Partnerships and Projects
Introducing the #37 Journey
Description: The "#37 Journey," an initiative dedicated to Matthew, who started his journey in contact sports at the age of 4, participating in three helmet sports year-round for over 10 years. Throughout his college years, he proudly wore the #37 jersey, yet encountered adversity when he experienced two concussions in a single football game during his junior year. Regrettably, he never fully recovered from that fateful game. Join us at the 10th Annual International International Concussion Summit on May 2nd and 3rd, 2024, in Niagara Falls, Ontario as we advance our mission and we send 37 special participants on this journey to explore the most recent research in neuroscience and the latest advancements in treatment and prevention for athletes dealing with concussions or repetitive head impacts.
Why Attend? Whether you're a doctor, trainer, student, psychologist, coach, parent, or athlete, please consider the opportunity to dig into the forefront of concussion research at the 10th Annual International Concussion Summit. Engage with world-renowned researchers and speakers and enrich your understanding of this critical field to help your athletes or yourself. Spend a day and a half networking with peers against the breathtaking backdrop of Niagara Falls, Ontario.
Limited Admissions: Don't miss this chance as registrations are filling up. We still have a limited number of complimentary admissions to this event. To secure your spot, reach out to us at matthewbenedictsonelastgoal@gmail.com or call/text us at 716-992-9533.
Act Now - Register Early: Given the conference's sell-out history, ensure your participation by registering early. Make your mark in the journey towards comprehensive concussion solutions.
Campus partnerships
We’re passionate about working with and for students.
Summer 2023 We provided an opportunity for two college student interns (One Last Goal was able to fund one of the students) to work with Dr. Ann McKee in her lab at the Boston University Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) Center. We believe the mental health issues of many young athletes stems from repetitive head trauma and/or concussions, and we know that Dr. McKee and her team are feverishly researching ways to help these athletes. We were happy to play a small role in this research by providing more personnel in the lab, and helping young talent learn the research methods to help work for a cure.
Summer 2022 We partnered with Middlebury College and the Concussion Legacy Foundation to fund a summer internship for a Middlebury College student. This student will intern at the Concussion Legacy Foundation and help in its mission to support athletes, Veterans, and all affected by concussions and CTE and also to achieve smarter sports and safer athletes through education and innovation; and to End CTE through prevention and research
Spring 2022 We worked with Erie Community College to fund Project Connect at all three campuses. This is a social belongingness project that focuses on building connections and community between students. Matthew spoke often about the importance of connection to others and the value that vulnerability and connection can have on improving mental health and overall well-being. One of Matthew’s most powerful quotes urges us to connect with others deeply: “Start the Conversation Now…Life is Precious.”
Summer 2021 We worked with the Center for Careers and Internships at Middlebury and up an internship in Matthew's name. We funded one half of a 2021 summer internship for a Middlebury College student. The ideal candidate for this internship studied in the mental health, concussion, and/or neuroscience field and will be working towards the treatment of, or a better understanding of, mental health, concussions, and/or brain related diseases.
Spring/Fall 2021 We worked with the University at Buffalo, and the Hillinski’s Hope Foundation to “Bring H3H to Campus”. We are also brought this program to Middlebury College. This is a program created through partnership with the NCAA Sports Science Institute. This comprehensive program helps universities save lives, eliminate stigma, and scale mental wellness programs for student-athletes by providing the practical tools for the schools with student-athletes to implement the change necessary to bring parity to mental health in line with all other illnesses and injuries these student-athletes face. We will know more soon if the applications were accepted. If so, One Last Goal will help fund “H3H” at these two colleges which meant so much to Matthew.
2020-2023 We are proud to be sponsoring a new Middlebury College program called ProjectConnect. This is a social belongingness project that focuses on building connections and community between students. Matthew spoke often about the importance of connection to others and the value that vulnerability and connection can have on improving mental health and overall well-being. One of Matthew’s most powerful quotes urges us to connect with others deeply:
“Start the conversation now...life is precious.”
Scholarship
The communities we work with are home to extraordinary students who are leaders in their schools, towns, teams, and classrooms. We’d love to get to know you better - and to help you pursue your college degree.
Speaker series
One Last Goal’s speaker series will bring guests with expertise and experience in the fields of mental health and brain health to schools and universities across New York state. They’ll share their stories and the resources that have helped them in their journey.
Spring 2024
Introducing the "#37 Journey"
Description: The "#37 Journey," an initiative dedicated to Matthew, who played three helmet sports year round for over 10 years, and while in college wore #37, faced two concussions in one football game as a junior, and tragically never recovered. Join us at the 10th Annual International International Concussion Summit on May 2nd and 3rd, 2024, in Niagara Falls, Ontario as we advance our mission and we send 37 participants on this journey to explore the most recent research in neuroscience and the latest advancements in treatment and prevention for athletes dealing with concussions or repetitive head impacts.
Why Attend? Whether you're a doctor, trainer, student, psychologist, coach, parent, or athlete, please consider the opportunity to dig into the forefront of concussion research at the 10th Annual International Concussion Summit. Engage with world-renowned researchers and speakers and enrich your understanding of this critical field to help your athletes or yourself. Spend a day and a half networking with peers against the breathtaking backdrop of Niagara Falls, Ontario.
Limited Admissions: Don't miss this chance as registrations are filling up. We still have a limited number of complimentary admissions to this event. To secure your spot, reach out to us at matthewbenedictsonelastgoal@gmail.com or call us at 716-992-9533.
Act Now - Register Early: Given the conference's sell-out history, ensure your participation by registering early. Make your mark in the journey towards comprehensive concussion solutions.
Spring 2023
Unfortunately, we hit a snag in finding an adequete venue for Dr. Chris Nowinski from the Concussion Legacy Foundation to speak to the Western New York Community this April. Dr. Nowinski is a neuroscientist, author, and co-founded the Boston University CTE Center.
October 4, 2021
One Last Goal hosted Ross Szabo, an Award-winning speaker, mental health advocate, and author of Behind Happy Faces, at four different throughout the Buffalo area. Read about this special day in “News”.
April 25th, 2021
One Last Goal has provided funding for Ross Szabo to speak in a virtual setting to the Middlebury College student-athletes. Ross will be sharing his story and will be talking about the importance of taking care of one’s mental health and speaking up when struggling.
Sunday, April 25, 2021, 7:30 PM via Zoom webinar
March 3, 2021
BEHIND the MASK
presented by The Maria Love Fund
in partnership with One Last Goal Foundation A Community Mental Health Forum featuring
Author Ross Szabo, Behind Happy Faces
Wednesday, March 3, 2021
7:00 PM via ZOOM Webinar
The heartbreaking experience of losing our son Matthew to suicide has driven us to join a campaign calling on the CDC to educate parents and others about the dangers associated with repetitive head impacts (RHI) in children.
We are reaching out to request your support by signing our letter, which outlines the critical need for increased awareness and proactive measures to address the risks associated with RHI in young athletes. Your signature can make a significant impact, and you can add your support by clicking on the following link: Support Letter
Our campaign is fueled by recent studies that underscore the severity of the issue:
1. A study examining alterations in cerebral blood flow in 14-year-old athletes revealed that changes resulting from RHI could potentially contribute to long-term adverse outcomes in contact athletes. The study also highlighted declines in verbal memory and visual motor speed in contact sport athletes, emphasizing the cognitive impact of RHI.
2. Another study , employing the "Bradford Hill criteria," established a direct link between RHI and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), particularly among children. Athletes in contact sports were found to face a 68-fold greater risk of developing CTE, emphasizing the urgency of preventive measures and a shift from "association" to "causation" in discussions.
3. A study indicated that pediatric concussion patients face an increased risk of developing mental health problems, engaging in self-harm, and requiring psychiatric hospitalization compared to those with orthopedic injuries.
4. From the BU Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) Center, a study revealed that among 152 young athletes exposed to RHI and under the age of 30 at the time of their death, 41.4% showed neuropathological evidence of CTE.
Your time and consideration in this crucial matter are greatly appreciated.
We sincerely hope you can support our campaign by adding your signature to this Support Letter.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Bill and Anne Benedict
Since the beginning, Matthew Benedict’s One Last Goal has tried to reach other by starting or continuing the conversation that “Life is Precious”. We have done this through guest speakers and partnerships with schools and colleges. Although this may not be our full-time job, we continue to strive to make a difference in others lives. If you can think of a way we can help you or you would like to help us, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. For a recap of the latest events, please click on News.
Want to work together?
We are looking to partner with other individuals, organizations, schools, and college campuses to continue to educate students about taking care of their mental health and each other. Have any ideas on what to do next?