Brains Worldwide Calls for Passage of Canada’s First Concussion Legislation

Rowan’s Law, set for debate today in Toronto, would develop
concussion protocols for youth sports

AUSTIN, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Brains Worldwide Foundation NFP today called for Canada’s Ontario
provincial legislature to pass proposed legislation that would introduce
concussion protocols and awareness initiatives of concussions in youth
sports and other activities.

The Legislative Assembly of Ontario is scheduled today to debate Rowan’s
Law, which is named after a 17-year-old Ottawa girl, Rowan Stringer, who
died in 2013 several days after being knocked unconscious during a rugby
game. It was later discovered that she had suffered three concussions
within a week.

“Brains Worldwide urges the passage of Rowan’s Law because it would
introduce measures that could save lives,” said Oz Schaefer, founder of
the Brains Worldwide Foundation. “We believe the safety of children
rests firmly on effective communication, ongoing monitoring and active
partnership between parents, coaches and pediatricians, and Rowan’s Law
is a significant step toward making this possible in Ottawa and
throughout Canada.”

All 50 of the United States have laws dictating the management of youth
concussions. If Rowan’s Law passes, Ontario would be the first Canadian
province with similar legislation.

Schaefer said concussion protocols could also help identify previously
undetected concussions. Researchers estimate that as many as 90 percent
of youth concussions are missed or never diagnosed. “Far too often their
symptoms are mistaken for other conditions such as attention deficit
disorder or depression,” he said.

The foundation has launched a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo to help
advance research and awareness associated with misdiagnosed and
undetected concussions in youth sports and other activities. Funds will
be used in part to provide 150 families—with children 8-18 years old—an
objective assessment system of concussions for home use. The Objective
Brain Concussion Assessment and Monitoring System (OBCAMS) gives
families and non-medical personnel a portable, affordable assessment
tool to monitor their children’s brain health across the five most
critical areas of the brain. They can then share ongoing, objective
reports with their children’s doctor to help make more informed
decisions about whether or not to let their children return to the
playing field—or playground—following a documented concussion. More
information is available at TheHiddenDanger.com.

About Brains Worldwide Foundation

Brains Worldwide Foundation NFP is impacting the lives of those who have
suffered from misdiagnosed or undiagnosed concussions, including
servicemen, women, children and athletes. The foundation’s mandate is to
provide education on the hidden dangers of brain concussions, conduct
research on objective assessment technologies for concussions and fund
college scholarships for injured student-athletes. Visit www.TheHiddenDanger.com
to learn more about the innovative work being done to keep children safe.

Contacts

SnappConner PR
Mark Fredrickson, 801-806-0161
mark@snappconner.com