Help James Recover from Traumatic Brain Injury

On Labor Day, September 4, 2023, James was out enjoying one of his favorite activities: riding his bike with some friends. James was training for his 6th tour on the California Coast Classic, a 525-mile 8-day bicycle tour and the largest fundraiser for the Arthritis Foundation. About 3 miles from the end of this training ride, James went down hard. He was non-responsive on the site of the accident and rushed to MarinHealth Medical Center in Greenbrae, California.

Among other injuries, James suffered a DAI (Diffuse Axonal Injury), which is a type of traumatic brain injury. With a DAI, there are many small points of bleeding throughout the brain and the brain stem. Surgery's not a treatment option; James will have to heal and recover in time. And – what should come as no surprise to anyone who knows James – he is already showing signs of progress. After a couple of weeks in the ICU, James was transferred to a local critical care facility to continue his healing and rehabilitation process.

James is supported in his recovery by his wife, Rebecca; his three children, Emma, Warren, and Joanna; his father, Ron; and countless other family and friends whose love has poured in from all over. We know that James can feel it during his short moments of awareness. We are optimistic that we will get him back but are realistic in that the road ahead of James is long and challenging. And, though James has health care coverage, given the anticipated amount and duration of medical treatment and rehabilitation services he will need, there will be significant costs involved. Through this fundraising effort, just as James has supported so many others throughout his life, our goal is to support him and help get him top-notch services with the hope of achieving the best outcome possible for him.

Thank you for visiting and sharing James' page and for supporting his recovery! He looks forward to serenading us, making dad jokes, and playing chess again as soon as he can, and your support helps to make that possible!

This fundraising page is being managed by Kyle Berg. Kyle and James met in high school and became very close, bonding over chess, cycling and the music of U2. They served as groomsmen for each other at their weddings! Kyle is a licensed CPA and has volunteered to help manage the financial lift that James and Becca face during James's recovery.