stopconcussions is a not-for-profit national organization that was established to educate and advocate on the cause, effects, and consequences of concussions and neurotrama injuries.
Founded by players and alumni, medical professionals, trainers, and various key sports associations, we have developed and executed key programs that reduce the incidence of catastrophic injuries in all sports. We believe that through education and skills development we can significantly reduce the number of concussions and injuries while enhancing the quality of sport and sportsmanship.
Across North America, we are having meaningful discussions with hockey players of all ages and their families, coaches, and organizations about avoiding, assessing, and eliminating concussions from our national sports. The good news is we are gaining momentum.
Why we need change:
Brain injury kills more children than all other causes combined
Approximately 50,000 brain injuries are reported each year in Canada
Brain injury is the greatest cause of disability under the age of 44
10% of all athletes in contact sports suffer a concussion
19% of these are unreported
At stopconcussions we fully realize the importance of sport – many of us had made or continue to make our living from it – but we also know that to safeguard the future of sport we must ensure that it is protected from undue risk. Parents, associations, and communities are demanding this. No parent wants his or her child to be at risk.
“A concussion is a brain injury and its effects can be devastating and life altering. It could be the death of sport as we know it if we don’t get a handle on this problem.” – Keith Primeau
By educating the public, coaches, parents, and players in ways to play safe and to minimize the potential for injury; we enhance their skills, reduce the risk of injuries, and better the sport overall.
“If we don’t tackle the problem together, sports will never be the same. We have parents and audiences with the highest level of education ever. They want quality play and skill and they want to safeguard their children. Their voices are gaining momentum, they will be heard.” – Drew McDougall soccer coach and parent
Our goal at stopconcussions is to ensure that sport continues to evolve and that its future – and the future of its players – are safe. Your sponsorship will guarantee these initiatives towards these goals continue. Only through education can we reduce the incidences of concussions.
stopconcussions Ambassadors are an important part of the evolution in education, awareness and research of concussions. Our Ambassadors have overcome many obstacles and enjoy a person to person approach in sharing their own personal knowledge, experiences and rehabilitations. Working with the Ambassadors provides an inside out approach that not only excites but inspires change.
Keith Primeau
Co-founder of stopconcussions and a 15-year NHL veteran. Keith Primeau played with the Detroit Red Wings, Hartford Whalers, Carolina Hurricanes, and the Philadelphia Flyers. Keith suffered four documented concussions during his playing career. As a result of ongoing post-concussion syndrome, he officially announced his retirement on September 14, 2006. He is on a mission to stop concussions in hockey and other sports.
Kerry Goulet
Co-founder of stopconcussions and a star European hockey player who at one point acted as a player, coach, and general manager of his teams. Kerry has suffered two documented concussions and knows first-hand the effects of post-concussion syndrome. Kerry has focused all of his efforts into generating awareness in regards to concussions and neurotrauma through stopconcussions. He is passionate about educating coaches, trainers, parents, and players on the lifelong effects concussions have on the people who have suffered them.
Other supporting athletes include:
Kyle Quincey, NHL
Ron Ellis, former NHL and Team Canada
Zenon Konopka, NHL
Colin Doyle, Lacrosse
Mike Robertson, Ski and Snowboard
John Chick, CFL and NFL
Andy Fantuz, CFL
Jason de Vos, CSL Alumni, CBC soccer
Paul Rosen, Gold Medalist, 2006 Sledge Hockey
… and many more.
In our Backyards
Everyday you or your children participate in sports activities that produce risks for sustaining a concussion; including other activities such as a car accident while driving to school, a trip on the sidewalk, a fall from a bike, or a slip in the shower.
In Ontario, 44 people sustain a brain injury EVERY DAY.
The annual incidence of TBI is greater than that of multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, HIV/AIDS, and Breast Cancer combined.
Brain injury from trauma is the greatest killer under the age of 45; the greatest cause of disability under 44; and kills more children under 20 than all other causes combined.
An average estimate is that every night in Canada during the hockey season, 54 male hockey players between 15 to 20 years old go to bed with a concussion.
Too many children are going to bed tonight with undiagnosed concussions.
In the Pros
Since 1996 over 30 professional hockey players had their careers cut short, most notably, Pat Lafontaine, Eric Lindros, Marc Savard, Paul Kariya, and Keith Primeau.
The NFL has seen some of its star players sidelined by concussions: DeSean Jackson, Aaron Rodgers, Austin Collie, and Kurt Warner.
Major League Baseball saw Justin Morneau, David Wright, Jorge Posada, Aaron Hill, and Josh Beckett miss games.
LANDMARK INITIATIVES
Exclusive iPhone app available to download on smartphones to use as a communication and education tool – with emergency map support.
The Head Zone presented by Source For Sports giving athletes and families the best advice and fit for their helmet needs.
ZK28 wine series; whereby a portion of the sales support stopconcussions and is lead by Zenon Konopka, Ottawa Senators.
Raising awareness, skills enhancement, and behavioural change are the keys to preventing injury.
Education and Awareness Campaigns: 3-part team system delivering respect and educational programs to major/minor assocation teams on concussions, including teaching skills that will enable teams to improve, but more importantly, safer players for a more effective game.
• Web resources (stopconcussions.com, shiftconcussion.ca)
• Concussion education webinars for coaches, trainers, athletes and parents; including Hockey Manitoba, Hockey Calgary, The Greater Toronto Hockey League, Hockey Edmonton
• Training and education workshops for teams, coaches, officials
Comprehensive Baseline Testing: Includes an assessment of cognitive function and physical performance.
• Cognitive Function (learning, memory, processing speed, accuracy)
• Balance, Coordination, and Neurological Function
• Strength and Endurance Testing
Post Injury and Management: Comprehensive examinations of injured athlete including cognitive and physical re-assessment for baseline comparison for safe recovery and return to participation.
• Manual therapy options for associated secondary physical complaints when warranted
• Graduated physical exertion testing once symptom free for appropriate return to participation preparation
• Ongoing communications with medical physician involved in athlete’s care (including full progress reporting) to aid in return to participation decision making
