March is Brain Injury Awareness Month

SEATTLE, March 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In recognition of March as Brain Injury Awareness Month, the Brain Injury Association of Washington (BIAWA) is launching a state-wide education and advocacy campaign: "A Concussion is a Brain Injury. Get the Facts."

According to Deborah Crawley, Executive Director of BIAWA, "As leaders nationally in concussion prevention, through the passage of the Zackery Lystedt law here in Washington State, we are committed to supporting the safety of all of our youth when playing the sports they love.  Coaches, parents and youth athletes need to know that a concussion is a brain injury. Medical evaluation by a licensed health care provider before returning to play following a concussion or even suspicion of a concussion is essential to the athlete's short-term and long-term health.  Being aware of the signs, symptoms and local resources when responding to concussions is the best way to protect young athletes."  

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

Local attorney, Richard H. Adler, member of the Board of Directors for the Brain Injury Association of Washington, is one of the leaders working towards bringing together a national coalition of youth sports associations regarding the standard-of-care for sports-related concussions. Mr. Adler recently spoke at both the Concussion Summit at the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) in Indianapolis and as part of the Center for Disease Control's webinar, "Concussion in Youth Sports: An Overview of Programs, Policy & Resources."  He also was a resource and quoted for the February 8, 2010 Time Magazine – The Most Dangerous Game issue.

Founded in 1983 and celebrating its 27^th Anniversary, the Brain Injury Association of Washington (BIAWA) is dedicated to providing prevention and support services to all Washingtonians who have suffered a traumatic brain injury.  BIAWA is the voice for the hundreds of thousands who are affected and the over 20,000 who suffer a TBI annually in Washington State.   For more information about the Brain Injury Association of Washington call 253-238-6085 or the TBI Helpline at 1-877-824-1766

SOURCE The Brain Injury Association of Washington