Race driver shares story of recovery

Also: You have another chance to rappel down the One Daytona building.


  • By
  • | 3:06 p.m. July 16, 2018
NASCAR driver Matt Tifft visits with Karen Shaffer, 63, of Port Orange, at Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center on July 6. Shaffer is undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Courtesy photo
NASCAR driver Matt Tifft visits with Karen Shaffer, 63, of Port Orange, at Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center on July 6. Shaffer is undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Courtesy photo
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Richard Childress Racing driver Matt Tifft visited cancer patients undergoing radiation and chemotherapy at Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center on July 6 and shared his story of healing from brain tumor surgery in 2016 and returning to driving.

 “After my successful surgery, the recovery process was tough. The simplest tasks became extremely tough because of the daggering pains I had in my head,” Tifft said.

He was told that he would never race again, but he was determined to get back into the car.

“I did lots of brain games online that focused on reaction training as a form of rehab,” he said. “Eventually I did a neuro-cognitive exam that would prove if I was fit to fly an airplane. The doctors used that as an approval process since they felt it was a parallel to giving me approval to get back in a racecar. In a sense, I was lucky with my diagnosis and recovery process, so if I’m able to share my story with patients like the ones fighting hard at Florida Hospital and provide them just a little bit of inspiration, that’s huge and something that is really important to me.”

Tifft is the driver of the No. 2 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

 

Volunteers to go Over the Edge

 

Announcing the return of Over the Edge are NASCAR Foundation Director Nichole Krieger; NASCAR General Counsel Gary Crotty; CEO of International Speedway Corporation Lesa France Kennedy; and Easterseals representative Sheryl Cook. Courtesy photo
Announcing the return of Over the Edge are NASCAR Foundation Director Nichole Krieger; NASCAR General Counsel Gary Crotty; CEO of International Speedway Corporation Lesa France Kennedy; and Easterseals representative Sheryl Cook. Courtesy photo

Everyday heroes, thrill seekers and community leaders are invited to once again be brave for courageous kids during the second-annual “Over The Edge At ONE DAYTONA” event Nov. 2 and 3.

In the event, volunteers rappel down the side of the One Daytona building across from Daytona International Speedway to raise money, through sponsorships, for Easterseals Northeast Central Florida and the NASCAR Foundation. Last year, the event raised $200,000

“Over the Edge was a huge success last year and we’re looking to involve the community in what should be a great follow-up this year,” said Lesa France Kennedy, CEO of International Speedway Corporation and vice chairperson of The NASCAR Foundation and NASCAR. “I’m planning on going Over the Edge myself once again, so I hope we have a number of other returnees. This event is exciting, fun, and it’s for the best cause imaginable – helping children in need.”

Registration is now open, and details can be found at www.DaytonaOverTheEdge.org.

 

Bank partners with Tortugas

 

SunTrust Banks Inc. has been named the Official Banking Partner of the Daytona Tortugas for the 2018 season. The agreement includes advertising, signage and sponsorship of SunTrust Night at the Park.

 

Facial surgeon added

 

Florida Oral & Facial Surgical Associates has announced the hire of Bradley Pinker, DDS, MD, who has expertise in facial trauma and craniofacial surgery, according to a press release.

Florida Oral & Facial Surgical Associates, with locations in Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach and Palm Coast, offers oral, maxillofacial and cosmetic facial surgery procedures. Visit. floridaoralfacial.com.

 

Chief medical officer named

 

Family medicine physician Dr. Darin Jordan has been named chief medical officer for Florida Hospital HealthCare Partners, a physician group of more than 160 doctors affiliated with Florida Hospital

 

 

 

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