PLANO, Texas, Feb. 28, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) today announced the Way Forward Fund, a multi-year initiative aimed at strengthening access to care and injury recovery support for individuals and their families, with an initial focus on children with traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
According to National Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), TBI is a major pediatric health condition that is often under-recognized.
In its first year, grants totaling $8.5 million will be made available to select institutions with an emphasis on raising quality of care in communities with the greatest need. This includes support for a wide range of resources and technologies designed to advance TBI treatment and recovery. Toyota intends to award additional grants in subsequent years with the goal of creating a sustainable program with long-term impact.
Funded activities will include:
The fund will be guided by an external advisory board made up of experts in the field, including:
"Quality treatment and early intervention are vital, particularly in a developing child with a traumatic injury," said Dr. Winston. "I am honored to serve with Dr. Gray and Dr. Okada, combining our unique strengths to help address this critical need."
"With the guidance of our expert advisors, we want to help strengthen and expand access to support systems for children with traumatic brain injuries as well as their families," said Tellis Bethel, chief social innovation officer, Toyota Motor North America.
The following recipients will use the grants to advance pediatric TBI care by:
In pursuit of creating mobility for all and inspired by the principles of the Toyota Way, the fund aims to help illuminate a way forward for patients and their families, demonstrating respect for people and continuous improvement. Future phases will expand support to additional states and populations in need, with the goal of supporting systems for children and their families in a sustainable way.
For more information, visit www.toyotawayforward.org.
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 65 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.
Toyota directly employs more than 48,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 45 million cars and trucks at our 13 manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota's 14th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 20 electrified options, the most among any automaker, with more in showrooms later this year.
Through the Start Your Impossible campaign, Toyota highlights the way it partners with community, civic, academic and governmental organizations to address our society's most pressing mobility challenges. We believe that when people are free to move, anything is possible. For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.
Media ContactVictor VanovToyota Corporate CommunicationsVictor.vanov@toyota.com
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SOURCE Toyota Motor North America