The annual Walk-A-Thon for the Alabama Head Injury Foundation has been given a new name. The event, set to take place at 9 a.m. Oct. 16 at Bloch Park, will now officially be known as the Daniel Rainwater Memorial Walk for the Alabama Head Injury Foundation.

The Walk-A-Thon is sponsored by the Pilot Club of Selma, WDXX, and the Epsilon Sigma Alpha sorority.

Daniel Rainwater died last September at the age of 25, nearly 15 years after a car accident left with a severe injury that made him unable to walk, sit-up, or talk.

Daniel and his mother, Carol, had been vocal advocates for additional funding for organizations that help head injury victims.

The two traveled to Washington, D.C. and the state capital in Montgomery to speak with lawmakers about how much the Alabama Head Injury Foundation has done for them and others.

“Danny was the instigator for us to start this walk,” said Pauline Bryant, a Pilot Club member. “It was decided to name the walk after him because he suffered for so long.”

Though she is still coping with the loss of her son, Carol Rainwater said she plans to take part in the Walk-A-Thon “not only for Daniel, but for all the other Daniels out there.”

“It is such an honor to have this event named after Daniel,” she said. “Daniel is now doing God’s work, and that is what this walk is all about.”

The Alabama Head Injury Foundation helps people with traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord injuries by providing them with access to community resources.

Foundation coordinators, who are trained about brain and spinal cord injuries, meet with clients in their home and help them understand their disabilities.

The coordinator also helps clients meet their goals and obtain financial assistance for medications and other equipment if necessary.

“The people in town have been wonderful,” Rainwater said. “When it comes time to help, they help to support us in a major way.”

Rainwater added that two local schools, Meadowview Christian School and Central Christian Academy, have both been big supporters of the Walk-A-Thon each year.

“I’d like to see more high school kids get up early next Saturday morning,” she said. “It could make all the difference in the world.

Bryant said after making a donation, participants usually walk about five laps around the track behind Memorial Stadium.

“We hope to raise quite a bit of funds,” Bryant said. “We have so many people get hurt in car accidents in this area. There are a lot of teenagers that get hurt in car accidents and they need our support.”

The Walk-A-Thon will begin registration about 8 a.m. and the walk is set to begin at 9 a.m.