Give a Bike — AND a Helmet, Physicians Say, to Ensure Safety

TMA to give children more than 5,000 helmets in December 

 

For Immediate Release 
Dec. 2, 2010  

  

Contact: Pam Udall
phone: (512) 370-1382
cell: (512) 413-6807  

Brent Annear
phone: (512) 370-1381
cell: (512) 656-7320  

 

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If you’re thrilling a child with a shiny new bicycle under the tree this holiday season, the physicians of the Texas Medical Association (TMA) urge you to include the accessory that could save your child’s life — a helmet.

Doctors say bikes with helmets are great gifts, because they encourage exercise. “We want to encourage kids to exercise on a regular basis, especially in light of Texas’ obesity epidemic,” says TMA physician leader John B. Wright, MD, a Port Lavaca family physician. “But we want kids to exercise safely.”

Throughout December, TMA physicians and TMA Alliance members, in cooperation with local community organizations, will sponsor bicycle helmet giveaways across the state, including in your area (see list of events below).

Wearing a properly-fitted helmet is key to preventing a serious head injury. An avid cyclist, Dr. Wright says he wears a helmet every time he rides. He encourages children in his community to do the same.

“When properly fitted, a bicycle helmet can prevent serious head injury up to 85 percent of the time. That’s an astounding figure,” says Dr. Wright. “Helmets do prevent injuries and can save lives.”

This TMA video describes how a helmet should fit for maximum protection: snugly over the child’s forehead, about 1 inch above the eyebrows.

Wearing a helmet that is too big, too small, old, or unbuckled will not fully protect a head. Also, helmets wear out and should be replaced every few years, or when a child outgrows a helmet.

 “It only takes an instant for a disaster to strike that can have life-changing consequences,” says Dr. Wright, who knows people whose lives likely were saved by wearing a helmet. “Medical technology has come a long way in what we can treat, but it cannot cure everything. The more head and brain injuries we prevent, the more lives we save,” he adds.

Since 1994, TMA has given away 85,000 helmets to children through its Hard Hats for Little Heads program. The program promotes fun exercise and teaches parents and children about the importance of wearing a helmet.

Below is a schedule of TMA’s Hard Hats for Little Heads helmet giveaways across the state in December. 

TMA is the largest state medical society in the nation, representing nearly 45,000 physician and medical student members. 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.   

TMA’s Hard Hats for Little Heads Schedule: December 2010 

 

Date 

Event 

Local Sponsor of Helmet Giveaway 

Location, Time, Info contact  

11/27-12/23 

Christian Community Action toy store (shop for parents who can’t afford to purchase gifts for their children) 

Tamra Deuser, MD, and Christian Community Action 

Christian Community Action, 200 S. Mill St., Lewisville, Monday-Saturday, 9 am-6 pm, Local contact: Maureen Cummings (972) 219-4344 or Dr. Tamra Deuser (214) 564-0068 

12/11 

Navidad en el Barrio Christmas program 

Texas Children’s Hospital 

George R. Brown Convention Center, 1001 Avenida De Las Americas., Houston, 8:30-11:30 am, Local contact: Seema Patel, (832) 828-1308 

12/11 

Bike rodeo (precedes Holiday Fitness Festival) 

Seven Flags Regional Advisory Council on Trauma and Pro Bike 

North Central Park, Laredo, 9:30-11 am, Local contact: Julie Tijerina (956) 206-4946 

12/14 

 

Helmet giveaway 

Tarrant County Medical Society (CMS) Alliance 

Ben Barber Career Tech (auto tech department), 1120 W. Debbie Ln., Mansfield, 10 am, Local contact: Rick Curlee, (817) 299-1939 

12/17 

JB & Sandy’s Bikes for Kids 

Travis CMS Alliance 

Mellow Johnny’s bike shop, 400 Nueces St., Austin, beginning at 5:30 am, Local contact: Laurel Hooper (512) 762-8718 

12/18 

Caring Place’s Pictures with Santa 

Williamson CMS and CMS Alliance 

Caring Place, 2000 Railroad St., Georgetown, 9 am, Local contact: Chris Miller, (512) 658-6973 

12/18 

City of Refuge Houston/New Hope Community Church bike giveaway 

Texas Children’s Hospital 

New Hope Community Church, 4170 W. Greens Road, Houston, 10 am-noon, Local Contact: Seema Patel, (832) 828-1308 

12/18 

Elves & More bike and helmet giveaway 

Elves & More, Texas Medical Association, Texas Children’s Hospital, and Exxon Mobil Cycling Team 

C. Martinez Elementary, 7211 Market St., Houston, 8:30-11:30 am, Local contact: Seema Patel, (832) 828-1308 

12/18 

Elves & More bike and helmet giveaway 

Elves & More, Texas Medical Association, Texas Children’s Hospital, and Exxon Mobil Cycling Team 

Jefferson Elementary, 5000 Sherman, Houston, 9:30 am-12:30 pm, Local contact: Seema Patel, (832) 828-1308 

12/18 

Elves & More bike and helmet giveaway 

Elves & More, Texas Medical Association, Texas Children’s Hospital, and Exxon Mobil Cycling Team 

Ketelsen Elementary, 600 Quitman St., Houston, 8:30-11:30 am, Local contact: Seema Patel, (832) 828-1308 

12/18 

Elves & More bike and helmet giveaway 

Elves & More, Texas Medical Association, Texas Children’s Hospital, and Exxon Mobil Cycling Team 

Looscan Elementary, 3800 Robertson, Houston; 8:30-11:30 am; Local contact: Seema Patel, (832) 828-1308 

12/18 

Elves & More bike and helmet giveaway 

Elves & More, Texas Medical Association, Texas Children’s Hospital, and Exxon Mobil Cycling Team 

Sherman Elementary, 1510 Jensen, Houston; 8:30-11:30 am; Local contact: Seema Patel, (832) 828-1308 

12/18 

Elves & More bike and helmet giveaway 

Elves & More, Texas Medical Association, Texas Children’s Hospital, and Exxon Mobil Cycling Team 

Marshall Middle School, 1115 Noble, Houston, 8:30-11:30 am, Local contact: Seema Patel, (832) 828-1308 

12/18 

Elves & More bike and helmet giveaway 

Elves & More, Texas Medical Association, Texas Children’s Hospital, and Exxon Mobil Cycling Team 

Davis High School, 1101 Quitman, Houston, 8:30-11:30 am, Local contact: Seema Patel, (832) 828-1308 

 

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 85,000 helmets to Texas children. TMA is the largest state medical society in the nation, representing nearly 45,000 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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