SEATTLE, Oct. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Brain Injury Association of Washington is pleased to announce that local treasure and internationally recognized glass artist, Ginny Ruffner, will be honored as their Honorary Chair at the 5th Annual Brain Injury Association of Washington Gala Auction & Dinner, taking place at the Seattle Grand Hyatt. Ginny follows in a long line of distinguished Chairs, including Dr. Richard Ellenboggen, Chief of Neurosurgery at the University of Washington M.C., Harborview M.C. and Children's Hospital and the Co-Director of the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Medical Committee, Governor Christine Gregoire, journalist Bob Woodruff of ABC News, and most recently, NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell.

Ginny's most recent work, The Urban Garden was dedicated this past summer at the NW corner of 7th Avenue & Union Street in downtown Seattle. This 9 foot tall and 7 foot wide waterpot blooms every 15 minutes, after the flowers are periodically watered by a watering can.  A viewing window enables viewers to see the interior mechanisms at work.

Ginny Ruffner is a Seattle artist whose glass sculptures helped create the field of lampworked glass art world-wide. Besides glass sculptures, she also creates metal sculptures, paintings, public art, pop-up books, and commissioned works.  Despite suffering a serious traumatic brain injury over 20 years ago in an automobile accident, Ginny fought to continue to pursue her art.  Her perseverance through her journey to continue her passion for creating has contributed to the beauty that we continue to experience.

According to Deborah Crawley, Executive Director of the BIAWA, "We are honored that Ginny Ruffner will be part of our annual Gala.  It speaks to the diversity of the work of the BIAWA that last year we had Commissioner Goodell here and the emphasis was on our work in concussion prevention and this year we are focusing on the strength and artistry of Ginny.  In a year of many highlights, getting to meet and work with Ginny has been one of the most rewarding.  She is a phenomena in her own right.  Brain injuries touch the lives of all of us and the BIAWA is here to support all."

The 5th Annual Gala Auction & Dinner will be held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Seattle.  Major sponsors include UBS Financial Services, the law firms of Adler-Giersch, P.S., Nelson, Langer, Engle, PLLC, and Messina, Bulzomi, & Christiansen, the U.W. Medical Center, Porsche Club Northwest, and X2 Impact.

Founded in 1982 and celebrating its 29th Anniversary, the Brain Injury Association of Washington (BIAWA) is dedicated to providing prevention and support services to all Washingtonians who have suffered a traumatic brain injury.  The BIAWA is the voice for the hundreds of thousands who are affected and the over 20,000 who suffer a TBI annually in Washington State. For more information about the Brain Injury Association of Washington call 1-877-98BIAWA (982-4292) or the TBI Resource Line at 1-877-824-1766.

www.BrainInjuryWA.org

SOURCE The Brain Injury Association of Washington