It’s been seven years since methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) nearly took Grant Hill’s life. Since then, the Suns forward has dedicated himself to raising awareness to the deadly Staph infection through his involvement in Stop MRSA Now.
As part of the Stop MRSA Now sweepstakes, CLICK HERE for your chance to enter to win a trip to Phoenix for a meet-and-greet with Hill and to watch his Suns in action for a night. The sweepstakes ends October 29, and there’s no purchase necessary to enter.
“When I was diagnosed with an MRSA infection, it was hard to get information about the illness or even how to help prevent the spread of it,” Hill said. “This infection is becoming an issue in community settings across the country and that is why, as an athlete and a father, I am joining STOP MRSA Now to offer a playbook on prevention so that everyone can get in the game to help reduce the spread of MRSA.”
Hill is a partner in the Stop MRSA Now Coalition’s “Equip Them Well” program, an initiative to help teach families and sports teams about practical MRSA prevention steps, such as washing hands and disinfecting equipment with a bleach solution. Like so many others who have been affected by MRSA, a potentially life-threatening antibiotic resistant Staph bacteria, Hill understands the importance of prevention, both in the locker room and on the court.
Although there is still much research to be done about MRSA, STOP MRSA Now members are urging others to help reduce the spread of MRSA with the following five-point plan, from the STOP MRSA Now playbook:
1. Scrub up – Wash hands for at least 15 seconds (enough time to sing “Happy Birthday” twice), or use an alcohol-based hand rub sanitizer
2. Wipe it down – Use a bleach solution to disinfect surfaces (1 tablespoon of disinfecting bleach diluted in 1 quart of water)
3. Cover your cuts – Keep any nicks or wounds covered until healed
4. Keep to yourself – Do not share personal items
5. Use a barrier – Keep a towel or clothing between skin and shared equipment
For more information on MRSA, CLICK HERE.
To enter to meet Grant Hill, CLICK HERE.