ICANTOO.ORG HOME PAGE
International Coalition for the Advancement of Neurology (ICAN)

is an all-volunteer non-profit corporation organized after 49 year old Fermin Camarena suffered a massive hemmorhagic stroke in 2003 that left him a recovering hemiplegic.

Coming up on his fifth anniversary, Fermin's recovery has been slow and painful, yet completely remarkable. Within two years after the stroke, Fermin was training for marathon walks. Now at age 53, his recovery has included participating in 2 triatholons, 1 half marathon, 1 marathon, and 1 one-mile ocean swim. The assistance of a recumbent tricycle has helped put new life into his "old bones". Fermin also makes time to visit people in the hospital ICU and rehabilitation, and talk with them, even if they have no-one else.

With his determination and a strong positive attitude, Fermin's recovery has been to say the least...remarkable and inspiring!

In seeking information about stroke and other neurological disorders, Fermin's friends discovered that there is a large population of people under the age of 55, including very young children, who suffer from strokes and other neurological disorders. As a result of those findings, this site was founded and strives to help fill a need to inspire and motivate others by providing resources and stories of recovery.

I Can...You Can Too !  ~Fermin Camarena


ICAN's purpose is to promote research, increase funding for new research projects with the goal of diagnosing and decreasing the occurrance of neurological diseases and disorders, and to provide education and support for the families of those who suffer these diseases and disorders. In order to achieve this goal we rely solely on tax deductible contributions from individuals and businesses.


Help Us Help Others by making a TAX-FREE PayPal donation today !

TAX ID 20-3616873

Sponsor Of The Month


Kiwanis International - San Clemente Chapter K04103
(click to visit their site now)

Urgent - Sponsors Needed!!!


On October 8, 2008 the U.S. Adaptive Recreation Center is hosting the 14th annual Peak to Peak pedal ride (355 miles from Big Bear to Mammoth). All participants need to come with a minimum of $1500 in donations. ICAN needs your help.

Click to make a donation NOW

TAX ID 20-3616873

or
contact Fermin at fermcam@cox.net for more information.

Our deadline is October 1, 2008. As always, your donations and pledges are tax deductible.
So far we have raised $895 (last updated 8/16/2008)

Peak to Peak Donors List:
Fermin Camarena - $100
Nancy Camarena - $100
Barry Stansfield - $25
John Elliott - $75
Seymour B. Klein - $10
Adrian Camarena - $100
Anna Camarena - $100
Mom Camarena - $50
anonymous - $15
Jesse Garcia Sr. - $100
Evelyn E. Thompson - $100
Joan F. Pinkus - $20
Gary J. Gerber - $100

In The Spotlight


Mona improves her upper-body strength and endurance.

She Can Too!!!

Press & Events


In The News

Feb 24, 2008 - Eye On SJC - "Capistrano Dispatch"
January, 2008 - "Dr. Dung Trinh - Physician of Excellence"
November 2006 - "The Lariat"

Upcoming Events

September 14 2008 - 28th Annual Start! Orange County Heart Walk - For Strokes Too!!!

Completed Events

July 29 2008 - San Juan Capistrano - Relay For Life
Trini Perez will attemp 100 miles! - COMPLETED 70 Miles!!!
Fermin will attempt 125 miles! - COMPLETED 125 MILES !!!
We raised $500
- WE ALL CAN TOO !!!
May 26 2008 - Saddleback Memorial Half Marathon
April 27 2008 - Loma Linda PossAbilities Triathalon
March 2 - Los Angeles 2008 Marathon
Hosted by Honda
January 2008- Orange County Marathon
November 2007 - Dana Point Turkey Trot
October 2007 - Long Beach International City Bank Marathon
September 2007 - La Jolla Rough Water Swim
July 2007 - San Juan Capistrano - Relay For Life
April 2007 - San Diego Triton Man Triathalon
 

Resources


Stroke Warning Signs
How to tell if someone has had a stroke
American Stroke Association
American Heart Association
Dr. Eleonora S. Spokooyny, M.D.,AMA, QME
John C. Eberhart
(Eberhart Home Health)

Bristol Park Medical - My Health Zone
Mission Hospital Brain Trauma Center
 

Success Stories


Victims who are living proof that
"I CAN" after a brain trauma:

Fermin's Recovery Story
Barry Stansfield's Story of Recovery
John deFeo's Story
Terry "Hoppy" Dean Story
Elle aka Stellrhawk
Special Olympics - Photo Gallery - Perspiration & Inspiration
 

Supported Agencies


We are pleased to share your donations with the following agencies - Note: All donations go to Neurology Research

Pediatric Cancer Research Organization
Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center
Lance Armstrong Foundation
American Cancer Society
Team Duke
 
Special Thanks to teamPossAbilities

It all started when I met a special person in ICU at Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, CA. I would visit her once in the morning and again after school. She stayed for a period of time. While visiting her, I started meeting people that had friends or family there. They asked me if I would stop by and offer words of encouragement. I started giving those patients some of my medals. If you could have only seen their faces! I know what it takes to finish a triatholon. The patients know they have a long road to recovery, and having that medal makes that road a little easier to walk. I want to offer a "Special Thank You" to everyone at teamPossAbilities for giving me extra medals to hand out. Together we give people hope and inspiration.

~ICAN

Rehabilitation


Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center
Dr. Steven C. Cramer
Celeste Ryan,M.S.
Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Program

Saddleback College Adaptive Kinesiology
Irvine College Adaptive Kinesiology - Keith Shackleford
Challenged Athletes Foundation
Big Fun Therapy And Recreational Services For Children With Special Needs
Rancho Sports
Neuro Talk
Brain Talk Communities
Cal State Fullerton We Care Project - Thanks to Candi Dale
Surfer's Healing - seeks to enrich the lives of children with autism and the lives of their families by exposing them to the unique experience of surfing. - Thanks to Izzy
T-RYX - Recumbent Trikes

Powered by the beast within...because fossil fuels are extinct!
Thanks Hoppy !!!

Bent Up Cycles - Thanks Neil !!!