PLYMOUTH – The Plymouth Whalers have a long history of promoting health issues, including Breast Cancer Awareness every October with the Karmanos Cancer Institute and a semi-annual blood drive with the American Red Cross.
On Saturday, February 25 at 7:05pm at Compuware Arena, the Whalers are teaming up with the Brain Injury Association of Michigan (BIAMI) in the first annual “HeadSmart Night.” While the Whalers are playing the Sudbury Wolves, the activity around the game involves increased awareness of the Association and its statewide effort to educate players, parents, coaches and fans about sports concussion.
The Brain Injury Association of Michigan is a non-profit group that brings together people with brain injury, their families, friends and concerned professionals to improve the quality of life that people experience after brain injuries.
BIAMI’s concussion awareness programs help ensure bright futures for young athletes by building awareness of equipment standards, signs and symptoms of brain injury, and prompt care methods for brain injuries.
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If you would like to support BIAMI, please visit the BIAMI website for more information on how to buy tickets.
For every $12 ticket sold on Saturday, $4 will be donated towards BIAMI’s Concussion Awareness and Education programs.
Officials of BIAMI will be on hand Saturday night to reach out to parents of youth players in the hope of teaching safety, awareness and prevention towards head injury. Game-night activities will consist of giveaways, “head smart” and mentally stimulating puzzles and other activities specifically for kids, along with promotional materials and BIAMI information and news.
Brain injury survivor Scot Fritz – a Purple Heart recipient - will participate in a ceremonial puck drop on Saturday.
An estimated 1.7 million children and adults in the U.S. sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and another 795,000 individuals sustain an acquired brain injury (ABI) from non-traumatic causes each year. Currently more than 3.1 million children and adults in the U.S. live with a lifelong disability as a result of TBI and an estimated 1.1 million have a disability due to stroke.
Hockey is a collision sport, and head trauma is always a concern. On Saturday, parents and players have an opportunity to increase their awareness towards the prevention of head trauma or concussions. With proper safety equipment and increased education, it is hoped that hockey – especially at the youth level – remains a fun, exciting and safer sport for everyone.
For more information on a variety of topics concerning concussions and head trauma, please visit the BIAMI website.
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