• The Concussion Awareness Now campaign raises awareness both about the common, everyday ways concussions most often happen and the importance of getting concussions evaluated
• Concussion Awareness Now is a coalition of nearly 20 advocacy groups, founded by Abbott and the Brain Injury Association of America, with Rebel Wilson as the group’s inaugural spokesperson
• The campaign addresses the fact that more than half of people who suspect they have a concussion never get it checked and features a family of characters called the Melons

ABBOTT PARK, Ill., and FAIRFAX, Va. /PRNewswire/ — Concussion Awareness Now, a coalition of nearly 20 advocacy groups founded by Abbott (NYSE: ABT) and the Brain Injury Association of America, unveiled today a new public service campaign to draw attention to concussions and the importance of seeking care.

Experience the interactive Multimedia News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/9143051-abbott-dont-mess-with-your-melon-the-concussion-awareness-now-campaign/

The majority of concussions happen during everyday activities – and more than half of people who suspect they have a concussion never get it checked, according to a recent coalition survey.

The new public service announcement campaign raises awareness both about the common ways concussions happen and the importance of getting them evaluated. Playing off the fact that people sometimes refer to their brain as their “melon,” the campaign features a family of animated characters called the Melons, designed to connect with a wide audience by showcasing real-life situations where head injuries occur. Further, the spots encourage people to get their heads checked for a possible concussion, even if they are hesitant or feel pressure not to. The characters span three generations: grandparents, parents and children.

“Too often people think it’s OK to walk off a possible concussion,” said Dr. Beth McQuiston, neurologist and medical director in Abbott’s diagnostics business. “But like a bruised melon, which can suffer unseen damage beneath the surface, a concussion is a serious injury that isn’t always obvious to the naked eye. By driving awareness, we hope more people will seek care for possible concussions when they hit their head, because you can’t treat what you don’t know.”

Each public service announcement features a Melon character hitting his or her head in a different way: slipping on a toy, texting and walking, tripping over the family pet during a virtual reality game, and playing pickleball. Each spot ends with the tagline, “Don’t mess with your melon – if you hit it, get it checked.” The campaign is launching across digital and social channels.

A survey of 3,000 people conducted by the coalition in November of 2022 highlighted many of the misconceptions about concussions. For example, even though only 3% of concussions that present to the emergency room are the result of sports injuries, 84% of respondents believed athletes are the most at risk for concussion. The leading cause of concussions is slips and falls.

“Most concussions happen to people participating in regular, everyday activities,” said Rick Willis, president and chief executive officer of the Brain Injury Association of America. “In the brain injury community, we take concussions – and their after-effects – very seriously. But not everyone has the same understanding of what situations are most likely to cause concussions or what to do when they experience a hit or bump to the head or a full-body jolt. The Melons offer a unique way to spread awareness about concussions: if you think you or a loved one has sustained a concussion, it’s imperative to get it checked.”

Abbott and the Brain Injury Association of America launched the Concussion Awareness Now coalition in December. The coalition of advocacy groups has teamed up with acclaimed actress, comedian, writer and producer Rebel Wilson to raise awareness about the seriousness of concussions. Wilson has shared her personal concussion story as part of the coalition’s campaign and will appear with the Melons in online content. Wilson suffered a concussion when she slipped on wet grass while walking to the set of a movie.

Concussion Awareness Now is made up of advocacy groups that represent people who have sustained brain injuries – from veterans, older adults and victims of domestic violence – their caregivers, as well as healthcare professionals such as emergency care physicians, physicians assistants, urgent care workers and athletic trainers. The coalition website, CheckYourMelon.com, features information about concussion, tips for seeking treatment, frequently asked questions, a patient question guide and other resources.

About the Brain Injury Association of America
The Brain Injury Association of America is the country’s oldest and largest nationwide brain injury advocacy organization. Our mission is to advance awareness, research, treatment, and education and to improve the quality of life for all people affected by brain injury. We are dedicated to increasing access to quality health care and raising awareness and understanding of brain injury.

Learn more at www.biausa.org, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BrainInjuryAssociationofAmerica, on Instagram at @bia_usa, and on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/brain-injury-association-of-america.

About Abbott
Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 115,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/abbott-/, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews.

SOURCE Abbott

NAPLES, Fla. /PRNewswire/ — Pickleball4America, a newly formed company focused on developing businesses around America’s fastest growing sport, made a series of announcements today highlighted by its merger with the US Open Pickleball Championships®, the launch of a Ballpark Festival Series™ and the closure of its initial round of funding.

The US Open Pickleball Championships draws more players and spectators than any other event in the sport.  This year, “The Biggest Pickleball Party in the World®,” will be held April 15-22 in Naples, FL with a record number of pro and amateur participants from around the world expected to compete for the sport’s most coveted championship title.

Pickleball4America, founded in 2022, is focused on developing an ecosystem around America’s fastest growing sport.Tweet

The Ballpark Festival Series will launch later this year with two of baseball’s most iconic shrines, Fenway Park in Boston and Oracle Park in San Francisco, headlining the schedule. These events will feature professional and amateur tournament competitions as well as open play.  More details will be announced in the coming weeks, including additional venues, dates, and prize money.  Fenway Sports Management, a global sports management company, is engaged as a strategic advisor to Pickleball4America on the Ballpark Festival Series and national sponsorship.

Funding for Pickleball4America is led by a notable roster of sports and technology investors including Boston Seed Capital LLC, Drive by DraftKings, RA Bowman LLC, Adam, Larry and Jared Franklin, Cowboy Up Investments, Checketts Partners and Knudsen Capital LLC.

The US Open Pickleball Championships was founded in 2015 by Terri Graham and Chris Evon who join Pickleball4America as part of the merger and will continue to operate the event.  It attracts over 3,000 amateur and professional players annually.  The tournament is held every April in partnership with Collier County at the 65-court, state-of-the-art pickleball facility at East Naples Community Park.  

“We are thrilled to integrate the US Open Pickleball Championships into Pickleball4America,” said Mike Dee, investor, co-founder and Chairman.  “We thank Terri and Chris for their confidence in us as they had many options.  In the end it was a shared vision we all have for the future of this sport that brought us together. We look forward to building upon this amazing event working with the hundreds of volunteers, government, and civic leaders and of course the participants and spectators who together combine to make Naples the capital of the pickleball universe.”

“It has been very clear to both me and Terri that Pickleball4America is fully aligned with our belief that amateur play is the lifeblood of this sport,” said Evon. “We look forward to working together to bring the game to even more players.”

“We care deeply about the future of pickleball and the US Open’s unique place in its fabric.  Pickleball4America is the perfect partner to help us build upon the Open’s eight-year legacy as the sport’s most meaningful event for both professional and amateur players,” added Graham.

About Pickleball4America
Pickleball4America, founded in 2022, is focused on developing an ecosystem around America’s fastest growing sport, including events, and digital content, commerce, and community. In 2023, Pickleball4America closed its initial round of funding, merged with the US Open Pickleball Championships® and launched the Ballpark Festival Series™, which is bringing more playing opportunities to amateurs and professionals in iconic venues across the U.S. Join the movement™!

SOURCE Pickleball for America, Inc.

https://stmdailynews.com/sleeves-senior-pickleball-report/

Chicken N Pickle is now a major part of the growth of the “Fastest Growing Sport in America!” The restaurant/ sports bar/ pickleball courts venue is expanding further west.

The sport of Pickleball has been growing in popularity over the years, and it’s about to get an even bigger boost in Glendale, Arizona. A new location is set to open in the Westgate Entertainment District in the spring of 2023, and it’s expected to have a significant impact on the local Pickleball community.

The Westgate Entertainment District is a popular destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment in the Phoenix area. The new Pickleball location will be situated in the heart of this vibrant district, making it easily accessible to residents and visitors alike.

The new location will feature state-of-the-art Pickleball courts, equipment, and amenities, making it one of the premier Pickleball facilities in the region. It will also offer a wide range of programs and events geared towards players of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to seasoned veterans.

The impact of this new facility on the local Pickleball community is expected to be significant. With more and better facilities available, more people will be able to play Pickleball, and the sport will become even more popular.

This, in turn, could lead to a greater demand for Pickleball coaches, trainers, and instructors, as well as more opportunities for Pickleball tournaments and competitions. It could also attract more Pickleball players and enthusiasts to the Glendale area, which could have a positive impact on the local economy.

Overall, the new Pickleball location in the Westgate Entertainment District is an exciting development for the sport of Pickleball in Glendale and beyond. With its top-notch facilities and programming, it’s sure to be a hit with players and fans alike, and it could help to elevate Pickleball to new heights of popularity and success in the years to come.

https://stmdailynews.com/category/sports/sleeves-senior-pickleball/