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Did you know that every year in Tasmania, over an estimated 7,700 people acquire a brain injury?

The 2026 National Brain Injury Awareness Week (BIAW) will be held this year from the 17 - 21 August. This year we want to show that brain injury is bigger than you think.

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Inspired by the meaningful social enterprise 1000 Hearts, to bring this message to life, we are embarking on an ambitious project to make approximately 7,700 hearts - each representing a person who acquires a brain injury in a single year in Tasmania.

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Of the estimated 7,700 people who acquire a brain injury, this includes around 4,000 traumatic brain injuries and 1,180 stroke cases. A further 2,500 people are diagnosed with neurodegenerative conditions causing brain injury. The remainder includes people impacted by brain cancer, tumours, alcohol- and drug-related brain injuries, infections, and FASD. It also includes people affected by less visible and often under-recognised causes of brain injury, such as concussion and repeated head impacts, blast-related injuries, and injuries caused with domestic and family violence. For many people, these injuries may go unrecognised or untreated, particularly where they have not felt safe or able to seek support.

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The handmade hearts will be featured in a meaningful and educational art installation at our BIAW launch event, helping to illustrate that 7,700 is not just a number, but real people with real stories. It is important to note that this figure is an estimate based on currently available research. Due to limited data on acquired brain injury incidence in Tasmania, the true number is likely to be higher.

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Following the installation, the hearts will be distributed to people living with brain injury through frontline services, including hospitals and rehabilitation centres. Each heart will be accompanied by information and an invitation to connect with local Peer Support Groups.

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BIAW will also feature a range of other engaging events, which will be shared as the theme is announced—watch this space!

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This is an ambitious undertaking, but we know that together, as a community, we can make it happen. We look forward to marking this meaningful week with you and are sincerely grateful for any contributions to our Hearts for Brain Injury Project.

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How to get involved  

Make hearts!

1. If you'd like a pre-cut template, you can purchased pre-cut hearts from 1000 hearts here 
2. Get creative and make your own hearts from fabric or other textiles
3. Spread the fun and host a craft session with friends or your colleagues

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Follow the link below to a video on how to sew a felt heart:

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Extra information:  

Size: Please make the hearts a small size -  so fits in the palm of your hand and can easily be fit into your pocket. 

Materials: You can make the heart with anything that’s clean and sturdy. Please do not use any material that easily breaks or degrades such as food or paper. For example: 

• Upcycle old fabric and use old buttons, lace or ribbons to decorate. 

• Felt  

• Ceramic (must be fired)  

• Wood (must be free of splinters)  

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How to drop off/donate your hearts to BIAT

You can drop off the hearts in person at:

The ABC Building in Hobart

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Alternatively, you can post the hearts to:  

Brain Injury Association of Tasmania 

ABC Building  

1 Liverpool Street  

Hobart, TAS 7000 

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If you would like assistance with dropping off or posting hearts, please call us on 1300 242 827. 

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Spread the word!

Social media: share a photo of your heart/hearts with the hashtag #hearts4braininjurytas and tag us at @biat_org (instagram) @braininjuryassociationoftasmania (facebook)

Donate: to BIAT to help us fund this meaningful project: Donate here

Share your insights or stories: Do you have lived experience of brain injury or are a family member or carer and would like to share your story or insights?

If you are interested in sharing your story, please email us at peersupport@biat.org.au or call us on 1300 242 827