Ray Ciancaglini
Ray Ciancaglini | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | April 10, 1951 |
| Nationality | American |
| Citizenship | United States |
| Occupation |
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| Organization | The Second Impact |
| Website | thesecondimpact |
Ray Ciancaglini is an American former professional boxer known for his social advocacy that focuses predominantly on concussion awareness. He is the founder of the Second Impact[1] Concussion Awareness non-profit Organization endorsed by a number of prolific organizations and media outlets. He is also a member of the Geneva Sports Hall of Fame.[2][3]
Ciancaglini played an integral role in having the 2010 Concussion Management Awareness Act approved into New York State law for which he received the prestigious New York Executive Chamber Award and the Rochester Hickok Hero Award. Apart from that, Ciancaglini has also received numerous awards in his boxing career as well as for his advocacy for concussion awareness.
Ciancaglini currently serves as a brand ambassador for GTX Corp, a technology licensee that specializes in miniature GPS monitoring technologies.[4] He is also an established keynote speaker known for conducting free-of-cost medical seminars and TBI Conferences where he speaks on the importance of addressing concussions promptly and properly.
Biography
Ciancaglini's boxing career lasted the years 1966 through 1974. After his retirement from boxing, Ciancaglini worked for 14 years at Eastman Kodak but then the effects of his medical condition became severe and progressive, hindering his working ability - which is when he consulted with the Neurology Department at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY where he was diagnosed with Dementia Pugilistica and Parkinson’s Syndrome. Early in his boxing career, he endured a second impact injury which eventually resulted in this diagnosis as an end product of repeated untreated concussions.[5]
Ciancaglini has been battling Parkinson's Syndrome and Dementia Pugilistica (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) for years as a result of several untreated concussions he had during his boxing career. He is currently a prime candidate in a number of clinical research studies at the Boston University School of Medicine (Study of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) where he has donated his brain, upon his death.[6]
Ciancaglini's experience drew attention to the importance of concussion awareness in the New York State Senate. Senator Kemp Hannon, Chairman of the Senate Health Committee, spearheaded the Concussion Management Awareness Act through the Senate in 2011.
As of 2021, Ciancaglini's health is deteriorating due to the progressive effects of his medical condition and he struggles cognitively, making it difficult to form complete thoughts. He has dedicated himself to helping people not make the same mistake he did and making them understand the grave effects of second impact injuries. As a result, he has cut back on volunteer commitments (most notably strength and conditioning coach for the NY Collegiate baseball league Geneva Red Wings, 2002-2014 and Character Coach for the Geneva High School Football program 1993-2020) to focus on keynote speaker events. He has positioned himself as a firm advocate for helping prevent adolescent and student-athletes from suffering repeated head trauma in contact sports by spreading awareness at an international level.
Other
In 2019, Andy Siegel wrote a book "Second Impact, The Ray Ciancaglini Story" that covers the life story of Ray Ciancaglini.
Awards and recognitions
- The Golden Glove Heart Award, 1970
- The Rochester Boxing Hall of Fame Jerry Flynn Courage Award, 2011
- NYS Legislation Resolution Jerry Flynn Courage Award, 2011
- The Geneva City Council Recognition Award/Proclamation, 2011
- NYS Executive Chamber Award, 2011
- Finger Lakes Times first place NYS Publishers Association Award, 2011
- Finger Lakes Times first place NYS Associated Press Story Award, 2011
- Geneva Sports Hall of Fame Induction, 2012
- NYS Legislation Resolution Geneva Sports Hall of Fame Resolution, 2012
- Sons of Italy Amici Award, 2012
- Rochester Hickok Hero Award, 2012
- Geneva High School Class of 1969 Positive Impact Award, 2014
- Camp Good Days Courage Award, 2014
- Public Policy Award, the Brain Injury Association of New York State, 2014
- Piscataquis Observer first place Maine Press Association Award, 2017
- Rotary Club's Paul Harris Fellow Award, 2018
- Red Wings Perfect Game League Recognition Award, 2021
In the media
References
- ↑ Impact, The Second. "About Ray Ciancaglini". The Second Impact. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
- ↑ "Geneva Sports Hall of Fame - Geneva, New York". www.genevasportshof.org. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
- ↑ "twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
- ↑ "GPS SmartSole® » Brand Ambassadors". gpssmartsole.com. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
- ↑ [email protected], TIM TAYLOR. "Character tops menu at dinner to support Geneva football". Finger Lakes Times. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
- ↑ "NYS Athletic Trainers' Association Builds Relationship with Brain Injury Association of NYS". PRWeb. Retrieved 21 December 2021.