On June 24, 2018, I had the opportunity to present Concussion Superstars to the Virginia Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) as part of a grant application to support the launch of the organization.

At the time, I was a seventh-grade student at Cooper Middle School in McLean, Virginia, driven by a passion for brain health and a strong desire to make a difference in my community. Following the presentation, our grant request was approved, and we received the full funding needed to get Concussion Superstars off the ground.

Below is a summary of what I shared with the committee that day:

What is Concussion Superstars?

Concussion Superstars is a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing the number of concussions among children in Northern Virginia through education, prevention strategies, and community engagement. The initiative is grounded in science-based recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Why I Started This Organization

Inspiration #1: My Dad

My father, Dr. Majid Fotuhi, is a neurologist with expertise in treating concussions. Hearing him speak about brain injuries at home sparked my own interest in neurology, and inspired my dream to one day become a neurologist myself.

Inspiration #2: My Friend Jennifer

A close friend of mine, Jennifer, suffered a serious concussion after falling off her horse without a helmet. She experienced prolonged symptoms: headaches, insomnia, mood changes, and difficulty focusing in school. Her injury could have been prevented, and that realization deeply motivated me to educate others.

Can Concussions Be Prevented?

Absolutely. The CDC provides detailed guidelines for preventing concussions in youth sports. A few examples from my presentation:

• Soccer:
  • One-third of concussions in girls occur while heading the ball.
  • Recommendation: Limit heading for players under age 13.
  • Emphasize non-contact play and safety rules.
• Football:
  • Two-thirds of high school football concussions occur during tackles.
  • Recommendation: Enforce rules against head-first contact, promote sportsmanship, and ensure helmets are worn properly.
• Basketball:
  • Most concussions in boys stem from player-to-player contact.
  • Recommendation: Penalize dangerous contact and promote safe gameplay.

Goals & Objectives

1. Educate at least 2,000 children in Fairfax County within one year.
2. Reduce concussion incidence by 10% among participating youth.
3. Offer resources and support for children recovering from concussions.

How I Planned to Achieve These Goals

For Goal #1: Education & Outreach

• Develop educational pamphlets and posters.
• Launch a website: concussionsuperstars.org.
• Distribute materials through local schools and newsletters.
• Organize a summer camp and bake sales to raise awareness.
• Invite guest speakers from Inova and collaborate with Brain Injury Services of Virginia.

For Goal #2: Prevention in Sports

• Share CDC safety guidelines with referees and parents.
• Encourage athletes to report symptoms and seek care.
• Promote a team culture that celebrates caution and recovery — calling injured players “Concussion Superstars.”

For Goal #3: Support for Recovery

• Create a resource guide of local treatment centers.
• Collaborate with my father and Brain Injury Services (BIS) to educate families on treatment options.

Funding Breakdown

Item                                                                   Cost

Print Materials                                                  $2,572

Furniture                                                            $275

Food                                                                     $274

Guest Speakers                                                  $300

Nonprofit Registration (501(c)(3))                 $1,000

Website and Unplanned                                 $2,000

Expenses

Total                                                                  $6,421

 

Looking Back

This presentation marked the beginning of a journey that continues to grow. I’m proud of how far Concussion Superstars has come since 2018, and I remain committed to empowering young people with the knowledge they need to protect their brains and advocate for their health.

Thank you to DARS for believing in this vision and helping make it a reality. — Nora Fotuhi, Founder of Concussion Superstars