the donation of the new driving simulator system, courtesy of the Darrell Gwynn Foundation, for the Craig Hospital Adaptive Driving Program. The simulator is an integral component for patient rehabilitation that allows staff to diagnose a person’s readiness to drive after recovering from injury.  The donation was made in conjunction with Chevy Racing.

“It is a pleasure and a privilege to help Craig Hospital in ways that make a real impact,” said Darrell Gwynn, president of the Darrell Gwynn Foundation.  “There are so many ways to assist people with spinal cord injuries, and giving them a sense of independence through a proper wheelchair, or the ability to drive, is a huge benefit.”  Gwynn incurred a spinal cord injury during an exhibition drag race in 1990.   

Other important details:

• At 2 p.m., Patrick Anderson, Sunrise Medical Ambassador, will give a motivational presentation to patients, staff, families and visitors in the gymnasium located on the first floor of Craig Hospital’s West building.  Anderson is a great role model and ambassador for wheelchair basketball. He is a nine-time Olympic gold medalist for the sport and has been recognized as a Canadian World Basketball League’s Most Valuable Player (MVP).  Sunrise Medical is a manufacturer of Quickie Wheelchairs and other homecare and extended care products.
• Don Schumacher Racing will display the Ron Capps Fuel Funny Car.  Ron Capps began his pro career in 1995. He has driven and won both Top Fuel Dragsters and Funny Cars. Currently, Capps with the Brut car, leads the points standing for the 2007 NHRA POWERAde Championship.
• General Motors Corporation will be on hand with its Pontiac Motorsports Performance trailer and four vehicles on display including NHRA pro stock car, Rolex Daytona Prototype, Rolex GTO-R, and Drift Solstice vehicles. 

In addition, on Friday, July 13, there will be a ceremony at Bandimere Speedway during the 28^th Annual MOPAR Mile-High NHRA Nationals. Raley and his family will be recognized in front of 23,000 racing fans at 5 p.m., as the 2007 recipient of a Quickie Power Wheelchair.

Eric Raley - 2007 Darrell Gwynn Foundation Quality of Life Wheelchair Recipient

Clockwise from bottom - Recipient Eric Raley, Cindy Raley, Jerry Raley and Sasha Moon

On July 11, 2007, Eric Raley will become the seventh patient from Craig Hospital to receive a wheelchair donation from the Darrell Gwynn Foundation. The Darrell Gwynn Foundation is a non-profit program that exists to prevent, provide for, and ultimately cure spinal cord injuries and other debilitating injuries and illnesses.

Raley, 24, was a patient at Craig Hospital from February 5, 2007 through May 14, 2007. He was born in Rapid City, S.D. and raised in Gillette, Wyo., where he attended Campbell County High School, graduating in 2000. He enlisted in the Air Force in 2001, where he has reached the rank of staff sergeant as an aircraft maintenance crew chief mechanic. Previously he was stationed in Japan, Iraq, Thailand, and Spain among other assignments both in the United Sates and overseas.  On July 10, 2007, he will be discharged from Edwards Air Force Base in California. 

In 2005, while assigned in Okinawa, Japan, he was diagnosed with a brain stem benign tumor. He underwent successful surgery in Japan and returned to Edwards Air Force Base in California. He worked at a medical clinic on base as he continued his recovery.

In November 2006, while walking to a friend’s home in California, he was involved in an auto-pedestrian crash and suffered major physical injuries including a significant brain injury. He spent nearly three months in the hospital in California recovering from his injuries. On February 5, 2007, he was admitted to Craig Hospital for rehabilitation.

During his stay at Craig Hospital both he and his family have inspired many of the hospital staff. His perseverance, hard work, and sense of humor have enabled him to make significant strides.

Prior to his injury, Eric loved working on Harley Davidson motorcycles, snowboarding, skiing, scuba diving and anything to do with outdoor sports activities.

Eric’s family consists of his father Jerry and stepmother Cindy who are moving from Gillette, Wyo. to Aurora, Colo., where they will reside with Eric as he continues his recovery from his brain injury. Eric’s mom Linae Salinas and stepfather Miguel Salinas live in Lancaster, Calif. Eric has six siblings that include an older brother, younger sister, stepbrother and three stepsisters.

As a result of Eric’s brain injury he will need a power wheelchair to help meet his mobility needs. The new wheelchair will enable Eric to continue his recovery and further his independence.

About The Darrell Gwynn Foundation (DGF)

The Darrell Gwynn Foundation (DGF) exists to prevent, provide for and ultimately cure spinal cord injuries and other debilitating illnesses. The foundation works to help improve the quality of life for those already afflicted with injury or illness, by providing necessary equipment or special services.  To expedite specific cures, the foundation assists in the funding of targeted research.  It is also dedicated to injury prevention, with special emphasis on programs targeting children.  Visit the DGF online at: www.darrellgwynnfoundation.org.

About Craig Hospital

Craig Hospital is world-renowned for treatment and research for persons with spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury.  Craig has been ranked in the top 10 rehabilitation hospitals for 18 consecutive years by US News and World Report. Learn more about Craig Hospital at: www.craighospital.org.

About Ameristar Casinos, Inc.

Ameristar Casinos Inc. is a leading Las Vegas-based gaming and entertainment company known for its premier properties characterized by innovative architecture, state-of-the-art casino floors and superior dining, lodging and entertainment offerings. Ameristar Cares charitable giving program encompasses direct financial donations, workplace giving and team member volunteerism.