It’s the number one killer and disabler of youth and young people under the age of 44.
Diagnosed cases of it outweigh confirmed cases of strokes, skin cancer and breast cancer combined. Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) affects 56,000 Canadians yearly, and June is the one month of the year where Canadians can be especially aware of ABI, as June is Brain Injury Awareness Month.
Glenda James, Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Brain Injury Association released the following statement in a letter. “By designating June as official awareness month, the Saskatchewan Brain Injury Association promotes the prevention of brain injuries with information and educational programs in addition to its efforts to improve the lives of brain injury survivors and their families.”
Darlene May and Denise Sarada, both members of the Kindersley Branch of The Royal Purple, explained that this month is a special month for them to raise awareness for brain injuries, as they are a proud supporter of Saskatchewan Brain Injury Association.
“A brain injury can happen to anyone, anytime, so we would like to encourage people to take precautions like wearing helmets and practising safety at all times.” Sarada explained that the Kindersley Royal Purple has already visited several schools in the SunWest School Division in order to bring awareness to the youth in our communities.
“When we started to ask about brain injury, it was startling to see the number of hands that went up when we asked about who had a brain injury or who knew of someone with a brain injury—this just shows how much it matters to use common sense and safety gear in order to prevent this from happening to more and more of our young people.”
To support their point, The Royal Purple held a draw for two bike helmets in each school, encouraging all students to wear their helmets while riding bicycles. The Royal Purple also has Roughrider Melon helmets for purchase at $100 apiece; proceeds will head to the Saskatchewan Brain Injury Association.
In addition to aiding in educational programs for brain injuries, The Royal Purple also is involved in a weekly Brain Injury walk in the WCEC every Thursday around 6:30 p.m. as a way for survivors and supporters of survivors to give and take support in their walk after brain injuries.
Some more interesting facts about ABI include the following:
- 50% of brain injuries are the result of a motor vehicle collision
- 30% of the injuries are due to work-related injuries, assault, illness or firearms
- 70% of ABI survivors are between the ages of 18 and 28
- Of the 56,000 cases of ABI each year, 36,000 sustain injury enough to require hospitalization; 9,000 require long-term rehabilitation; 6,000 will live with a disability; and 2,500 will not survive the injury
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