helmets

contributed photo CentraCare Health Foundation recently donated 500 children’s helmets to Sartell St. Stephen Physical Education Department, Rocori Community Education, Big Lake Middle School’s Academic Achievement Celebration and the St. Cloud Family YMCA. The donations totaled more than $5,000 and are designed to encourage safety along with active lifestyles in young people. Above: Recipients of the donated CentraCare Health helmets ride their bikes safely indoors at St. Cloud State University. “Wearing helmets correctly could prevent one death every day and one head injury every four minutes,” said Dawn Moen, Better Living: Exercise and Nutrition Daily specialist. “About 600,000 people go to the emergency room for bicycle-related injuries each year and 58 percent of those are children younger than 16. Sadly, 250 of these children will die from their injuries. We want children to ride their bikes, but we want them to do it safely. It is estimated that 75 percent of bicycle-related fatalities could have been prevented by wearing a properly fitted helmet.” CentraCare Emergency Trauma Services, in partnership with the CentraCare Health Foundation, provides complimentary helmet fittings and education as well as a limited supply of helmets for children that would otherwise be unable to afford one. To arrange an event or classroom visit, please call 320-251-2700, ext. 53807.