News from Harry Zarins, Executive Director of the Brain Injury Association of Canada
I just want to keep you in the loop on some important things out of Ottawa AND also provide you with information on Brain Injury Awareness Month and other developments.
Please feel free to circulate this information within your communities. Read the rest of this entry »
Brain Injury Association of Canada – Our Cause: Acquired Brain Injury
In an instant a life is changed, forever. Everyday we participate in activities that produce endless risks for sustaining a brain injury: car accidents, a fall from a bike, or a blow to the head. It is estimated that thousands of Canadians incur a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), also known as a concussion, each year, the majority being young adults. Statistics indicate that the incidence of brain injury is two times greater in men. The Brain Injury Association of Canada (BIAC) strives to raise awareness of the incidence of acquired brain injury (ABI) in Canada.
A brain injury may make it necessary for the injured person to require full time assistance. Families often become the primary caregiver and support person. Many families are left to cope on their own. They sometimes have little understanding of the effects of the injury and the demands that will be made of them by an injured family member. Families need support from others who understand the effects of acquired brain injury. The Brain Injury Association of Canada (BIAC) provides a shared forum for the support of both families and survivors. BIAC also advocates for the enhancement of support services.
Prevention through public education, and safety legislation is the key to the reducing the occurrence of ABI amongst Canadians. The Brain Injury Association of Canada engages in extensive public education initiatives through its many local community associations across Canada.
Neuroscience and injury prevention research is another key to addressing ABI. The Brain Injury Association of Canada endeavours to support and promote research in Canada and internationally.
Brain Injury Association of Canada – Our Mission
At the founding meeting in July 2003 in Montreal, members from brain injury associations from across Canada, representing survivors, families, medical and research professionals identified the need to create the Brain Injury Association of Canada.
Our mandate is to improve the quality of life for all Canadians affected by acquired brain injury and promote its prevention. BIAC is dedicated to the facilitation of post-trauma research, education and advocacy in partnership with national, provincial/territorial and regional associations and other stakeholders.
BIAC is incorporated as a national charitable organization under the Canada Corporations Act and the Canada Revenue Agency.
Make an online donation / gift to the Brain Injury Association of Canada
REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN
The Brain Injury Association of Canada (BIAC) announces its successful national Annual Conference in Regina, Saskatchewan, staged jointly with Brain Trust, the Annual Conference of the Saskatchewan Acquired Brain Injury Partnership Project. The Conference was attended by survivors of acquired brain injury with their family and support members, as well as professionals devoted to service to those persons, plus researchers into various aspects of prevention and treatment.
The Board of Directors of The Brain Injury Association of Canada comprises the designates from each provincial Brain Injury Association, plus several at-large directors.
The Board of Directors of The Brain Injury Association of Canada is pleased to announce its new executive: Larry Carlson (SK), President; Jeannette Holman-Price (NL), VP; Barb Butler (SK), VP Administration; Pauline Lute, (NB), Treasurer; Shelly Wieser (AB), Secretary and Shirley Johnson (BC), Past President. Harry Zarins (ON) is the organization’s Executive Director.
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Colleagues,
Over the last few weeks brain injuries have been in the news on a number of fronts, so much so that not everything can be posted onto our website. For those who wish to keep themselves fully informed try Google Alerts – Traumatic Brain Injury and you will be kept up to date on a daily basis.
Our conference is a month away and for the first time in our history BIAC has exceeded pre-registrations of over 125 people with applications trickling in on a daily basis. We may be looking at having over 200 registrations for 2010. BIAC Conference Brochure
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Please feel free to circulate this widely.
I hope everyone is having a great summer!
2010 Brain Injury Awareness Month
First and foremost, I want to thank all the community members who worked so hard to create awareness to the general public about Acquired Brain Injury from Newfoundland and Labrador to Vancouver Island. One could write a book on all the good things that went on this past month.
Thank YOU to one and all!!
2010 Brain Injury Association of Canada Conference
It has been a busy few weeks but I do want to touch on a few things as the summer season progresses.I know that our conference is just around the corner. Take a look at our great list of BIAC conference speakers and our program and please register.
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BRAIN INJURY AWARENESS MONTH ACTIVITIES – ENGAGE CANADIANS
brainStormRIDE
Brad Cownden from Victoria, B.C. cycling across CANADA solo to create awareness about BRAIN INJURIES and Raising FUNDS for The Brain Injury Association of CANADA and the Victoria Brain Injury Society. He will start his ride in Victoria on June 1st and finish in St. John’s, NFLD on August 6th, 2010. The brainStormRIDE Canada Itinerary (pdf)
Brad’s father Kevin writes:
“The brainSTORMRide has been a project started by Brad and his cousin Carin and has gone through some changes in the last two years in the making to now. Brad is now doing this as a solo ride. Myself and his mother Lori and his girlfriend Renata will be his crew here in Victoria. Brad will be alone on many miles of road between here and the end of his journey in Newfoundland This is why we feel it is so very important for people like yourself, Harry and Barb and the many others out there like you, to greet Brad and give him your support… a hand shake and or a pat on the back as we all will do here in Victoria to send him off.
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