Mind Matters Foundation Case Study

The Mind Matters Foundation is a non-profit organization that aims to be at the forefront of concussion prevention. A concussion is like a bruise on the brain; youth concussions are a gateway to negative effects at first impact and can possibly lead to life threatening injuries. We believe that implementing certified athletic trainers, providing equipment, and educating primary and secondary school’s athletic departments will aid in ameliorating awareness and prevention. By executing our research and prevention tactics, we have been able to cultivate safer athletic communities. We want our kids to play smarter, play safer, and play longer.
Inspired by her 18 years working with the University of Mississippi’s football program, Chyna Ward, executive director of The Mind Matters Foundation, has seen it all – on and off the field. As an athlete and supporter of student athletes, Ward has spent much of her life around sports. Therefore, stories like Zack Lystedt’s strike a chord with individuals like Ward. Lystedt was a student-athlete that was tackled then told by his coach to “shake it off.” Lystedt’s journey as a concussion survivor began with one blow, and led him to being airlifted to a hospital. This story was covered by major news networks and eventually led to a law, which protects athletes like Lystedt from returning to play in games after major injuries.
A majority of schools lack athletic trainers, multi-sskilled health care professionals, who are certified to handle and prevent injuries like concussions and many more. By equipping every school in the United States with these trainers, it is our hope to apply our research and methodology to improve the quality of young athlete’s sports. With your donation, we hope you can be the star player who helps us play smarter, play safer, and play