Don Hooton’s Mission: Protecting Youth from Steroids
by Kristin Ciccarelli
When not traveling to raise awareness about the dangers of Appearance and Performance Enhancing Drugs (APEDs), Don Hooton relishes his brief commute to his home office with a cup of coffee in hand. As the founder of the Taylor Hooton Foundation (THF)—established in memory of his cherished son who tragically passed away at age 17 in 2003 due to steroid use—he believes his most valuable efforts occur outside the office.
Following Taylor’s death, Don and his wife Gwen were astonished to discover that many of their son’s peers were also involved with steroids. “We thought if we were unaware, many other parents likely were too,” he reflects. His journey began with local outreach, and just six weeks post-tragedy, he addressed more than 600 students at Plano West High School. What started as a grieving father’s message to Taylor’s classmates quickly escalated into a national movement. A reporter from the Dallas Morning News covered the event, leading to an article in the New York Times, and ultimately, a feature on Sixty Minutes. “It became clear that this issue wasn’t confined to North Texas; we had stumbled upon a national information vacuum,” he notes.
Since then, Don and the THF have achieved remarkable progress, participating in three Congressional hearings and organizing numerous fundraising events, including an annual golf tournament. The foundation has partnered with Major League Baseball to inform youth nationwide. Two years ago, THF introduced the “All Me League,” a program encouraging professional baseball players to promote “clean” play, thereby serving as positive role models. Within a year, the initiative featured at least one player from all 30 MLB teams.
Currently, the danger of APEDs extends beyond athletic arenas; in an age preoccupied with image, many youth pursue drastic measures to distinguish themselves. “Our primary challenge has been convincing people of the pervasive nature of this issue,” Don observes. “Make no mistake; it exists, and it’s present in your child’s school.”
The average age for initiating anabolic steroid use is 15, while many begin taking unregulated dietary supplements—including protein shakes, creatine powders, and energy drinks—as young as 10 and a half years old. Through diligent research, Don has discovered that between 20-25% of over-the-counter dietary supplements may contain anabolic steroids. “Without testing, there’s really no way to know what’s being consumed,” he warns. “Children must be educated about exactly what they are putting into their bodies.”
Despite 13 dedicated years of advocacy, for Don Hooton, this is merely the beginning. The THF is collaborating with the American Academy of Pediatrics and leading medical professionals to create standardized training materials that will help doctors effectively recognize and diagnose steroid use among adolescents. This initiative is set to culminate in a national conference in spring 2017, which will demand funding in the range of $200-$300 million. While Don admits these figures are daunting, he states, “Our aim is to persist in developing research and solutions for the APED crisis. If we can achieve this, it will be our greatest accomplishment.”
In recognition of his groundbreaking efforts regarding youth steroid use and his unwavering dedication following the loss of his son, we are honored to present Don Hooton with our Very Inspiring Parent (VIP) Award.
