Brain Aneurysm Foundation

We're fundraising for the Brain Aneurysm Foundation in honor of Austen Dunn! 

It’s time for the annual fundraising event and walk for the Brain Aneurysm Foundation (BAF) in honor of my friend Austen. Thank you to everyone who has previously donated and unofficially walked in the Arlington area the past few years. Your gifts and support mean the world to her family, friends, and me. 

Becoming a parent myself this year has made it extra painful to think of a parent losing a child to such a tragedy. I truly cannot imagine. Your generosity goes directly to funding research dedicated to understanding, mitigating, and one day preventing these horrific tragedies for parents, partners, children, and other loved ones. 

Thank you for making a difference with your support!

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About Austen:

Austen was an incredible human, the kind of person that just lights up the world around her. She was a curious, intellectual person, a great friend, and an amazing artist. She was studying this idea of Communitas- when a group of people go through a shared experience and how that experience is different because it was shared, and how connections among the group may remain long after the event. (Hence, Austen’s Communitas walk).

She passed away unexpectedly from complications from a massive ruptured brain aneurysm when she was just 23. It was absolutely horrible. One week she was visiting me in grad school, the next she was gone. Her parents started hosting a walk to raise money for research since it’s one of those tricky, horrific, devastating health issues that has no warning signs. The funds are awarded in Austen’s name directly to scientists conducting the research, not just to the organization. Her parents have been awarding the funds in person.

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BAF's MISSION: To promote early detection of brain aneurysms by providing knowledge and raising awareness of the signs, symptoms and risk factors. Work with the medical communities to provide support networks for patients and families, as well as to further research that will improve patient outcomes and save lives.

Through your support, the Brain Aneurysm Foundation will be able to continue to provide support and educational materials and information to brain aneurysm patients, their families, and the medical community and to promote critical awareness of brain aneurysms which will lead to earlier detection. The Brain Aneurysm Foundation is funding essential research that will promote a better understanding of why this condition happens and identify those at risk before an aneurysm rupture occurs.