Medtronic Foundation Makes Donation to APF in Honor of Global Hero Emily Bredehoft

The Medtronic Foundation recently donated $1,000 to the American Pain Foundation to honor Global Hero Emily Bredehoft. Bredehoft has an implantable spinal cord stimulator (SCS) to treat chronic pain and was chosen by the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon to be part of its 2011 class of 25 Global Heroes after a worldwide search for runners whose lives have been improved with the help of medical devices.

Bredehoft, of San Jose, Calif., lived in constant pain after a workplace accident that caused a back injury. At first walking and running were part of her rehabilitation, but eventually the pain became debilitating and she was unable to run. Bredehoft was diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and received an SCS to manager her pain. Six weeks later she completed a half marathon, and has been running ever since.

"I want to inspire [people with pain] to continue to search for the treatment that is right for them," says Bredehoft.

Each Global Hero received paid entry into the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon or Medtronic TC 10 Mile race on October 2, 2011. Bredehoft ran the Medtronic TC 10 Mile, finishing in 2:00:47.

Out-of-town honorees also received a spending allowance to help cover travel, lodging and meal expenses. As part of the Global Heroes program, the Medtronic Foundation donates $1,000 to a nonprofit patient organization on behalf of each runner.

For more information about the Global Hero program, see: http://www.medtronic.com/2011globalheroes/index.html.