The Trauma Center at Penn

Today is Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

Abuse of older adults is more common than most people realize, and it doesn't always look the way you might expect. It can be physical, emotional, financial, or neglect — and it happens in homes, in families, and in care facilities.

If you suspect an older adult in your life is being abused, you don't need proof to make a report. If you are an older adult experiencing abuse, you have the right to get help.

In Philadelphia, call the PCA Helpline at 215-765-9040. Anywhere else in Pennsylvania, call 1-800-490-8505. Both lines are free, available 24/7, and completely confidential.

Tomorrow is World Blood Donor Day. At Penn Trauma, we see every day what it means when blood is there and what it means when it isn't. There is no substitute.
In 2025, generous donors gave a part of themselves so our team could save lives.

Here is what that looked like:
🩸 1,323 units of whole blood
🩸 2,491 units of red blood cells
🩸 1,198 units of plasma
🩸 937 units of platelets
🩸 316 units of cryoprecipitate

Over 2,500 people rolled up their sleeve so that someone they will never meet had a chance to survive. Without that generosity, we simply could not do our job.

One donation of whole blood can yield up to four products: red blood cells, platelets, plasma, and cryoprecipitate. Each one capable of saving a different life.

The blood that saves someone in our trauma bay was donated days or weeks before they ever arrived.

To our donors, thank you. If you've been thinking about giving, tomorrow is a perfect day to start. Schedule at a time that works for you: redcrossblood.org/local-homepage/location/philadelphia-american-red-cross.html

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Today is the last day of school in Philadelphia.

Starting tomorrow, our streets, sidewalks, and neighborhoods are going to look different. Kids are outside, they're excited, and they're not always thinking about traffic.

That's on us as drivers. Slow down. Put the phone down. Expect the unexpected. The few seconds you save are never worth it.

Have a safe and happy summer, Philadelphia.

It's Community Health Improvement Week.

Falls are one of the leading causes of serious injury in older adults, and Tai Chi is one of the most effective tools we have to prevent them. Research shows it improves balance, builds core strength, and boosts confidence in your own body.

Penn Trauma offers a free virtual Tai Chi program you can do from home, on your phone or computer, on your own schedule.

Get started at pennmedicine.org/taichi

Happy Pride from the Penn Trauma team.

We see you, we celebrate you, and we are proud to serve you in our community.

These are our streets.

These are our neighbors.

This is our community.

For the our team, gun violence has never been abstract.

We see it, we treat it, and we sit with patients and families in their hardest moments.

Today we wear orange for every person behind every street on this map. We are committed to seeing this end.

Today is National SAFE Day.

Safe storage saves lives.

If you live in Philadelphia or Delaware County, we can help.

Visit pennmedicine.org/firearmsafety to learn more about getting a free gun safe.

Today is World Bicycle Day. In our neighborhoods, a bike is how a lot of people get to work, get to school, and get through their day.

We see what happens when drivers aren't paying attention. Keeping cyclists safe on Philadelphia streets is everyone's job — not just the person on the bike.

Share this with someone who drives in the city.

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and we closed it out the right way.

Earlier this month, riders pulled up to RevZilla Philadelphia for a day of real talk about what happens after a crash, and what you can do about it.

Here is what we covered:
-What to do at a crash scene. Most people freeze. We talked through exactly what to do in those first critical minutes before EMS arrives, because the person standing there is often the one who makes the difference.
-Bleeding control. Severe bleeding can be fatal in minutes. We put hands on tourniquets and wound packing, because knowing it and doing it are two different things.
-CPR. Because sometimes bleeding control is not enough and you need to know what comes next.
-Helmet safety and gear. Not all helmets are created equal. The RevZilla team broke down what to look for, what to avoid, and why the gear you wear before a crash is the most important decision you make as a rider.

None of this happens without an incredible group of partners who showed up and made the day what it was. A huge thank you to our host RevZilla Philadelphia, and to PennDOT, Tower Health Reading Hospital, Rider Training of NJ, Philadelphia Highway Patrol, PennCAMP, and Penn Community Violence Intervention for bringing your expertise and your passion for keeping riders safe.
See you next year. 🏍️💙



Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Philadelphia Police Department

Today is National E-Bike Day, and we are celebrating the way a lot of Philadelphians are getting around these days. E-bikes are a great way to move through the city. We want to make sure you get home safe every time you ride.

Here is what we see too often at Penn Trauma:
- Riders without helmets. E-bikes are not regular bikes. They move faster, sometimes up to 28 miles per hour, and the injuries we see when riders go down without a helmet are serious. Wear one. Every ride. No exceptions.
- Speed and traffic. That extra power is part of what makes e-bikes so appealing, but it also means less time to react. Ride at a speed that gives you room to stop. Watch for car doors, pedestrians stepping off curbs, and drivers who are not expecting you to be moving as fast as you are.

E-bikes are here to stay in Philadelphia and we are glad for it. Just ride like your head matters, because it does. 💙