Alaska Senator Promotes Brain Injury Awareness

JUNEAU - Sen. Lesil McGuire, R-Anchorage, called on legislative colleagues today to actively support greater public awareness of the impact that traumatic brain injuries can have on Alaska families, with Senate passage of a resolution declaring March as Brain Injury Awareness Month.

The Anchorage lawmaker sponsored Senate Concurrent Resolution 1, adopted on a vote of 19-0 by the Senate Wednesday (Feb. 25) and transmitted to the House of Representatives for consideration.

"We must do a much better job of raising awareness about brain injuries, particularly traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and the impact they have on Alaskans," McGuire said. A TBI is an injury to the head that results in a disruption of normal brain functioning.

"TBI injuries are often life-altering and can place a tremendous strain on survivors and their families," McGuire added. "The TBI survivors often live with permanent disabilities and the tragedy is exacerbated by the fact that most TBIs are wholly preventable."

More than 800 TBIs are reported annually in Alaska and an estimated 12,000 Alaskans have suffered a traumatic brain injury. McGuire noted that these statistics, from 2005, are now likely higher with injured military service personnel returning from overseas.

The Brain Injury Association of America recognizes March of each year as Brain Injury Awareness Month, with SCR 1 providing parallel recognition in Alaska.

Source: http://www.ktva.com/ci_11800212