Concussion & CTE Foundation

Concussion & CTE Foundation The Concussion & CTE Foundation's mission is to support athletes, veterans & all affected by brain trauma.

08/23/2026

It can be incredibly frustrating not knowing when you’ll start to feel better after a concussion. Every recovery looks different, and Stifel U.S. Ski Team’s Alli Macuga knows all too well how uncertain that journey can be. After nearly a year away from the slopes with post-concussion syndrome, she’s back doing what she loves, and reminding us to take recovery one day at a time and not lose hope.

Hear more about Alli’s journey and path forward in Episode 5 of Invisible Impact: A Post-Concussion Podcast.
📺 Watch on YouTube
🎧 Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

08/20/2026

CTE isn’t just a problem for professional football players. As Dr. Ann McKee, director of Boston University CTE Center, explains, the disease can affect athletes at every level.

There’s a difference between an adult professional athlete knowingly accepting the risks of football and asking kids to do the same.

Young children and high school athletes are still developing physically and neurologically, and they’re not old enough to fully understand or weigh the long-term risks of repeated head impacts. That’s why we advocate for Flag Football Under 14 and are working hard to introduce CTE education at high schools across the country.

Check out our CTE Prevention Protocol on our website to learn more about ways you can help End CTE.

Caring for a loved one with suspected CTE can be challenging, especially when changes in mood, behavior, memory, or thin...
08/19/2026

Caring for a loved one with suspected CTE can be challenging, especially when changes in mood, behavior, memory, or thinking begin to affect daily life.

Swipe for a few tips on how to manage daily life as a caregiver, and know that you’re not alone. If you need support or resources, reach out to our HelpLine team at ConcussionAndCTE.org/HelpLine 💙

Brain injury recovery doesn’t look the same for everyone. And honestly? That’s kinda chic!Taking your time? Kinda chic.R...
08/17/2026

Brain injury recovery doesn’t look the same for everyone. And honestly? That’s kinda chic!

Taking your time? Kinda chic.
Resting when your brain says “not today”? Kinda chic.
Asking for help? Kinda chic.
Choosing your own pace instead of someone else’s timeline? Very chic!

Recovery isn’t a race, and there’s no one “right” way to do it. Your journey is yours, and you’re allowed to honor what you need along the way.

If you or a loved one are struggling after a concussion, our HelpLine team is here to connect you with free support and resources. To submit a request, visit ConcussionAndCTE.org/HelpLine 💙

Barrett Callaghan loved sports from the time he was a little boy. Whether he was playing football, baseball, basketball,...
08/17/2026

Barrett Callaghan loved sports from the time he was a little boy. Whether he was playing football, baseball, basketball, or golf, he gave it his all. Beyond his talent as an athlete, Barrett was known for his big heart. His family and friends remember him most for his compassion, his loyalty, and the way he lived by the motto, “When in Need, I’m There.”

In September 2021, Barrett passed away at just 25 years old. His family donated his brain to the UNITE Brain Bank, where researchers diagnosed him with stage 1 CTE.

Barrett’s family and friends keep his memory alive through the Barrett “Bear” Callaghan WIN IT Foundation, hosting annual events in his honor, including Barrett’s WIN IT Invitational, a golf tournament that celebrates his love of the game. In just two years hosting the event, the foundation has raised over $35,000 for the Concussion & CTE Foundation to support CTE research, diagnosis, and care in Barrett’s honor. Barrett’s parents, Jan and Rich, also serve on our Chicago Advisory Board, helping further our mission to End CTE.

Through Barrett’s brain donation, his family’s advocacy, and the generosity of everyone who supported this year’s WIN IT Invitational, his legacy continues to do exactly that.

We’re incredibly grateful to the Callaghan family and to everyone who came together to honor Barrett while supporting our mission to End CTE. 💙

08/15/2026

Life with post-concussion syndrome often feels like doing a complicated math equation. Thinking ahead to try and control as many variables as you can to keep you symptoms at bay. And even then, there are many you can’t control at all!

A social outing, a trip to the grocery store, a workout, or a full day of work all come with the same questions: Will this trigger symptoms? How much can I handle? What will I have to give up afterward if I push it?

It’s a constant balancing act, and it impacts everything.

Want to hear more about what life with PCS really looks like? Listen to Episode 9 of Invisible Impact: A Post-Concussion Podcast, where former D1 soccer player Hannah Hall sits down with Julia Manning to discuss the realities of living with post-concussion syndrome, the constant calculations behind everyday life, and what it takes to navigate recovery.

📺 Watch on YouTube
🎧 Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

08/13/2026

Mike Albarelli was a high school football player, captain of the lacrosse team at Brown University, and a successful business executive. He was just 38 when he died 8 years ago today.

After his death, Boston University CTE Center researchers diagnosed him with CTE. In the years before his death, Mike became uncharacteristically impatient and increasingly struggled to control his emotions.

In this short documentary from the Concussion & CTE Foundation, his wife, Shannon, who also serves as a member of our Boston Advisory Board, candidly shares Mike’s story. Her perspective offers a powerful glimpse into the profound emotional toll of CTE, not only on the person living with it, but also on the family members who love and care for them. We thank Shannon for all of the work she pours into our mission as we honor Mike’s legacy today.

Watch the full documentary at the link in our stories.

08/11/2026

“When we know better, we do better.”

That’s why Pro Football Hall of Famer Warren Sapp said yes to CTE research.

Every athlete who joins a research study helps move science forward. Each participant brings researchers one step closer to better understanding CTE, improving diagnosis, and ultimately making the games we love safer for future generations.

If you’re a current or former athlete, you can make a difference too. Join CTE research and help advance discoveries that could protect the next generation. Because when we know better, we do better.
➡️ Learn more & sign up for our research registry at ConcussionAndCTE.org/Research

3x Super Bowl champion Roger Craig revealed his vascular dementia diagnosis during the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame in...
08/10/2026

3x Super Bowl champion Roger Craig revealed his vascular dementia diagnosis during the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Saturday. The announcement was made through a taped acceptance speech in which Craig shared that his doctors believe his condition came, in part, from concussions he sustained during his 11-year NFL career.

We admire Mr. Craig for openly acknowledging the possibility that football may have contributed to his dementia diagnosis, and we wish him the very best.
Research published in July 2026 from Boston University CTE Center showed repetitive head impact exposure, like that experienced by NFL players, raises risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia. CTE has been found in more than 90% of the former NFL player brains studied. However, CTE can only be definitively diagnosed after death through a brain examination.

Without a post-mortem study, doctors cannot determine with certainty which neurodegenerative diseases may be contributing to Mr. Craig’s dementia.

If you or a loved one are worried about symptoms of suspected CTE, you’re not alone. Our Helpline is here for you.
Reach out today at ConcussionAndCTE.org/HelpLine

Recovering from a brain injury looks different for everyone, but the good news is there are many treatment options avail...
08/08/2026

Recovering from a brain injury looks different for everyone, but the good news is there are many treatment options available. 💙

If symptoms last longer than about a month, you may be diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome (PCS) or persistent post-concussion symptoms (PPCS). While recovery may take more time, symptoms can still improve with the right care.

Because every person’s symptoms are unique, your healthcare provider may recommend a combination of therapies tailored to your needs. Recovery isn’t one-size-fits-all, and you don’t have to navigate it alone.

If you or someone you know is struggling after a concussion, our free HelpLine is here for you. Our team can connect you with medical providers in your area, peer support, and other free resources. To submit a request, just fill out the form at ConcussionAndCTE.org/HelpLine

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