Fifth Annual Saves Picnic Honors Patients, Families, First Responders and Health Care Providers on June 7

The Level I Trauma Center at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) will celebrate incredible patient saves and pay tribute to the contributions and dedication of the first responders and health care professionals who are on the front lines of trauma and emergency care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week during its fifth annual Amazing Saves Picnic on Sunday, June 7, 2015.

The picnic will take place from noon to 5 p.m. at the Black Bear Country Club, 457 Stage Coach Road, in Millstone Township. This family-friendly event will include a buffet lunch, snacks, laser tag, Segway rides, a rock-climbing wall, water sports, paddle boats, mini golf and more. Admission is $20 for adults and $10 for children between the ages of 3 and 11. Members of the media are also invited to attend.

At this year’s picnic, RWJ’s Trauma Team will honor Holmdel resident Timmy McDonnell. Timmy suffered a severe, life-threatening head injury after being struck by a car on Easton Avenue in New Brunswick on October 4, 2014. Timmy, who was a Rutgers University junior when the accident occurred, was comatose following the accident and he nearly died several times over the next few weeks. However, the prayers and support from hundreds family and friends from Rutgers University and the McDonnell’s hometown of Holmdel combined with expert trauma, neurosurgical and nursing care, helped him defy the odds. Following a 25-day hospital stay at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJ) in New Brunswick and a grueling 88-day inpatient physical rehabilitation regimen, Timmy is walking, talking and making plans for the next chapter in his life.

“There is no question that the tremendous support we received carried us through,” says Mr. McDonnell. “The support we received from Timmy’s friends, our community, Rutgers and the hospital is hard to put into words.”

Mrs. McDonnell adds, “All denominations and faiths stopped by to pray for Timmy.”

After being struck by the car, Timmy’s head hit the pavement. The blow caused a severe brain bleed.

“We got the call at 3:15 a.m. and jumped right in the car,” Mr. McDonnell recalls.

Fortunately, Timmy’s accident occurred near RWJ, one of only three Level I Trauma Centers in the state. RWJ’s Level I Trauma Center has a trauma surgeon available in the hospital 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to treat patients with traumatic injuries. The Trauma Center’s team is highly experienced in the response and initial treatment of traumatic brain injuries like Timmy’s. The team can also draw upon the strengths of many disciplines, including world-class neurosurgeons, to offer the best chance for survival. In addition, RWJ features experienced, nationally recognized critical care nurses, whose daily care and support was essential to Timmy’s recovery.

Timmy had emergency surgery at 5 a.m. that morning. Rachana Tyagi, MD, Assistant Professor of Surgery at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (RWJMS) and RWJ, removed part of his skull so she could remove the blood clot on his brain and relieve pressure from the swelling.

“He was in a comatose state when he arrived and following surgery,” Dr. Tyagi says. “There were many moments when we thought he wouldn’t survive.”

A steady stream of Timmy’s friends from Rutgers and Holmdel kept vigil in RWJ’s Courtyard. Extended family came from New York and many employees at RWJ and Rutgers regularly checked on the family.

The McDonnells had hope after Timmy survived another procedure to reduce near lethal levels of pressure caused by his brain swelling and an MRI revealed no damage to his brain stem. Timmy opened his eyes 21 days after the accident.

“Recovery from severe brain injury depends on your attitude and how hard you are willing to work,” Dr. Tyagi explains. “The front-end support he received from his family with early physical rehabilitation at the hospital made a huge difference.”

Dr. Tyagi credits seamless teamwork among the trauma physicians, neurosurgeons and nurses on the Surgical Intensive Care Unit for his recovery.

The McDonnells never gave up hope, recalling a conversation with Vicente Gracias, MD, Professor of Surgery and Chief of Trauma and Surgical Critical Care for RWJ and Rutgers RWJMS.

“Dr. Gracias said, ‘I’m wrong sometimes and I hope I’m wrong about Timmy. I want him to walk back in here, pat me on the back and tell me I was wrong, because then we’ll be rock stars.’”

Mr. McDonnell still believes anything is possible with Timmy’s recovery.

“Our hope is to have him return to Rutgers, graduate and live a happy, full life,” Mr. McDonnell says. “Timmy’s doctors said this was a miracle and the miracle started at RWJ.”

The Amazing Saves Picnic promises a day of fun and celebration, and is open to the public. To learn more, please visit www.rwjtrauma.org/amazingsave. Registration is encouraged, but walk-ins on the day of the event are welcome. To register, please call 1-888-MD-RWJUH.

To learn more about RWJUH, please visit www.rwjuh.edu. For a referral to a physician affiliated with RWJUH, please call 1-888-MD-RWJUH. Follow us on Twitter at www.rwjuh.edu/twitter and Facebook at www.rwjuh.edu/facebook.