About us

Our Mission

A family foundation helping families

Founded in 2018 by NASCAR Driver Ryan Blaney and his family, the Ryan Blaney Family Foundationis a registered 501(c)3 based in North Carolina. The Ryan Blaney Family Foundation is dedicated to raising brain health awareness and resources to support people and families who are dealing with an Alzheimer’s disease or concussion diagnosis.

The Blaney Family

Our story

As a family, brain health, specifically Alzheimer’s disease and concussions, are causes that are near and dear to our hearts. Our family has experienced first-hand the emotional, physical and financial challenges that accompany these brain health issues.

Causes that are near & dear to our hearts

and oldest son, Dave

The beginning

The blaney family

We lost our father and grandfather, Lou Blaney, to Alzheimer’s disease when he was just 69 years old. It is a horribly difficult disease for both the person and family it affects. When we felt lost and did not know where to get the answers we needed, it was our local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association that provided us not only with accurate and useful information, but with compassionate support for the whole family.

We also saw two close family members sustain severe concussions – one a racing accident and one a work-related accident. Both experienced symptoms that greatly disrupted their daily lives and had them wondering if they would ever be able to return to work and the things they loved to do. It was then that the world-renowned University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UMPC) Sports Concussion Program was brought to our attention and both family members received expert treatment and experienced full recovery within a month.

Looking ahead

Our Future

It is because of these personal experiences that The Ryan Blaney Family Foundation was founded. Not only do we want to raise funds to help the people, families, and caregivers who deal with Alzheimer’s disease and concussion, but we also want to raise awareness for these brain health issues that are not often talked about. We want to help prevent these brain health issues from occurring instead of only treating them after they have occurred.

With your help, we can bring the awareness and funds necessary to help people, families, and caregivers dealing with an Alzheimer’s disease or concussion diagnosis, as well as educate the public on how to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and concussions in their own lives.

Memories Matter

How We Help

Our goal is to offer help and hope to those dealing with an Alzheimer’s or concussion diagnosis, their families, and caretakers by providing resources and programs that deliver up-to-date information, support, one-on-one interaction, and healing. In addition to our own in-house programs, we work closely with the Alzheimer’s Association to help provide online and in person support groups in local communities, a 24/7 Hotline, and research to find a cure.

We also have a close relationship with the world-renowned University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Sports Medicine Concussion Clinic where our “Fund-A-Fellow” program allows fellows to complete comprehensive training at UPMC in Pittsburgh with the goal of taking their training to practices throughout the country to make expert concussion treatment available to more people.