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TMA MEDIA ADVISORY
For Immediate Release
Oct. 2, 2009
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Contact: Pam Udall
phone:(512) 370-1382
cell: (512) 413-6807
Pam Udall
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Contact: Brent Annear
phone: (512) 370-1381
cell: (512) 656-7320
Brent Annear
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WHAT: In an effort to protect children from head injuries and encourage fitness, TMA’s Hard Hats for Little Heads program will give away more than 3,500 bicycle helmets during Brain Injury Awareness Month in October.
- WHEN: Oct. 1-31, 2009
- WHERE: Across the state (see schedule below)
- WHO: TMA physicians, medical students, TMA Alliance members (TMA physician volunteers and TMA members’ spouses), and county medical societies
When Texas children take the seat of their first vehicle — a bicycle — Texas physicians want to ensure they are wearing bicycle helmets, and wearing them correctly, to avoid head injuries.
Head injury is the most common cause of death and serious disability from bike crashes. Bicycle helmets can reduce the risk of head injury by as much as 85 percent, yet only about 50 percent of cyclists wear a helmet when they ride. Even less wear them correctly.
Throughout October, which is designated as Brain Injury Awareness Month, Texas children will receive free bicycle helmets at giveaway events across the state sponsored by TMA physicians and other volunteers. Parents and children will learn about the importance of wearing a properly fitting helmet.
TMA physicians encourage the use of helmets for every wheeled sport, including biking, skateboarding, inline skating, and when riding a scooter. Children also are encouraged to ride their bikes as often as possible to stay fit and healthy.
Below is a schedule of Hard Hats for Little Heads events across the state. Look for one in your community. Reporters: To learn more about TMA’s Hard Hats for Little Heads program or your local event, please contact Pam Udall or Brent Annear in TMA’s Media Relations Department.
| Date |
Event |
Local Sponsor |
Location |
| 10/3 |
Fair on the Square
(helmet safety booth)
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Walker-Madison-Trinity County Medical Society (CMS) |
Town Square in Huntsville
9 am until helmets are gone
Local contact: Beverly Hessel, (936) 291-4542
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| 10/3 |
Hooray for Health
(helmet safety booth)
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McLennan CMS and Alliance |
Indian Springs Park (located on University Parks Dr. between Franklin and Washington Aves.) in Waco
10 am-2 pm
Local contact: Kay Sheehy, (254) 744-1420, or Marcy White, (254) 366-6393
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| 10/3 |
Health fair |
The Community Clinic and Conroe Independent School District (ISD) |
Travis Intermediate School, 1100 N. Thompson St., Conroe
9 am-noon
Local contact: Anita Phillips, (281) 364-7889
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| 10/6 |
Bike repair and safety presentation |
Potter-Randall CMS Alliance, Lakeview PTA, and Canyon Police Department |
Lakeview Elementary, 6407 Lair Rd.,Amarillo
5:30-7:30 pm
Local contact: Carolyn Canon, (806) 673-2938
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| 10/8 |
Community Resources Roundup
(helmet safety booth)
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Taylor-Jones-Haskell-Callahan CMS Alliance |
Abilene ISD Center, 241 Pine, Abilene
5-8 pm
Local contact: Jody DePriest, (325) 669-3312
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| 10/9-10 |
Cajun Catfish Festival
(helmet safety booth)
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Denise Dang, MD, and St. Joseph-Montgomery Family Medicine Clinic |
Downtown Conroe, Friday 6-10 pm, Saturday, 11 am-8pm, Local contact: Denise Dang, MD, (936) 597-8615 |
| 10/10 |
Healthy U/Healthy Youth
(helmet safety booth)
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Midland CMS |
Midland Horseshoe Arena, I-20 service road at the intersection of Cotton Flat Rd.
9:30 am-2 pm, free admission
Local contact: Beverly Dyer, (432) 682-4308
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| 10/22 |
Our Kids Are Hard-Headed
(for 2nd graders in Bryan, College Station ISDs)
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Drs. Andrew de Jong and Ron Kuppersmith and Texas A&M Athletic Department |
Kyle Field, Texas A&M University campus, College Station
8 am
Local contact: Mary Whitmire, (979) 693-6000
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| 10/24 |
Scarecrow Festival
(bike helmet giveaway)
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Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Kaufman |
Downtown Kaufman
8 am-5 pm
Local contact: Pat Jackson (972) 932-7394
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| 10/24 |
D.O. Dash 5K Run |
The University of North Texas Health Science Center and Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine Class of 2012 |
UNTHSC Alumni Plaza, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth,
9 am
Local contact: David Do, (940) 391-4905
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| 10/24 |
Health Circus |
Texas A&M Medical Student Chapter |
Hearne Elementary, 1210 Hackberry, Hearne
9 am-2 pm
Local contact: Michelle Ganyo, (281)787-6118
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TMA's Hard Hats for Little Heads is sponsored by its philanthropic arm, the TMA Foundation, thanks to generous donations from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas and Prudential Financial, and gifts from physicians and their families. Since the program began, physicians and their families have given away more than 65,000 helmets to Texas children. TMA is the largest state medical society in the nation, representing nearly 44,000 physicians and medical students. It is located in Austin and has 120 component county medical societies around the state. TMA's key objective since 1853 is to improve the health of all Texans.
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Last Published: 10/2/2009 Print this page
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