Brian Campbell, a professional hockey defenceman has been playing for the Chicago Blackhawks which is in the National Hockey League. The player had had a successful career in his lifetime winning the Stanley Cup in 2010 when he assisted on the deciding goal. Campbell has played for some teams starting his career with the Buffalo Sabres then the San Jose Sharks and Florida Panthers.
Campbell has also been involved in a lot of charity work focusing mainly on children. He currently drives a foundation called the Campbell for Kids Foundation. The organisation’s efforts are focussed towards children in Chicago where through it Campbell raises money for children with learning disabilities and special needs.
In 2011 when the charity foundation was first launched the main focus was Autism. Autism has been a subject of discussion in the U.S for a long time. In the past autism was not taken seriously and people did not care much for it. Recent statistics, however, show that the rate of diagnosis among children has been increasing over the years. 88 years ago the rate was 1 in every 48 children but as of 2014, that rate has increased by a whopping 30% to 1 in 68 children. Many of the children are a male who 4.5 times as many as girls are. More importantly is the fact that treatment for autism continues to be out of reach for many low-income families in America. Autism is lifetime disorder and needs to have access to special care and medication, for low-income families. However, such medical attention might be out of reach, and the child ends up struggling all through his/her life.
It is because of such statistics that Campbell For Kids Foundation has been working to raise funds and awareness for the kids who might not be able to access that kind of services. Campbell’s love for kids is based out of the time he volunteered at the Summit School which is a school that provides special education for children with disabilities.
He has since continued his relationship with the school whereby hosting the Summit Golf Tournament that raises funds for the school. The Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament’ is also a major event that the foundation uses to raise funds for autistic children. All the proceeds from the event go to the ‘Chicagoland Chapter of Autism Speaks’. The Campbell for kids has been at the forefront of the fight for children with disabilities in Chicago.