♦ Photo: Dash for Cash fun (Adam Locke)

With more than $40,000 raised for the Dave Irwin Foundation for Brain Injury, last weekend’s 10th annual Dash for Cash at Sunshine Village was a huge success.

“Dave Irwin Crazy Canuck has dedicated his life to raising awareness about head injuries,” said John Scurfield, senior vice president of marketing, Sales and Resort Operations. “Dave Irwin is a personal friend and his dedication to this event is amazing.”

On Saturday, Feb. 4, teams of four participated in dual-slalom-format races for fun and fundraising.

Prizes were awarded for best team costume, top team and individual fundraisers, best team name, fastest team, fastest male and female, slowest individual and slowest team.

While the day was full of fun, there was a more serious take-home message from the event as well. The Dave Irwin Foundation for Brain Injury was created by two-time Canadian Olympic downhill skier and World Cup champion Dave Irwin and family in March 2002.

Dave suffered a severe head injury during a skiercross training run at Sunshine Village. Doctors held out little hope that he would survive, let alone ski again. But one year after his accident, Dave hit the slopes at Sunshine, surrounded by family and friends.

"Brain injury happens every day," said Lynne Harrison, Dave's spouse and the director of the Dave Irwin Foundation for Brain Injury, "Dave was one of the first sports icons to stand up and say, 'I have a brain injury' and his path towards an honest approach has opened the door for others to reduce stigma and increase awareness."

Dave's remarkable survival and ongoing recovery from a severe brain injury are attributed to an indomitable spirit, will to live, and will to compete.

Each year, Dave and his family, with Sunshine Village, host the Dash for Cash to raise money for the foundation. So far, the foundation has raised hundreds of thousands for brain injury awareness, education, research and prevention.