ARMC Spreads Brain Injury Awareness for the Month of March

To raise awareness for March's Brain Injury Awareness month, on Monday, March 14, and Friday, March 18, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) set up a booth and not only shared important information about brain injuries and safety tips but also gave away helmets to ensure children are staying safe while out riding bikes, scooters, rollerblades, etc. ARMC’s Injury Prevention Health Education Specialist II Vickie Smith explained that the purpose of the event was to spread the importance of wearing a helmet while riding a bicycle, scooter, etc. This was ARMC's first year putting on this event in honor of Brain Injury Awareness Month. "Each month we are trying to do some type of awareness event," she added. "We don't want any of these kids to end up in our trauma department; that's why we are promoting this so they're aware." Both days, several Neurosurgery residents stopped by to help pass out helmets and talk to kids about brain injuries. Neurosurgery resident Bailey Zampella explained that the major thing that a lot of people aren't aware of is the space between the skull and the brain and if you fall off a bike, without wearing a helmet, and the brain rattles around, it could cause bleeding. The helmets for the event were donated by IEHP and in just one day, over 200 were given away. It didn't stop there; the second day of the event, Friday, seemed even busier as a myriad of community members, visitors and patients from the hospital stopped by on their way out and in to pick up a helmet, miscellaneous items, or a simple safety brochure. "Something as simple as falling off your bike could cause a really big injury to your brain," she added. Zampella was brought in to serve with a different perspective at the event since she deals with patients after they have had a misfortunate accident. Although the event was aimed to teach young children about the importance of safety, anyone was able to stop by to get their head measured to receive a helmet. "We prefer them to have their kids with them so we can measure their heads to make sure it's the right size, but it's not necessary," Smith shared. Many moms and dads were able to get all their kids helmets regardless if they were present or not. Children ranging from ages 3 and above were able to leave the hospital with a brand new helmet among other fun toys including comic books, wristbands, and more.