Widener to Pitch in to Promote Brain Safety

Philadelphia – Nearly 100 students and faculty members from Widener University’s Institute for Physical Therapy Education will join forces with the Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania to promote brain injury awareness and prevention. In support of Brain Awareness Week, PT students and faculty have volunteered to help organize and participate in the 2011 Brain Safety Fairs on Wednesday, March 16, 5-8 p.m. and Saturday, March 19, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.

The BIAPA will also support two additional Brain Safety Fairs sponsored by the Philadelphia chapter of the Society for Neuroscience at the Franklin Institute on Thursday, March 17 and Friday, March 18,both from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

The March 16 fair falls on a Target Community Night at the Franklin Institute, which means admission is free. All four fairs will feature family-friendly presentations and activities that demonstrate how the brain works and ways to keep it safe. During the March 16 and 19 fairs, Widener volunteers will help fit and distribute complimentary bicycle helmets to adults and children on a first come, first served basis. All children in attendance can also get their picture taken for a bike license as an added measure of safety. Dr. Sam Pierce, associate professor of physical therapy at Widener and Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania board member, will help coordinate the Society for Neuroscience volunteers for the March 17 and 18 events to also perform the fittings.

“These events are a great way for our PT students and faculty to connect with children and their parents to teach them how to prevent concussions,” said Pierce.

With support from Magee Rehabilitation Hospital and the Council on Brain Injury, the Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania and Widener University will distribute more than 1200 bicycle helmets over the duration of all four Brain Safety Fairs.

The Brain Safety Fairs are part of Brain Awareness Week, which is the global campaign to increase public awareness about the progress and benefits of brain research. Founded and coordinated by the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives and European Dana Alliance for the Brain, BAW's sixteenth annual celebration takes place this year from March 14-20.