The Call for Presentations is still open for the BIAPA 2026 Annual Conference! This year's theme is Brain Injury Rehabilitation Across the Lifespan: Achieving Outcomes and Strengthening Community. This statewide gathering brings together survivors, families, caregivers, professionals, students, and volunteers to learn, connect, and strengthen our brain injury community. If you are interested in presenting, please review the submission guidelines and complete the proposal form.
The EXTENDED deadline to submit proposals: Sunday November 16, 2025
We need YOU at the 6th Annual Brain Injury Awareness Day at the Pennsylvania State Capitol on Monday, November 17, 2025.
Join us in the Capitol building from 10:15 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for a powerful day of advocacy and awareness. CLICK HERE to download the Brain Injury Awareness Day flyer and schedule.
To learn more about Brain Injury Advocacy at the state level CLICK HERE.
Your presence matters on November 17— you are an essential voice for the Brain Injury Community!
If you have questions regarding this event; please contact Melissa Carmen, at
All persons with brain injury are invited to a FREE, in-person Drum Circle — part of BIAPA’s ReDiscover U class series, hosted in partnership with the PA Department of Health.
Success Rehabilitation – Bethlehem Thursday, November 6 @ 3:30 P.M. Sign up HERE
Jefferson Moss-Magee – Elkins Park Wednesday, November 12 @ 4:00 P.M. Sign up HERE
DECEMBER Class coming soon!
Noah Sideman Tackles Gravel Grinder Races for BIAPA Riding for Health, Hope & Healing
For the past six months, BIAPA board member Noah Sideman has been riding in Gravel Grinder races throughout central Pennsylvania to raise awareness and support for brain injury prevention, education, advocacy, and recovery services. Thanks to contributions from family, friends and bicycle enthusiasts, he raised over $1,000 for BIAPA.As if riding in a challenging gravel grinder race wasn’t enough, Noah also hosted a BIAPA booth at the Lewisburg Fall Fest the day before the race - sharing information about BIAPA and brain safety. Thank you, Noah!
CLICK HERE to read more about Noah’s Gravel Grinder challenge.
WANT TO HOST YOUR OWN FUNDRAISER FOR BIAPA? If you’re interested in creating your own fundraiser for BIAPA, we can help you!BIAPA can create your fundraising page where you can tell your story and accept online gifts.CLICK HERE to look at Noah’s as an example. To learn more, please email admin@biapa.
Helmets for the Holidays: Give the Gift of Prevention
Brain injury prevention is a core focus of BIAPA's mission. A gift to Helmets for the Holidays: Give the Gift of Prevention will support BIAPA’s work to prevent brain injuries and to support individuals and families who have experienced brain injury.This includes:
Brain Safety Fairs with free bicycle helmet fittings
Educational programs about the brain and the impact of brain injury
Brain Injury Resource Line, which offers information about resources that may be of help to people with brain injury or their family.
A Meaningful Holiday Gift If you’d like to make a gift in honor of a friend, family member or colleague, please note that information on our secure donation form, and we'll send our Helmets for the Holidays bicycling snowman card with a message about your gift to the person you've honored.
Business Gift Program If you’re a business and would like to make a gift in honor of clients or colleagues, please email us at admin@biapa.org or call 833-242-7248. We’ll make it easy for you to manage your holiday gift-giving and to support BIAPA.
Send us a list of your honorees, and we’ll send our Helmets for the Holidays bicycling snowman card with a message that you’ve recognized them with a gift to BIAPA.
Join every Tuesday at 5:00 PM, either in-person or virtually via Zoom, for a supportive and understanding community of brain injury survivors and caregivers. Each week the group will explore different topics related to recovery, share personal stories and celebrate small “wins” together. Occasionally a guest speaker will share their expertise, insights, or personal journeys to inspire and educate the group.
A Rise Above Occupational Therapy Services Address: 2380 Schoenersville Road, Bethlehem PA 18017
Meets Tuesdays online or in person, please contact Meghan for online meeting link Meeting Time: 5 PM
Brain Renew Support Group Johnstown, PA
Who We Are: Brain Renew is a support group dedicated to individuals living with acquired brain injuries. Our mission is to provide a safe, welcoming space for healing, connection, and growth. What We Offer: Peer support and shared experiences, education on brain injury recovery, coping strategies and life skills, encouragement and empowerment, community resources Who Can Join and Where/When: Anyone impacted by a brain injury
First Thursday of every month from 6:30 to 8 PM beginning November 6, 2025
Westmont Church of the Brethren,Johnstown, PA 15905
For more information contact: Ashley McDowell-Boarman, M.S., CBIS Phone: (814) 485-1979 aboarman@successrehab.com
CLICK HERE to download the Brain Renew Support Group flyer.
We hope you can join us for BIAA’s 2nd annual virtual Stroke Symposium next month! This virtual event is free for brain injury survivors/family members and $75 for professionals (which includes 4 ACBIS CEUs). Group rates are also available for professionals.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Brain Injury Challenge: Race for Recovery on Sunday, October 5 at Tyler State Park. More that 360 runners, walkers, rollers and friends gathered for a truly inspiring morning! As of October 27, we've raised over $18,000 for BIAPA and Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation. Special congratulations to the top fundraising team - Jerry's Crew (pictured below), who exceeded their goal and raised $4,257!
CLICK HERE to view more photos from the race. There's still time to donate! The donation button is active through November 30.
BIAPA at Duquesne University’s Community Engagement Fair
The Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania (BIAPA) was honored to participate in Duquesne University’s Center for Community Engaged Teaching and Research Community Engagement Fair, held October 6–8, 2025. This vibrant event brought together over 60 community service organizations committed to fostering meaningful partnerships with students, faculty, and community groups.
Representing BIAPA was Dr. Michelle McCann, BIAPA Board Member, who engaged with students exploring ways to connect learning with real-world impact and build stronger community connections.
BIAPA was grateful for the opportunity to share resources, raise awareness about brain injury, and support students in developing workforce readiness skills through community-based collaboration.
ReDiscover U classes are held on Monday nights at 6 PM ET via Zoom. Use this link to join any of the classes at 6 PM on Mondays
November 3: Share Night
November 10: Equine Assisted Services @ GAIT
November 17: Signs of Happiness Workshop
November 24: Gentle Yoga Flow
For more information about ReDiscover U, including a description of the classes, CLICK HERE.
To sign up for the ReDiscover U email list, click HERE to fill out a brief registration form.
The BIAPA statewide virtual support group will meet Thursday, November 20 at 5 PM. This tight-knit community consists of survivors, caregivers, family members and professionals from across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania! Please use thisZoom Link to access the meeting.
BIAPA's next Caregiver Support Group will be held on Wednesday, November 12 at 6 PM. This monthly, virtual meeting is open to all caregivers. The meetings are an excellent opportunity for caregivers to meet one another, share experiences and discuss topics of unique relevance to their roles. No pre-registration is required! To join this monthly meeting, use this Zoom Link.
To sign up for email alerts for one of BIAPA's virtual groups listed above, follow this link to complete a brief registration form.
A full list of all of Pennsylvania's Brain Injury Support Groups, along with contact information for each, is on the BIAPA website's Support Group Listing Page. We are currently updating this information, and while we have done so for most groups, there are still some that we're trying to reach. If you're aware of groups that are meeting either virtually or in-person and they are not on our listing, or if you have any updated details about a group on the list, please contact Melanie Morrison morrison@biapa.org so that we can let others know about them.
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