June is Brain Injury Awareness Month in Ontario.  The incidence of brain injury is so much more prevalent than people think:  

• The annual incidence of TBI is greater than that of Multiple Sclerosis, Spinal Cord Injury, HIV/AIDS and Breast Cancer combined. (www.onf.org)
• TBI is the leading killer and disabler of Canadians under the age of 40. (www.torontorehab.com)
• Injury is the leading killer of Canadian children and youth. 50 per cent of all deaths from injury are from brain injuries. (www.thinkfirst.ca)

Those are pretty staggering stats. Brain injury can happen to anyone and chances are that you know someone who is living with the effects of brain injury.  Even mild traumatic brain injuries can result in lasting complications that affect a person’s way of life.  

Even with the high incidence, brain injury is often known as an “invisible disability” as it symptoms are different for everyone and although the person may look like everyone else, they suffer from memory issues, impulse control, anger management issues, and learning and problem solving issues.

We are proud to support the BIST/OBIA Mix & Mingle on June 12th at the Steam Whistle Brewery as Gold Sponsors.  This annual fundraising event continues to raise awareness of brain injury in Toronto while bringing together industry professionals for an evening of entertainment.  All funds raised go towards supporting the Brain Injury Society of Toronto (BIST) and the Ontario Brain Injury Association (OBIA), whose missions are to support individuals and family through support, education, advocacy and awareness.

We will also have an exhibitor booth set-up at BIST’s Brain Injury Awareness Month event at Nathan Phillips Square.  The event is also on June 12th and runs from 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm.  There is live entertainment, interactive sport events and celebrity hockey players.  Come by our booth and say hello!

Brain injury can impact the lives of everyone involved, and these organizations are essential in offering needed supports.