When your child has suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), there is nothing that you want more than to help them return to how they were before the accident. You hate to see them hurting and struggling, and you would do or give anything to help change their circumstances.
The good news is that you’re not alone in that desire: There are state and national organizations that are dedicated to trying to find ways to improve the diagnoses and lives of people who are living with TBIs — of which there are many.
In fact, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that there were 2.8 million emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations, and deaths in 2013 (the most recent year that this information has been reported) relating to traumatic brain injuries in the United States. These injuries affect people from all walks of life — young and old, tall and short, and people of all races or ethnicities — and can result from a wide range of causes, including (but not limited to):
- Falling;
- Automobile accidents;
- Sports-related activities; and
- Acts of violence.
The parents and families of individuals with TBIs are known to donate or help raise funds for organizations that contribute to the body of TBI-related research. But, with so many organizations out there, how do you know the best organizations to donate to or fundraise for?
Here at SpinalCord.com, our team of experts has done the research and work for you. Here is our recommended list of the top four traumatic brain injury organizations to donate to and why you should consider each one:
1. Brain Trauma Foundation
This 501(c)3, which was founded in 1986, is a nonprofit that focuses on finding ways to improve the diagnosis and treatment of traumatic brain injuries through clinical and field research. The organization has developed best-in-class, evidence-based guidelines and provides educational outreach as well.
According to the official Brain Trauma Foundation website:
“We lead the way in cutting-edge clinical research spanning the spectrum from concussion to coma. We are primarily funded by the Department of Defense and partner with some of the most prestigious research organizations, such as Stanford University, Oregon Health & Sciences University, Oregon State University, Portland State University, University of Southern California, and University of California Santa Barbara.”
If you’re wanting to see changes take place in terms of the research and potential outcomes, this is a great place to invest financially toward the future of your child and other TBI survivors.
2. Kessler Foundation
Over the past 10 years, the Kessler Foundation, which is based in New Jersey, has invested nearly $50 million in the work of its researchers, who seek to develop ways for people with disabilities to overcome obstacles and lead full, productive lives. In fact, one of its researchers recently received a $35,000 grant from the New Jersey Health Foundation to study ways to improve new learning and memory in individuals with moderate-to-severe TBIs.
According to a recent press release from the Kessler Foundation:
“This one-year award funds a pilot study assessing the efficacy of the combined cognitive rehabilitation therapies: training in the application of memory strategies to facilitate new learning abilities, developed at Kessler Foundation, and the RehaCom, a self-adaptive, computerized cognitive therapy tool that has been shown to improve cognitive deficits in individuals with neurological compromise.”
The foundation is far-reaching and also supports job employment initiatives for American civilians and veterans with disabilities. Since 2005, the Kessler Foundation has invested more than $40 million in employment programs, job training, and community programs for individuals with disabilities through its grant programs.
3. Bob Woodruff Foundation
The Bob Woodruff Foundation is an independent, 501(c)3 organization that focuses on helping injured U.S. veterans and service members, as well as their families and caregivers. It was founded by ABC journalist Bob Woodruff and his family after he sustained a life-changing traumatic brain injury while covering the war in Iraq in 2006 that left him in a medically-induced coma for 36 days.
The experience and his subsequent recovery led the family to establish the foundation to “ensure that our nation’s impacted veterans, service members, and their families have access to the highest level of support and resources they deserve, for as long as they need it.”
Today, the organization, which has been responsible for investing $53 million and awarding more than 370 grants relating to TBIs, has touched the lives of more than 2.5 million veterans and their families.
4. Brain Injury Association of America
The Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) is a national 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that focuses on education, training, research, and advocacy. A lot of their efforts are on national TBI advocacy and policy-related work to help improve the quality of life of individuals living with these serious injuries. With regard to its research, BIAA’s initiatives are in the area of rehabilitative and physical therapy-related treatment for people who are living with traumatic brain injuries.
In just one year:
- 5.3 million people with brain injuries have been affected by the organization;
- 1,500 brain injury specialists have been certified; and
- 1,500 professionals and caregivers have been educated via BIAA webinars.
There are other great traumatic brain injury organizations out there as well. We just wanted to help get you started learning about these organizations in case you want to get involved, donate, or help fundraise for their research.
To learn more about traumatic brain injuries, be sure to check out our free resource “The Simplified Guide to Traumatic Brain Injury” by clicking on the banner image.
