The year 1996 marks the 10th anniversary of the THINK FIRST Foundation’s National Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Prevention Program, founded by E. Fletcher Eyster, MD, and Clark Watts, MD. Since inception of the program 4.1 million people have heard this invaluable injury prevention message.
In 1995 the THINK FIRST Programs were surveyed to determine their level of activity and other pertinent program information. In the survey 175 local programs reported 6,039 presentations which reached 717,815 people. The majority of the programs were presented in:
- high schools (49%)
- middle schools (25%)
- elementary schools (15%)
- other settings, i.e., service clubs, military, and health fairs (10%)
Presentations were conducted in the following areas:
- urban (32%)
- suburban (48%)
- rural (20%)
Presentation format included:
- classroom settings (77%)
- assembly settings (23%)
Guest speakers by gender were:
- male (78%)
- female (22%)
Guest speakers by injury discussed were:
- spinal cord injury (72%)
- traumatic brain injury (28%)
Of the 657 guest speakers who speak on behalf of their THINK FIRST program, of them sustained injury from:
- a vehicular incident (57%)
- a water incident (15%)
- violence (11%)
- sports and recreational incidents (7%)
- bicycle incidents (3%)
- other sources, i.e., falls, pedestrian incidents, etc. (7%)
The local programs are the “back bone” of the Foundation. We applaud all the local coordinators and sponsoring neurosurgeons for their dedication and commitment to this injury prevention effort.
THINK FIRST . . . A Gift for All Occasions
THINK FIRST’s Tribute Program now offers the opportunity to make a gift in memory or in honor of someone special for every important occasion throughout the year. In lieu of flowers, THINK FIRST will send a tastefully designed “In Memory” card to the family of a deceased individual notifying them of your contribution.
More meaningful than a token birthday, anniversary or wedding present or off-the-rack retirement, graduation or job promotion card, THINK FIRST will send a special “In Honor” card and include your personal message. (The gift amount is not disclosed). Companion cards will acknowledge receipt of these generous gifts THINK FIRST will also convey your holiday wishes to everyone on your gift list in a specially designed card announcing your contribution in their name.
The amount of your gift may vary just as it would if you were to select a card or present for that special person. In addition, Memory and In Honor gifts will be recognized in THINK FIRST’s biannual Honor Roll of Donors and annual report. Best of all, these special gifts are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.