Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety gifts Phoenix Children’s $15K
Staff Reports | Digital Free Press
Nonfatal bicycle-related injuries accounted for more than one-third of visits to emergency rooms in 2022, according to data provided by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
Research from the American Academy of Pediatrics also indicates that bicycling was the second most frequent sport and recreation activity that led to emergency department visits for children in 2022.
In an effort to keep kids safe and minimize these statistics, Phoenix Children’s Center for Family Health and Safety is partnering this year with schools, local cities, nonprofits, and local fire and police departments to provide education about correct helmet use to prevent bicycle, scooter, skateboard and ATV injuries.
The hospital also aims to donate 1,370 helmets to students in need, which is made possible by the $15,000 grant awarded by the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.
“Our job as a hospital isn’t always to take care of what comes through our doors every day,” said Angelica Baker, manager, injury prevention department. “It’s also to educate families and provide resources to prevent accidents from happening. We hope that by being proactive, we can minimize these occurrences.”
With Phoenix Children’s involvement in the program, the team will conduct 10 bicycle and pedestrian safety outreach and education events, distribute 1,370 helmets to children in classrooms and at the hospital, and consult with a minimum of 90 families in the trauma center about safety on wheeled equipment.
“We are so grateful to receive this support from the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety,” said Phoenix Children’s Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer Steve Schnall. “These extra funds mean that we can help more families and inspire more hope and healing to kids.”
