In 1989 avid runner and devoted father, Brian Barker, was involved in a hit and run accident and left on the side of the road. Fortunately, he survived; however, he sustained a massive traumatic brain injury that caused him to lose his short-term and long term memory. This caused him to forget many of his family members including his daughter and brother. Not only did he suffer significant emotional scars, physically he was unable to do what he loved as well. At the BIAU we see life altering accidents like Brian’s far too often. In an effort to regain and restore his balance and the life he once had was born the idea of 5k. Our run, walk, roll was built on the foundation that allows survivors, supporters, friends, and the community to become involved. Our BIAU Run, Walk, Roll is one of the largest 5k’s in Salt Lake and has easily become one of the most favored events. In 2009 the CDC reported that every day in the state of Utah 37 people are treated and released from an emergency room due to a traumatic brain injury. In that same year 2247 Utahns were hospitalized and 471 died from a TBI. Of those, 323 Utahns died before getting to the hospital, while 145 died after treatment. As the sole prevention education and resource facilitation center serving all of Utah we have witnessed the carnage that a traumatic brain injury can have on loved ones and the community
At the Brain Injury Alliance of Utah we are determined to spread awareness through preventative education primarily in children up to age 18. We provide and facilitate resources for those who have sustained a brain injury. We serve all individuals in need including uninsured and low-income. We also have an outreach coordinator working with the veteran and Hispanic and Latino community of Utah. The Brain Injury Alliance of Utah was created in 1984 as a 501©(3) non-profit organization. The Alliance is the only non-profit organization dedicated exclusively to the education and support for the issues of prevention and recovery of brain injury in the state of Utah. BIAU has coalitions with major hospitals, governmental agencies, and rehabilitation centers to provide a network of support, information, and help.
