CTE Hope

 

OUR MISSION

 

We exist to provide hope and support to individuals and families who have suffered from the ill-effects of multiple concussions and traumatic brain injuries. CTE Hope provides education and awareness, and supports the research, diagnosis, management, and treatment necessary to protect individuals from the long-term effects of head traumas and concussions that can lead to Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).

Through research and development, we are searching for ways to identify CTE potential in concussed and sub-concussed brains. It is our aim to protect and defend against the long-term, ill-effects of multiple brain injuries – many of which occur often in organized sports, as well as everyday life. This is your chance to help us succeed.

Research

CTE Hope is committed to supporting research on chronic traumatic encephalopathy and other long-term consequences of repetitive brain trauma in athletes, military personnel, and victims of domestic violence.

Development

From the research gathered we hope to develop better return-to-play, return-to-learn, and return-to-work protocols to protect ourselves and our athletes from CTE. We also intend to develop a certification program to ensure that caregivers have the correct information and guidelines to treat injured athletes accurately.

Support

At CTE Hope, we’re developing support groups that provide a safe space for dialogue, encouragement, resources, and hope for those suffering from post traumatic brain injuries (TBI). In addition, we encourage anyone suffering from post-subconcussive hit and post-TBI symptoms, to contact us. We provide management and treatment resources, ranging from dietary changes, CTE information, and referrals to CTE medical programs and studies. We are actively seeking partnerships within the medical community in hopes of facilitating more support resources for those who suffer from traumatic brain injuries and the symptoms that follow.

Advocacy

CTE Hope was successful in getting the Iowa (IA) legislature to introduce and adopt a resolution recognizing January 30th, 2018 as CTE Awareness Day. In time, we would like to support and introduce legislation requiring a certified athletic trainer on the sidelines of every contact sport event. CTE Hope also continuously spreads awareness and provides updated information and news on the dangers of repetitive hits to the brain

Leadership Blurp

Leadership

We are seeking preventative measures to protect our athletes from the dangers of CTE – ensuring parents, athletic trainers, and coaches have the information they need to keep them safe.

Brenda Easter

Chief Executive Officer, and co-Founder

Brenda Easter, along with a group of talented individuals, founded CTE Hope after the loss of her son, Zachary, to Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) as a result of the many concussions and subconcussive hits he sustained throughout his life. She is committed to sharing her son’s legacy to make contact sports safer.

Alison Epperson

Chief Communications Officer, and co-Founder

Alison Epperson, JD received her Bachelor of Arts in Politics and International Studies from Centre College in Danville, KY and received her Juris Doctor from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in Cleveland, OH. She is now a practicing attorney in New York City. Alison was Zac Easter’s long-time girlfriend. She was involved in the founding of CTE Hope and currently serves as our Chief Communications and Marketing Officer, while assisting in development and programming.

Mike Hadden

Chief Research Officer, and co-Founder

Mike Hadden, MS ATC LAT CSCS is a former Professor of Sport Science and Health Education at Simpson College. He has evaluated and managed over 500 sports-related concussions (mild traumatic brain injury) at the high-school and college level. Hadden’s main interests are the effects of concussions and CTE. He currently is working on publishing his sabbatical report that focuses on concussions, neuroinflammation, CTE, gene expression, and protein degradation systems.

Sue Wilson

Chief Resource Officer, and co-Founder

Sue Wilson, MS LAT ATC PES HHC has been a Certified Athletic Trainer since 2001 and received her degree from Simpson College. She received her master’s degree in Exercise Physiology from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 2005 and in 2007 became a Performance Enhancement Specialist from the National Academy of Sports Medicine.

After all, you want them to remember your name.


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