Press Release: USBIA Announced

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 17, 2012 CONTACT: Gavin Attwood 303.355.9969 gavin@biacolorado.org

Leading brain injury groups join together to create United States Brain Injury Alliance Formation of new national organization signals growing strength for the brain injury awareness movement. North Brunswick, NJ – In an historic step towards enhancing the quality of life for people affected by brain injury, 18 state groups recently announced that they have joined forces to create the United States Brain Injury Alliance (USBIA) – a national organization committed to engaging the community in preventing brain injury and improving lives. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 1.7 million people sustain a TBI each year, making it a contributing factor to a third (30.5%) of all injury-related deaths in the United States.

The USBIA is a direct outgrowth of the need to have a centralized sharing platform that will provide support to the state affiliates and develop a common public policy agenda.

“The need for such a national effort is demonstrated by 18 states joining as initial USBIA members in eager response to our outreach started only several months ago,” stated Barbara Geiger-Parker, Chair of the USBIA, and President and CEO of the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey. “We are building on the work of these state brain injury alliances to strengthen the services for and advocacy with those affected by brain injury.” “States have long needed support and mentoring to become more robust and serve the brain injury survivors in their own states,” said Gavin Attwood, Vice Chair of the USBIA, and Executive Director of the Brain Injury Alliance of Colorado. “This is a gap that USBIA plans to fill.”

The USBIA demonstrates the groups’ collective commitment to working towards a world where all avoidable brain injuries are prevented, all non-preventable brain injuries are minimized, and all individuals who have experienced brain injury can maximize their quality of life.

To see the list of member states and to learn more about the USBIA, visit www.test.usbia.org.