Fall 2026 Messages & Schedule

Fentanyl awareness campaign continues; new measles prevention messages

As the PIAA's Healthy Living Partner, the POMA Foundation is aligning our messaging with osteopathic tenets, particularly prevention and whole-person health promotion. Our fentanyl awareness campaign continues but, given that Pennsylvania is the epi-center of the U.S. measles outbreak, we've added measles prevention. Our fall campaign promotes informed choices, supports the body’s ability to maintain health, and recognizes that individual well-being is connected to family, school, and community life.

PROTECT YOUR TEAM. PROTECT YOUR FANS.
On the field or in the stands, everyone plays a part in preventing measles.
Make sure your MMR—your measles, mumps, and rubella—vaccination is up to date.
Unsure? Ask your physician to check your vaccination record.
The Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association Foundation urges you to talk about vaccines with your physician.

THEY LOOK UP TO YOU. HELP PROTECT THEM.
Babies in the stands—or waiting at home—may be too young for routine measles vaccination.
Help protect your youngest fans by making sure your MMR—your measles, mumps, and rubella—vaccination is up to date.
Check your vaccination record. Ask your physician if you’re protected.
The Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association Foundation urges you to talk about vaccines with your physician.

We aim to have an on-site presence at 4 priority events this fall: 

• Cross country (6 races 11/7 @ Big Spring XC course, Newville)
• Soccer (8 games 11/20-11/21 @ FNB stadium, Pgh)
• Field hockey (3 games 11/21 @ CV, Mechanicsburg)
• Football (6 games 12/10 – 12/12 @ CV, Mechanicsburg)

PIAA gives us access to coaches and athletic directors at 784 high schools, 15,000+ officials, 335,000 student athletes, and 750,000 parents, fans, and customers.  Events are also broadcasted into 3.5 million homes through the Pennsylvania Cable Network.

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Fentanyl Campaign Background

The POMA Foundation unveiled its fentanyl awareness campaign March 5, 2026, for 2,728 student athletes and 89,500 spectators at Pennsylvania’s statewide wrestling, swimming, and basketball championship games held throughout March.

The campaign is part of POMA’s Healthy Lifestyle partnership with the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA), which manages interscholastic athletic competitions statewide and has its own opioid awareness campaign.

POMA member Elizabeth Zona, DO, is the lead physician on the campaign. She has operated a fentanyl awareness campaign in western Pennsylvania with assistance from the POMA Foundation’s Community Enhancing Grant program. Dr. Zona is a member of the advisory board for Song for Charlie, which provided artwork and videos.