Pro Player Foundation kicks off Educate. Elevate. Collaborate. Initiative.
#EEC aims to increase outreach, engagement and awareness.
WHO & WHAT:
Pro Player Foundation is proud to announce our Educate.Elevate.Collaborate. Initiative. #EEC is a multi-faceted Initiative that features a social media campaign, a live streamed Collaborative Panel and an MS Fotonovela. Nearly one million individuals are living with MS in the United States. Pro Player Foundation has determined there is a gap in educating and creating awareness about Multiple Sclerosis (MS) specifically in underrepresented communities. According to the MSAA, although MS affects all races and ethnicities, specific minority populations may bear a disproportionate share of the disease burden. Recent research has suggested African Americans carry a higher risk of developing MS and appear to experience a particularly aggressive disease course, with increased severity and more rapid progression. The National MS Society cites studies that show Hispanics with MS are more likely to have optic neuritis (an inflammation of the nerves that connect the eyes to the brain) than other ethnicities and MS is on the rise in these communities. We want to encourage participation in research and trials especially in the minority communities where there is little representation. We aim to address these gaps and increase MS knowledge as a whole. We salute our MVP Sponsors, Biogen and Bristol Myers Squibb and our Tailgate sponsors, Sanofi Genzyme and Genentech. The Austin Radio Network serves as our media partner and EEC is also made possible with a grant from Genentech.
Our Pro Player Foundation Social Media Campaign serves as the voice of the Educate. Elevate. Collaborate. We are sharing key messages from our roster of Athlete Ambassadors via our collective social media platforms. Our “Did You Know?” series features vital Multiple Sclerosis information and resources to educate the community. Our social media plan seeks to increase knowledge and engagement as we aspire to elevate access to valuable resources.
Our Pro Player Foundation Collaborative is a Virtual Live Streamed Panel designed to illuminate and amplify issues the Multiple Sclerosis community faces. Tyler Campbell, a prolific speaker, will moderate the kick-off Collaborative Panel and share his Multiple Sclerosis journey. Featured guests include a Pro Player Foundation Athlete Ambassador, a healthcare expert and Multiple Sclerosis patient. Our Pro Player Foundation team is passionate about publicizing vital information in a culturally sensitive way. Our Collaborative Panel will draw a diverse crowd and promises to engage a unique audience that moves the MS conversation forward.
We are developing and producing a Fotonovela as a tool that can be distributed to a variety of target audiences. The Fotonovela serves as a vehicle to engage the community while sharing necessary Multiple Sclerosis information. The Fotonovela will be disseminated in both English and Spanish with the goal to establish a line of communication with marginalized groups. We intend to increase Multiple Sclerosis health literacy and bridge existing information gaps found in minority communities.
WHY:
When the pandemic hit the country, events were paused including our Flavors events. We saw the opportunity to develop and launch an important Initiative that is close to our hearts. Our team recognized the need for MS education and outreach and Educate.Elevate.Collaborate. was created. Our mission at Pro Player Foundation is to address the needs of underrepresented communities by raising dollars and awareness through special events and programs. The EEC Initiative reflects our core values in serving those who may fall through the cracks or not respond to traditional communication methods. Pro Player Foundation partners with athletes to achieve philanthropic and community needs, and we believe there is nothing we cannot achieve when we unite and work together. Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2007 while playing football at San Diego State University, Tyler Campbell refuses to let the disease stop him from moving his life forward. A successful businessman, husband and father, Tyler views his diagnosis as a blessing, stating, “I now have the opportunity to share my experience to help others living with this disease and make an impact on the MS community.”
HOW:
To contribute to our Educate.Elevate.Collaborate Initiative or our Research and Support Fund, please visit www.proplayerfoundation.org for more information.
WHEN:
February 9, 2021 through August 15, 2021
www.proplayerfoundation.org
Instagram: proplayerfoundation
Twitter: @ProPlays
#rEECh