As young cyclists observe National Bike Month this May, the Texas Medical Association continues to make efforts to reduce devastating brain injuries that can be associated with the activity.
Stacy Smith, MD, a neurologist in The Woodlands, recently partnered with TMA’s Hard Hats for Little Heads program to organize her first bicycle helmet giveaway, held at her son’s elementary school. Just one simple gift can save a life, she says.
“I specialize in treating concussions and I've met many adults and kids who have had really severe injuries that could have been prevented if they had just had a helmet on,” said Dr. Smith.
Concussions “can be very debilitating, affect memory, a person’s mood, and cause headaches,” she explained, making a helmet crucial to every bike ride.
TMA members can take advantage of the Hard Hats program to distribute helmets to children in their communities and help keep them safe, especially leading into summer when many kids will be riding their bikes. A properly fitting helmet can prevent almost all head injuries – up to 85%, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Any TMA member can purchase helmets. TMA boosts your giving power with a match of helmets (equal match up to 50). Helmets cost $12 each, including shipping. TMA also has free educational materials in English and Spanish to support your event.
Texas Neurological Society members can receive up to 50 helmets at no cost, as the organization covers its members’ cost to purchase up to 25 helmets (while funds last), and TMA matches helmets purchased.
The Hard Hats program was created in 1994 and is TMA’s longest running outreach program. Over the past 31 years physicians, medical students and TMA Alliance members have distributed nearly 430,000 helmets across the state.
Saketh Amasa, a medical student at the UTMB John Sealy School of Medicine, has hosted several Hard Hats events this year at elementary schools in Galveston. As a biker himself, Mr. Amasa tries to impart to kids that “it’s cool and not lame” to wear helmets.
If you’d like to host a bicycle giveaway event in your community contact Swathi Narayanan, Hard for Little Heads coordinator.
The Texas Medical Association Foundation is able to fund TMA’s Hard Hats for Little Heads program in 2025 with major support from an anonymous TMA/TMAA member donor couple’s matching grant, as well as from Lee Ann Pearse, MD, the McCallum Family Foundation, the Texas Neurological Society, and gifts from physicians and their families.