According to the CDC, as many as 3.8 million sports- and recreational-related concussions occur in the US each year. This is one every 8 seconds! All concussions are serious because they are traumatic brain injuries and most occur without a person losing consciousness. Concussions occur in every sport with children playing soccer, basketball, football, hockey, wrestling, baseball, and cycling at the highest risk. In addition, falls on the playground account for a large percentage of concussions. There are far too many concussions but there are far too few programs aimed at educating young people and their families on the seriousness of concussions. The Derek Sheely Foundation works to raise awareness of concussions among young people and their families. We provide education/awareness kits that contain tangible reminders of the signs, symptoms, and devastating consequences of untreated concussions and traumatic brain injuries. The kits aim to increase injury prevention through awareness and concrete advice. To educate the targeted audience the kits would include items such as: wristbands, pen, magnet, concussion fact card, and the Foundation’s pamphlet and contact information. Youth athletes and their families will be able to easily understand and remember that concussions happen in all sports and all concussions are brain injuries.

Derek stood up for the little guy, the most vulnerable in society, and his legacy of helping people will continue through this Foundation, by educating young people on the seriousness of concussions. Our sports culture is one of brush-it-off-and-go-back-in. That is why the vast majority of concussions and brain injuries go unreported and underappreciated. Repetitive brain injuries can cause permanent damage or death. An awareness campaign to alert children and parents to the signs, symptoms, consequences, and preventative steps can help ensure other children and families don’t suffer the devastation of severe brain injuries.

We have distributed approximately 12,500 Concussion Awareness Kits since 2011, and the map below details where kits were sent.