Port Lavaca family physician John B. Wright, MD, an avid cyclist, says children these days have an advantage many of today’s adults didn’t have: a potentially life-saving helmet.
“Anything that can reduce the chance of head injury up to 85 percent is a great idea,” said Dr. Wright. “Friends and patients have shown me their dented helmets after a fall, but not more than a scrape on their body to show for it. Their helmet likely saved them from a serious head injury.”
Dr. Wright shares his love of cycling with his community by hosting an annual Texas Medical Association Hard Hats for Little Heads bicycle helmet giveaway. Over the past nine years, he has given hundreds of helmets to local kids.
As Hard Hats celebrates its 25th birthday this year, TMA invites physician cyclists to share their passion for fitness and safety by hosting a helmet giveaway.
Put the wheels in motion today to host an event any time in 2019 or during these key months:
TMA has everything you need for your event, from helmets and publicity tools to educational materials. When you purchase up to 50 helmets, TMA boosts your giving power with an equal match of helmets. Helmets cost $7.85 each, including shipping.
To host his Hard Hats event, Dr. Wright takes advantage of a special offer in which family physicians receive up to 50 helmets at no cost to them, thanks to the Texas Academy of Family Physicians (TAFP) and TMA. TAFP pays for up to 25 helmets, and TMA matches that. The Texas Pediatric Society offers the same perk for its members.
TMA is sprinting toward a Texas-size birthday party in October. If you’ve never hosted an event, this might be the time to do so. TMA will award 25 helmets at no cost to 25 TMA members, county medical societies, or TMA Alliance chapters who host their first event in October or reach a county where Hard Hats hasn’t been.
Winners in TMA’s 25 for 25 campaign will not be required to purchase helmets. To be included in the drawing, send an email by June 1 detailing your event plans. Winners will be selected by July 1.
Find event ideas and much more in the Hard Hats event toolkit. To request an order packet or to get started on your event, email Tammy Wishard, TMA outreach coordinator, or call her at 512-370-1470.
Hard Hats for Little Heads is supported in 2019 with a TMA Foundation grant thanks to its Legacy of Caring and General Endowments, and generous gifts from an anonymous physician and spouse and donors to TMAF’s Make-A-Difference and Greatest Need appeals.
Tammy Wishard
Account Manager, Division of Communications and Marketing
(512) 370-1470