B4LLIN 4 CHADD: Basketball Player Is Raising Funds to Support CHADD
It was during his freshman year of college that Kendall Munson’s struggles in school—his difficulties with sitting still, starting or staying on task, and keeping his high energy in check—suddenly made sense. He was diagnosed with ADHD and found the information and support he needed.
Now a Portland State University Vikings basketball player, Munson is using his position to encourage basketball fans to help him raise money for CHADD.
“I decided I wanted to work with CHADD to help educate and spread awareness about ADHD,” he says. “Not only that, but as a male athlete I think the stigma around mental health struggles, like ADHD, need to be included more in the conversations we have.”
B4LLIN 4 CHADD
Munson launched his fundraising campaign, B4LLIN 4 CHADD, in November. Vikings basketball fans, or fans of Munson, can help him raise funds for CHADD during this college basketball season. His goal is at least $6,000 before the end of the Vikings’ season.
Fans who sign up pledge $1 for every two points Munson scores during a game, or they can donate any amount they would like at any point between now and the end of the basketball season. Fans who sign up will get alerts with the game summary and upcoming games and can download the Vikings’ schedule to their calendars.
“I want to use my platform for something bigger than basketball,” Munson says. “I wanted to do something more personal for me. I struggled with ADHD from a young age, but I didn’t find out until college. I thought I was the problem.”
Researching ADHD and what he could do to better manage his symptoms brought Munson to CHADD and the wealth of information on its website, along with its programs and chapters for adults and families.
“I like how you spread the word and help people and make their lives a lot easier,” he says. “I like how you reach out to people, not just to people with ADHD but to people who have to deal with people who have ADHD.”
Munson says he especially appreciates CHADD’s outreach to educators, including sports coaches. Many athletes have ADHD, and sports and physical exercise help a person to better attend for a limited amount of time after a workout.
Making it a great basketball season
As of the beginning of December, the Portland State Vikings are 6-2 in their match ups, with upcoming games on December 9 with the George Fox University Bruins and December 15 with the University of San Diego Toreros. The men’s basketball schedule is available on the Portland State Vikings website.
Kendall Munson’s brother Malcolm, a player acquisition and marketing consultant, is helping to spread the word about B4LLIN 4 CHADD. He says Kendall is striving to have games in which he shoots ten points and more to encourage donations from fans and followers who have signed up.
Malcolm Munson says that having an ADHD diagnosis and a plan to address symptoms has made a big difference in his brother’s life and outlook. He views CHADD’s programs and information as one of the ways to help other young men, like his brother, to be successful.
“We’re just happy to be able to do something to help,” he says.
How you can help
Basketball fans and CHADD supporters can sign up by following the QR code to the website, the B4LLIN 4 CHADD signup link or by visiting GoFundMe.com/f/Balling-For-CHADD. When you sign up, you’ll receive updates on Kendall Munson’s points per game and other useful information. If you don’t want to make a pledge per point, you can also make a one-time donation.
The Vikings have regular games through the beginning of March and then begin the March Big Sky Conference Tournament. You can follow them at Portland State Vikings Men’s Basketball.
Learn more about ADHD and sports:
- Interacting with Your Child’s Sport Coach: How You Can Communicate Your Child’s Needs
- What’s Up with Athletes and ADHD?
- Including Exercise with Behavioral Interventions Can Increase Benefits
- Don’t Stop the Movement!
- Summer Camps: Like Horses for Courses
- Is Therapy Using Horses Effective for ADHD?
- Green Time for ADHD
- Does Exercise Improve ADHD and Related Challenges?