WARNING! Athletes from age 11 through high school must be protected from the danger of repeated concussions.

This alert comes from The Arizona Sports Concussion Network (AZSCN), the state's only independent organization of its type. AZSCN is an alliance of physicians, psychologists, athletic trainers, high school administrators and other youth sports leaders dedicated to increasing awareness of and preventing life-altering, concussion-related injuries to young athletes from age 11. The members of this unique coalition warn of the consequences associated with the all-too-frequent and largely preventable occurrences of Post Concussion Syndrome (PCS), Second Impact Syndrome (SIS) and other permanent brain injuries.

These younger athletes are especially at risk because their brains are still developing, and a repeated concussion could sideline their life. AZSCN's vital mission is to combat this often destructive and potentially devastating - yet relatively unrecognized - problem. To accomplish this, it provides educational services, training, physician referrals and related services.

Most important, however, to proactively protect Arizona's young athletes, it has arranged for the services of certified physicians and Arizona Sports Concussion Center (AZSCC) www.AZSportsConcussion.com, with its Concussion Management Program, featuring the Impact™ computerized neuropsychological baseline (pre-injury) test. Impact™ testing is the nationally recognized standard for sports-related pre- and post-injury testing.

Sponsorship and donor opportunities

As is the case in Indiana www.indianasportsconcussionnetwork.com, AZSCN members are excited about prospects for maximizing opportunities for Arizona's high school and younger athletes to have access to Impact™ testing.

In Arizona, approximately 100,000 youth athletes, ages 11 through high school, participate in contact and collision sports, and sponsorship or donation funds may be required to cover the costs of individual testing. This is because indications are that if it is left to parents to pay the relatively modest individual testing fee only a small percentage will do so.

Because of a shortage of funding, at present AZSCN can only scratch the surface of the need for testing and education, and therefore is seeking support through sponsors and donors in order to make Impact™ testing available to all who should take advantage of it.

If you are interested in obtaining more information about becoming a member or donor, or sponsorship opportunities please click here.