Be aware of hazards of brain injuries

The Brain Injury Association of Iowa, in partnership with its national office, the Brain Injury Association of America and its nationwide network of 44 chartered state affiliates, is working to educate and bring awareness about brain injury.

This year's focus is on sports and concussions. We challenge parents, coaches, school administrators and teachers, athletic organizations, city parks and recreation departments, athletes and the public to get the facts about concussions. A concussion is a brain injury and most occur without the loss of consciousness, so all concussions must be taken seriously.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 3.8 million sports and recreation-related concussions occur each year. U.S. emergency departments treat an estimated 135,000 related traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), including concussions, among children ages 5 to 18.

Join our yearlong campaign. For more information, visit the Brain Injury Association of Iowa Web site at www.biaia.org or call our toll-free Helpline at 1-(800) 444-6443. Get involved. No one should face the trauma of a brain injury alone.

Geoffrey Lauer

Executive Director

Brain Injury Association of Iowa