FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

***MEDIA ALERT***

Bike Helmet Giveaway Marks Opening of New American Academy of Neurology HeadquartersSaturday’s Event Coincides with Brain Health Awareness Day and Brain Health Food Demos at Mill City Farmers Market

WHAT: FREE Bike Helmet Giveaway by American Academy of Neurology WHERE: Mill City Farmers Market on Chicago Mall, Minneapolis, outside Guthrie Theater WHEN: Saturday, June 9, 2012, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES: •Neurologists and Academy staff will hand out and fit 1,000 free bike helmets from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.•Ribbon-cutting ceremony is at 6:30 p.m. at Academy’s new headquarters with City Council members

MINNEAPOLIS – The American Academy of Neurology is celebrating the grand opening of its new headquarters in Minneapolis by giving away 1,000 free bike helmets for adults and children at the Mill City Farmers Market on Saturday, June 9, 2012.

“The bike helmet giveaway is our way of saying thanks to Minneapolis, particularly the Mill City neighborhood, for their support and warm welcome of our new building,” said Catherine M. Rydell, CAE, Executive Director and CEO of the American Academy of Neurology. “We encourage everyone to visit the Mill City Farmers Market this Saturday, receive a free bike helmet, and learn why it’s important to protect and maintain a healthy brain.”

As the largest trade association in Minnesota, the American Academy of Neurology has built its new headquarters at Chicago Avenue and 2nd Street, across from the Mill City Farmers Market. It is the first substantial office building to be constructed in downtown Minneapolis in the past 10 years.

As part of Saturday’s celebration, the Mill City Farmers Market will do a cooking demonstration on healthy brain food as a part of Mill City Cooks in the kitchen at 10:00 a.m. Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak also proclaimed Saturday as Brain Health Awareness Day in the city to raise awareness of brain disease and the importance of supporting research to find cures.

In addition to the Mill City Farmers Market bike helmet giveaway, the Academy has also donated 1,000 bike helmets again this year to children in north Minneapolis through local bike fests hosted by Venture North.

The American Academy of Neurology, the world’s largest association of neurologists with more than 25,000 members, is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, migraine, multiple sclerosis, brain injury, Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy. Learn more at http://www.aan.com. Mill City Farmers Market’s mission is to support local, sustainable and organic agriculture, increasing economic opportunities for farmers, urban youth, small businesses and food artisans. To offer experiential learning about and access to healthy local foods and build a vibrant gathering place for Minneapolis residents and visitors. Learn more at http://www.millcityfarmersmarket.org.