BrainTrust Canada

Did you know? Our bodies have a sophisticated heat-regulating mechanism controlled by the hypothalamus - a vital part of our brain responsible for many bodily functions. This system helps keep our temperature balanced. When we get too warm, the hypothalamus kicks into gear by dilating blood vessels near the skin's surface. This allows for heat to dissipate into the air, helping to cool you down.

After a brain injury, if there is damage to the hypothalamus, the process is disrupted leading to heat sensitivity. Individuals may experience symptoms such as feeling excessively hot while in mild weather, sweating profusely or not sweating enough. Mood swings and other cognitive issues can also arise when the body struggles to regulate its temperature. Additionally, heat can interfere with nerve function, causing confusion, fatigue, and difficulties with balance and vision.

Those with heat sensitivity are at a higher rick of heat stroke. Symptoms of heat stroke include:
- red, hot, and dry skin
- rapid heartbeat
- throbbing headache
- dizziness
- nausea
- confusion

To avoid heat stroke during the hot weather, and help maintain heat sensitivity, here are a few steps to follow:
1. Stay hydrated. Staying hydrated helps blood flow more efficiently through your muscles, preventing fatigue and weakness. Take small water breaks throughout the day.
2. Dress cool. Wear light colours and breathable materials, as dark colours can absorb sunlight and heat.
3. Keep your environment stable. Try to avoid going between hot and cold locations constantly. Try to remain in a cool location as much as possible to reduce stress on your body.

Please take care of yourself and others during the hot summer weather. 🧠 ☀️

🚴🏼 We're thrilled to announce our partnership with for their bike valet program to incorporate our Helmet Safety Program! 🚴🏼

The bike valet is stationed at the intersection of Bernard Avenue and Mill Street where residents and visitors will be able to safely park their bikes for free from 9am-9pm, Thursday through Monday.

BrainTrust will have a booth next to the bike valet to promote safe riding through our Helmet Safety Program. We believe everyone should have access to safety equipment and the knowledge to reduce their risk or injury. We will provide helmet fittings and helmets to those who are unable to afford a helmet, along with education around why helmets are necessary when riding.

Join us on Saturdays from 12-4pm starting July 20th to promote safety and sustainable transportation!

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Rick Warner and all the members of A.C.T/UCT Kelowna West #1003 for their generous donation towards helmets for our Helmet Safety Program! 🚲 Your support is helping us ensure that our community rides safely and confidently.

💙 We're overwhelmed with gratitude!💙

Thank you to everyone who made our e-auction an incredible success! Your generous bids and unwavering support have truly made a difference.

A shout out to our incredible community partners for their invaluable contributions. Your donated items sparked excitement and helped us achieve our goals beyond expectations. Special shout out to for partnering with us and hosting the a-auction. We truly could not have done it without you, and we thank you for that.

Thank you for all your kindness, generosity, and for being a part of this wonderful journey with us. Together, we've not only raised funds but also strengthened our bonds as a community. Your participation has shown once again that when we come together, amazing things happen. 💙

BrainTrust is proud to announce its partnership with the City of Kelowna and the Community Safety Bike Valet initiative this summer, launching on July 20th. We emphasize the importance of helmet safety to reduce preventable brain injuries. Have a happy and safe Canada Day! City of Kelowna

🚨 Last Call 🚨

BrainTrust Canada has partnered with KelownaNow for an incredible auction to support Brain Injury Awareness Month this June! 💙 Join us in raising awareness and making a difference. Every bid helps fund vital programs and services for those affected by brain injuries.

The auction runs until June 30th at 6:00pm, so don't miss your chance to get involved and support a great cause! Head over to https://buff.ly/3XFxvMy and place your bids today!

We're thrilled to share the success of our partnership with for Brain Injury Awareness Month! 📖 Earlier this month, we collaborated to set up displays dedicated to raising awareness about the brain and brain injuries.

The response was incredible! 🙌🏻 The displays were picked over by curious minds, sparking important conversations and spreading awareness far and wide. Thank you to everyone who stopped by, learned more, and showed their support for this important cause.

Today is National Indigenous Peoples Day. This was a day that was announced back in 1996. Many Indigenous peoples and communities celebrate their culture and heritage on June 21st due to the significance of it being the longest day of the year.

Today we honour the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of the Indigenous communities across the globe. As we commemorate this day, let’s also acknowledge the challenges faced by Indigenous peoples including historical injustices, marginalization, and ongoing struggles for land rights and cultural preservation. It’s a reminder of the importance of advocacy, education, and allyship in supporting Indigenous freedom.

✨ Make a difference today! ✨

Together, we can make meaningful change and make a positive impact on the lives of those living with the effects of brain injury. Your generous support can help us continue our vital work in bringing the issue of brain injury to the forefront, reducing preventable brain injuries, and maximizing the potential of those who have been affected by brain injury through programs and advocacy.

Every contribution makes a difference. Your donation, no matter the size, has the power to transform someone's life. Please use the QR code or visit: https://buff.ly/2MIEe2z

Thank you for your support! 💙

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the amazing exhibitors who showcased their valuable services and products at the West Coast Brain Injury Conference. Your presence made our event even more informative!

From innovative solutions to insightful conversations, each booth brought a unique perspective to the conference, contributing to its success. We are immensely grateful for your participation and support!

Okanagan Vision Therapy
ICBC
Lakeside Hearing
Acera Insurance
Wahkohtowin Wellness
WorkSafeBC
Tranq Sleep Care
Canadian Royal Purple
CEDAR Brain Injury Lab
Natalie Perrier
Brainstreams

Tracy Gray MP Kelowna Lake Country and MP Dan Albas Kelowna/West Kelowna, thank you so much. We are so proud that you have stood up on numerous occasions, in support of this strategy. Thank you for being our voice in Ottawa ❤️🧠

June is Brain Injury Awareness month. Your Member of Parliament helped bring forward a unanimous vote in favour of Bill C-277 - National Strategy on Brain Injuries Act.

Please call their office or send them an email and say thank you. This is historical for our community and many years of work.

Thank you Alistair MacGregor for Cowichan-Malahat-Langford for you unwavering belief in this cause.

Unanimous Vote!! Well done everyone who has worked to support this bill, and well done Janelle Breese Biagioni!!

HoC Sitting No. 330 Sitting No. 330 House of Commons

We're incredibly grateful to everyone who joined us at the West Coast Brain Injury Conference! 🧠

Thank you to all the attendees, sponsors, and exhibitors who contributed to making this event a resounding success. Your passion, expertise, and dedication to advancing brain injury research and care are truly inspiring.

A special shoutout and thank you to our title sponsor for their invaluable support at the conference. Your commitment to our cause has been instrumental in making this event a success. Thank you for helping us make a difference in the lives of those living with the effects of a brain injury.

Thank you City of Kelowna 🧠❤️

Thank you City of Kelowna for coming out to support this very important initiative that not only affects our city, but many Canadians that are so humbled this evening knowing that you attended. Our gratitude is abundant. On behalf of our survivors, thank you.

Great to hear a keynote this morning on the ideas and partnerships highlighting the need for robust supports for people living with brain injury at today’s West Coast Brain Injury Conference.

We know that people living with brain injuries are dealt a challenging hand and governments at all levels need to focus on supports for people and their families.

Grateful to and all the speakers and participants for making the event a success.

If you happen to go downtown in the evening this week, you will happen to notice that the Spirit of Sails statue is lit up blue.

BrainTrust and Kelowna are setting sail into June with the sails being lit up blue for Brain Injury Awareness Month. Let’s navigate towards greater understanding, support, and advocacy for those living with the effects of a brain injury. 💙

Less than 24 hours until the West Coast Brain Injury Conference! 🧠

We're absolutely thrilled to welcome all the attendees to this dynamic gathering of minds dedicated to advancing brain injury research, treatment, and support. Get ready for inspiring discussions, innovative insights, and invaluable connections.

Find out more about the conference here: https://buff.ly/3Kgrq19

Brain Injury Society of Toronto

Check out the glow and effort of Canadas most diverse city City of Toronto Brain Injury Association in regonition of brain injury awareness month Brain Injury Canada Brainstreams.ca.

Stay tuned for updates on efforts both nationally and locally 🧠🌎

Green and Blue tonight for

Help spread the word about the number one disabler in the world.

🧠 We are 1 week away from the West Coast Brain Injury Conference!🧠

Swipe through this post to see the full conference schedule for the day.

Be a part of the conversation. Get your tickets today! https://buff.ly/43SXO34
Descriptions of speaker talks can be found on our website: https://buff.ly/3Kgrq19

🧠 Exciting announcement!🧠

BrainTrust Canada is thrilled to partner with for Brain Injury Awareness Month with an e-auction campaign! Join us in raising funds and awareness for brain injury support. Please visit https://buff.ly/3X4ibsE and get ready to bid for a cause that matters on items varying from 18-hole golf passes to , autographed photo from captain Quinn Hughes of the , helicopter ride with and so much more!

View https://buff.ly/3X47E0j to learn more about our month long campaign!

Join us at the West Coast Brain Injury Conference - THE event where knowledge meets action. Discover innovative treatment programs, stay updated on policy shifts impacting brain injury care, and be inspired by the stories of resilience from lived experienced individuals. Don't just witness change, be a part of it.

🧠 Secure your spot today by purchasing a ticket on Eventbrite: https://buff.ly/43SXO34

⌛ Countdown alert!⌛

Only 2 weeks left until the West Coast Brain Injury Conference kicks off. Get ready to dive deep into the latest research, innovations, and support systems for brain injury awareness and recovery. It's a pivotal event where experts and advocates come together to make a difference. Don't miss out - mark your calendars and join us in shaping a brighter future for brain health!

Reserve your spot today by purchasing a ticket here: https://buff.ly/43SXO34

✨ Happy Victoria Day! ✨🇨🇦

Today, we celebrate the start of summer and honor Queen Victoria's legacy. Enjoy the parades, fireworks, and time with loved ones. 🎆👑

We are also excited to resume the Campaign tomorrow. Get ready to continue making a difference and saying YES to Bill C-277! Let's keep the momentum going! 💪🌟



🇨🇦✨ Bonne fête de la Reine ! ✨🇨🇦
Aujourd'hui, nous célébrons le début de l'été et nous rendons hommage à l'héritage de la reine Victoria. Profitez des défilés, des feux d'artifice et du temps passé avec vos proches. 🎆👑

Nous sommes également ravis de reprendre la campagne dès demain. Préparez-vous à continuer de faire une différence et à dire OUI au projet de loi C-277 ! Maintenons la dynamique ! 💪🌟

Our office will be closed today, Monday, May 20th, to recognize Victoria Day. The office will fully resume back to normal operations on Tuesday, May 21st.

❗ Last day❗

Early bird ticket pricing expire at 11:59pm TONIGHT! Make sure you grab your tickets now as the discounted rate to secure your spot at the West Coast Brain Injury Conference.

Tickets on sale here: https://buff.ly/43SXO34

Nature's masterpiece inspired us all! 🎨

After Mother Nature's display last week, our art group clients were inspired to create their own breathtaking interpretations. From swirling hues of pink, to dancing ribbons of green, each piece captures the magic of that unforgettable night.

⌛ Time is running out to get your tickets to the West Coast Brain Injury Conference at a discounted rate! ⌛

Early bird pricing ends May 14th @ 11:59pm - secure your spot now.

Tickets on sale here: https://buff.ly/43SXO34

🎟️ Don't miss out on our Early Bird Pricing! 🎟️

Only 5 days left to snag your discounted tickets for the LLP West Coast Brain Injury Conference. Don't want until it's too late - secure your spot today and join us for an unforgettable experience.

Reserve your tickets today at: https://buff.ly/43SXO34

We are pleased to announce Dr. Brittany Dennis as one of our speakers for the West Coast Brain Injury Conference!

Dr. Brittany Dennis MBBS, PhD is a clinician scientist with training in general internal medicine and an area of focused competency in addiction medicine. She currently holds academic appointments as a full-time Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Social Medicine at the University of British Columbia and part-time Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine – Adjunct at McMaster University. She joins the British Columbia Center on Substance Use as a Clinician Scientist, with protected time from her role as an attending physician in Providence Health Care’s (PHC) Division of Addiction. Dr. Dennis has been awarded the 2023 Michael Smith Health Research BC/BCCSU Partnered Scholar award to support her leadership role on the research evaluation of the Road to Recovery Initiative. Dr. Dennis’ program of research within the BCCSU includes a collection of studies investigating emerging treatments and novel models of substance use care.

Prior to her undergraduate medical training at the University of London (MBBS), she completed a PhD in health research methodology at McMaster University. To establish capacity in large-data base analytics she received post-doctoral training at Stanford University, the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES), and through the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Research in Addiction Medicine Scholars Program (Boston and Yale University). Dr. Dennis has been an important contributor to 100 peer-reviewed publications, 20 national and international presentations, an expert panel for Canada’s 2023 national guidance on opioids for chronic non-cancer pain, and a textbook chapter on opioid use disorder.

Early bird tickets on sale until May 15th at: https://buff.ly/3UtWOht

One step closer! National Strategy on Brain Injuries Act

Alistair MacGregor for Cowichan-Malahat-Langford hosts a press conference to discuss Bill C-277 which will be debated in the House of Commons today. Mark Holland CGB Centre for Traumatic Life Losses BC Consensus on Brain Injury, Mental Health, & Addictions Janelle Breese Biagioni