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Area youngsters support Saint Anne’s
Hospital’s safety helmet initiative during Bicycle Safety Month
Thanks to the hard work and generosity of a group of young leaders who are committed to helping their community, Saint Anne’s Hospital’s Emergency Department has received funding for safety helmets for kids involved in bicycling, rollerblading, and other wheeled sports – just in time for Bicycle Safety Month in May. The Junior Friends of Saint Anne’s Hospital, a youth division of the Friends of Saint Anne’s Hospital, recently donated a gift of $1,144 for the purchase of helmets to be used by children ranging from toddlers through teenagers.
Andrew Old, MD, associate director of emergency medicine at Saint Anne’s Hospital and president of Southeastern Massachusetts Emergency Medical Services Council Region V, and his colleagues treat a number of children each year with injuries related to bicycles, rollerblades and skateboards. He notes that, nationally, the statistics associated with head injuries, especially those resulting from wheeled sports, are staggering. “In this country, approximately 500,000 children visit emergency rooms for evaluation of head injuries,” he said. “Of these, approximately 95,000 are hospitalized. Most of these are minor injuries, but as many as 7,000 will die from their injuries. “The most common causes of head injuries are motor vehicle accidents, assaults, bicycle accidents, falls, and trauma related to sports,” he said. “Yet it has been shown that helmets can reduce head injuries by 85 percent.” Providing a helmet at the time of an emergency visit has proven to be crucial, said Dr. Old. “It has been studied that if a parent is educated about helmet safety at the time of their Emergency Room visit, 25 percent of the children will wear helmets in future activities. However, if the parent is educated and given an appropriate helmet for the child, the success rate soars to 60-65 percent,” he said. Dr. Old explains that pediatric patients who come to Saint Anne’s Emergency Department room are now asked about their bicycle safety habits and other high-risk activities that would require a helmet. The emergency staff provides education and helmets to those children at risk. To date, the Emergency Department has distributed 50 helmets, accompanied with appropriate information about their value and correct use. “Summer is an especially popular time for kids to enjoy their bikes, skates and skateboards. Our goal is to make these sports as safe as they are fun,” said Dr. Old. “Thanks to funding by the Junior Friends, we’re able to provide a healthy and valuable service to other kids in the community.” The Junior Friends of Saint Anne's Hospital is a group of students from local elementary, middle and high schools who support the Friends of Saint Anne's Hospital and the mission of Saint Anne's Hospital. Like their parent organization, the Friends of Saint Anne’s Hospital, the Junior Friends play a significant role in supporting the hospital in assisting patients, increasing service, and addressing the healthcare needs of the community. Since 2007, the Junior Friends have assisted the Friends of Saint Anne's Hospital in planning and organizing some of the Friends’ biggest fundraising events. Among their activities, they have:
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