You Are Not Alone in Your TBI Journey

501(c)(3) Nonprofit · Scottsdale, Arizona

Supporting TBI survivors, families, and caregivers in building a life of resilience, community, and hope.

Get Support Make a Donation

Hug Your Head… Love Your Helmet.

500+
Survivors Reached
300+
Families Supported
12
Support Groups
5+
Years of Service
TBI Awareness

Our Mission

Hug Your Head Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by Traumatic Brain Injury. We believe that no survivor should walk their recovery path alone. Through education, community, and advocacy, we build bridges between survivors, families, healthcare providers, and researchers. Our goal is to help TBI survivors and their families and create a supportive community. This foundation will continue to evolve with updates on TBI news, support groups, motivational speaking opportunities, and partnerships as we grow.

  • Raise TBI Awareness in schools, sports, and communities
  • Build Community among survivors and caregivers
  • Fund Research to advance TBI treatment and outcomes
Learn Our Story

"After surviving a traumatic brain injury at 19, I knew I had to turn my experience into purpose — not just for myself, but for every survivor who felt invisible in their recovery."

— Lukas Karlsson, Founder

The idea for Hug Your Head Foundation was born in 2016, when Lukas's mother, Mary Riordan-Karlsson, sat at his bedside after a motorcycle accident left him in a coma. Lukas went on to complete an intensive rehabilitation program at Barrow Neurological Institute's Center for Transitional Neuro-Rehabilitation (CTN) in Phoenix, Arizona, before returning to his studies at ASU W.P. Carey School of Business. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Lukas officially built Hug Your Head into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit — creating the supportive TBI community he once desperately needed.

Read the Full Story
Lukas Karlsson, Founder of Hug Your Head Foundation

Our Programs

From wellness classes to research funding, we provide comprehensive support for the TBI community.

🧘

Wellness Classes

Holistic wellness programs designed to support cognitive recovery, emotional regulation, and physical health for TBI survivors.

Learn More
🤝

Mentoring

One-on-one mentoring that connects TBI survivors with guides who understand the journey from personal experience.

Learn More
💬

Support Groups

Safe, judgment-free spaces where survivors and families can share, connect, and find community.

Learn More
📚

TBI Education

Educational resources and workshops that raise awareness about traumatic brain injury causes, symptoms, and recovery.

Learn More
🎤

Speaking

Motivational speaking engagements for schools, hospitals, sports teams, and corporate organizations.

Learn More
🔬

Research Funding

Supporting cutting-edge TBI research to improve treatment outcomes and quality of life for survivors.

Learn More

Make a Difference Today

Every action — big or small — moves us closer to a world where every TBI survivor has the support they need.

❤️

Donate

Your financial support directly funds programs, resources, and research for the TBI community.

Donate Now
🙋

Volunteer

Share your time and talents to help us reach more survivors and families across Arizona and beyond.

Get Involved
📣

Spread Awareness

Share our mission on social media and help us reach more people who need community and support.

Share Our Story

TBI by the Numbers

1.5M
Americans sustain a TBI each year
Making it one of the most common neurological injuries in the U.S.
#1
Leading cause of disability in adults under 40
TBI affects people in the prime of their lives, disrupting education, careers, and relationships.
∞
Community is critical to recovery
Research shows that strong community support dramatically improves long-term outcomes for TBI survivors.
Learn More About TBI

We Are Here For You

Whether you are a survivor, family member, caregiver, or advocate — our community is here to walk alongside you. You are never alone.

Get In Touch