A blow to the head during a rugby game changed the life of Whangarei's Karlene Joyce forever.
The fit, working mother of three blacked out briefly but played on while feeling dizzy and nauseous. Two days later during a hospital visit she was diagnosed with delayed traumatic brain injury.
Ms Joyce sought the aid of the Northland Brain Injury Association, which helps about 150 Northlanders a year deal with their injury.
The association has been operating for about 18 years in the region but struggles to survive on grants and donations.
So a bunch of Whangarei friends have come together to organise the Spring Blast with all the profits of the evening going to support the association.
John Peterson, Liz Davies and Barry Cooper are the driving trio behind the Spring Blast and after the inaugural event was a huge success they decided to run another one to be staged on October 1.
Northland-based liaison officer Vikki Herdman said brain injury was often called the "silent epidemic" and referred to as a "hidden injury" because most times there were no outwardly visible changes.
Brain injuries can be caused by a sudden impact to the head from car crashes, violence, falls or sporting injuries. Other causes include health-related incidents such as strokes, meningitis, brain tumours and chemical brain injuries as a result of poisoning by drugs, alcohol, gases, solvents and pesticides.
"Brain injuries can have life-changing results for a person and those around them," Ms Herdman said.
Typical difficulties are memory problems, fatigue, balance problems and cognitive impairment, which affects the ability to think, concentrate and formulate ideas.
It has taken a while for Ms Joyce to get back on track since the injury in July 2005, but she says the association continues to help her.
"Their help gives me a sense of control and order in my life."
The Brain Injury Association in Whangarei provides support, information and advocacy.
The Spring Blast is billed as an evening of music, cold drinks, fantastic food and entertainment. If you are interested contact John on 027 439 3030.