Two weeks ago at the NBA All-Star Pitch Competition Finals at the Kia Forum, Thimble delivered its biggest pitch yet and took home a $25,000 win.
It was a moment of celebration for our team and our mission. More than anything, it was an opportunity to share why we believe needle care deserves more attention, more compassion, and more innovation.
The real win was bigger than the prize.
On that stage, we named a problem that affects 63% of people worldwide: needle fear. For too long, pain and anxiety around needles have been treated as inevitable. It's something patients are expected to tolerate quietly. Today, that expectation is changing. We are no longer willing to accept unnecessary pain as part of routine care.
We believe we’re at a pivotal moment in healthcare. Compassionate care isn’t a luxury — it’s the future. And that future includes better preparation, better recovery, and better experiences for every patient facing a needle procedure.
We’re especially proud that the game of basketball (a sport near and dear to our founder's heart) helped create this opportunity to elevate awareness around needle fear and patient comfort.
We’re grateful to the National Basketball Association, the NBA Foundation, and the Los Angeles Clippers for the platform and for supporting innovation that puts patients first.
Read more: https://www.nba.com/news/nba-foundations-annual-all-star-pitch-competition-finals-takes-place-in-los-angeles