A T-shirt with Brains – and a Message

You can always wear your heart on your sleeve, but now you can also wear your brain on your shirt.

In recognition of Brain Injury Awareness Month, celebrated fashion designer Derek Lam unveiled his latest creation, a limited edition T-shirt to help promote awareness for the condition that affects millions of people.

The shirt will be on sale throughout March with all profits supporting programs for people with brain injuries at Opportunity Project in Millburn.

The shirt was created as a unique partnership between Lam, fresh off a successful Spring Fashion Week, and the Brain Injury Association of America along with the Brain Injury Association of New Jersey and Opportunity Project -- bringing the community together for March’s awareness activities.

The shirts are now available for purchase at www.opportunityproject.org. 

Carol Albanese, Executive Director of Opportunity Project, praised the designer for his efforts to support Brain Injury Awareness. 

“Brain injury can happen to anyone, any time and at any age.  We’re thrilled that Derek is supportive of our cause and donated his time to design this beautiful shirt to increase awareness of this critical health issue.” 

Lam was happy to help. “So many people are affected with a brain injury, yet as an invisible condition, few people in this country understand the affliction. I designed this T-shirt with the hope that more people gain an awareness and understanding of this condition and find ways where they can help,” he said.

Every year, more than 1.7 million people in the U.S. sustain a traumatic brain injury, leading to permanent disability in many cases. Brain Injury Awareness Month was created to acknowledge the causes and consequences of brain injury and the need for greater prevention, research, education and advocacy on behalf of individuals who sustain a life-changing brain injury.

During Brain Injury Awareness month, are also talking about wearing helmets for skiing, including New Jersey's new law making it mandatory for children 18 and younger to wear helmets, as well as helmets for other sports.

They are also making people aware of New Jersey's concussion law that requires a brain injury safety program for athletes be created in each school district, that parents and althletes sign the concussion symptoms and facts sheets, and  requires guidelines for returning student athletes to play safely are followed.