BIAW Promoting Brain Injury Awareness Month with ‘Purple Thursdays’
March is Brain Injury Awareness Month and the Brain Injury Alliance of Wisconsin (BIAW) along with the United States Brain Injury Alliance (USBIA) and various affiliates from more than a dozen states across the U.S. are combining their efforts to promote awareness of traumatic brain injury. Two campaigns the BIAW is promoting with the USBIA […]
March is Brain Injury Awareness Month and the Brain Injury Alliance of Wisconsin (BIAW) along with the United States Brain Injury Alliance (USBIA) and various affiliates from more than a dozen states across the U.S. are combining their efforts to promote awareness of traumatic brain injury.
Two campaigns the BIAW is promoting with the USBIA for the month of March include one called Purple Thursdays and another called Pennies for Your Thoughts. The campaigns are designed to shine a spotlight on traumatic brain injury, which is often referred to as “the silent epidemic.”
The mission of the United States Brain Injury Alliance is to engage the community in preventing brain injury and improving lives. Similarly, the BIAW states its mission is the prevention of brain injury and the full participation in life for individuals with brain injury.
Brain injury is the leading cause of death and disability in children and young adults, according to the USBIA. This year alone, 1.7 million Americans will sustain traumatic brain injury (TBI).
To bring awareness to the issue of TBI, the BIAW has invited anyone touched by brain injury to wear purple every Thursday in March. Doing so will show support to those who have been affected by brain injury in Wisconsin – and will show support to those who have family members or loved ones who have been affected by TBI.
“People wearing purple are then invited to share their support by sending a photo of themselves or their group to the BIAW at admin@biaw.org. The BIAW will use the pictures to spread awareness by posting them on its web site and via social media.”
A second campaign called Pennies for Your Thoughts is also being held the month of March in recognition of those who have been affected by TBI, their loved ones, and their caregivers. The campaign encourages people to donate change from their piggy bank, couch cushions, or car’s cup holder to BIAW. The spare change will help the BIAW continue their work to advocate for those with brain injuries and their loved ones. A donation jar can also be placed on a desk at work and then turned over to the BIAW.
“Any method and any size donation helps,” the BIAW says.
For more information on Purple Thursdays or Pennies for Your Thoughts, or for general information on brain injury, contact the Brain Injury Alliance of Wisconsin at 262-790-9660 or visit BIAW.org .
Photos of Purple Thursday can be e-mailed to admin@biaw.org. Pennies for Your Thoughts donations can be mailed to BIAW, 6409 Odana Rd., Ste 1H, Madison, WI 53719.
The BIAW is a 501(c)(3) organization and is a registered charity in the state of Wisconsin.
