Stop Alzheimer's Now is excited to join forces with the Pickleball community to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer's research! With research pointing toward an active lifestyle as being of major benefit to brain function and the possible lowering of risk factors, we have chosen to focus on partnering with active communities like pickleball, which has exploded popularity and participation in recent years.
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This season, we are working with the Sundance League based in Utah as a key sponsor! The league sees teams drafted by captains compete for 7 weeks leading up to the championship.
The SAN team is captained by touring pro Spencer Smith, and all pro-level players are sporting the Stop Alzheimer's Logo on their jersey sleeves. |
STOP ALZHEIMER'S NOW AMBASSADORS
Stop Alzheimer's Now is grateful to have the support of several professionals and players to help raise awareness about Alzheimer's and our organization throughout the pickleball community.
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ZANE NAVRATIL
Zane Navratil is a professional pickleball player and instructor who has been involved in the sport for nearly 10 years and is currently ranked #4 in Men's Singles according to the World Pickleball Rankings. In addition to competing in pro tournaments, he regularly teaches pickleball clinics across the country. Zane has made the sport his full-time career, and off the court he can be found spending time with his fiancée and puppy.
Alzheimer's runs in my family. It's awful to see a person that you know and love become confused, angry, and lost. You know that your loved one is in that body, but they're not the same person. I'm really glad to be able to partner up with SAN. They donate more than 90% of gross receipts directly to Alzheimer's cure research. Let's Stop Alzheimer's Now." - Zane Navratil |
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ALTAF MERCHANT
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Altaf Merchant started playing pickleball for fun, but quickly became enamored with the sport. His first US Open was in 2018, where he earned two silver medals. As a pro player, Merchant was among the top in the game, medaling in many professional tournaments including the US Open and US Nationals. He is now the #1 Senior Pro according to Senior Pro Tour rankings. In 2023, he won the US Open, Masters, and Tournament of Champions, and is still going!
Outside of pickleball, Altaf supports his community and has served on numerous boards in Owensboro, KY. His proudest achievement is being part of a group that built Merchant Centre Court, a premier tennis facility that hosts numerous tennis and pickleball tournaments throughout the year, in collaboration with the city. I left home in 1991 and looked forward to my weekly phone calls with my parents back in Mumbai. The last few years the conversations with my dad dramatically changed. After the Covid travel restrictions were lifted and I was able to go visit, it was gut wrenching to see what Alzheimer’s had done to my dad. He had an incredible mind, and it had taken that from him. One day I saw on social media some of my closest pickleball friends playing and there was a SAN sign. After that, I connected with Shaun to see how I could get involved. My personality is a fighter, and I am going to fight to find a cure for Alzheimer’s.”" - Altaf Merchant |
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JAYSON HARRIS
Jayson Harris and his wife Hannah both grew up playing all of the teams sports and then got introduced to pickleball in 2020. They owned a coffee company for a few years in Winter Park, CO and used every excuse possible to get out and play Pickleball in between work hours. In 2022, Jayson took the plunge and went full time into pickleball accepting a position as the Head Pickleball Pro at the Steamboat Tennis and Pickleball Center and compete at PPA events as much as possible.
I have seen how Alzheimer’s greatly affects and negatively alters the life, personality, and interactions of a person. It is also a really difficult experience for those caring for the ones suffering as they feel helpless in what to do for their loved ones. Stop Alzheimer's Now is a compassionate and forward-thinking organization to work with. I’m excited to be working with Stop Alzheimer’s Now to find a cure and improve the lives of those who are affected.” - Jayson Harris |
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HARTLAND JONES
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Hartland Jones is an elite athlete, powerful and precise on the pickleball court and always entertaining to watch. He is a professional pickleball player, he spearheaded the pickleball program at the Daniel Island Club (number 2 in the country for racket sports), and he leads pickleball events for underserved youth. His natural talent, unrivaled work rate, and passion for learning has propelled him to an elite level in multiple sports including Padel, Badminton, Lacrosse and Handball where he is a member of Team USA.
I’m proud to be a part of Stop Alzheimer’s Now. I watched my great aunt’s awareness slip away throughout her struggle with Alzheimer’s and the toll that it took on our family. I know first hand the roller coaster of emotions - a sense of loss and helplessness to feelings of joy and gratitude in those precious moments when you are able to connect. Pickleball is so widely beloved because it offers social connection and that is exactly what Alzheimer’s takes away.” - Hartland Jones |
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GET INVOLVED
We are hosting a series of charity fundraising events around the country with pickleball communities. If you are interested in hosting a local event, please email stopalzheimersnow@gmail.com.
If you are interested in supporting our cause and contributing directly to research you can DONATE NOW.
If you are interested in supporting our cause and contributing directly to research you can DONATE NOW.
UPCOMING EVENTS EVENTS