2025 Pittsburgh Run/Walk

post op (Dec 24)
post op (Dec 24)

Ashley Mellon

Hi! We’re fundraising for the Brain Aneurysm Foundation! 

In August 2024, Ashley unexpectedly learned that she had an unruptured brain aneurysm. The last few months have been a whirlwind. This is her story.

First off and most importantly, I would like to thank my doctors, my husband, my family & friends for their unwavering support during the most stressful time of my life. I’m lucky to have caught this early and been given the opportunity to seek preventative treatment. Many people aren’t given that opportunity and often find out too late. 

I’m personally thankful for the Brain Aneurysm Foundation for being a resource during scary times. The work they do and the community they provide is important and makes a difference. Often funding from the Brain Aneurysm Foundation has been utilized as seed money for grants that are then funded by the National Institutes of Health to work on early / conceptive ideas which can sometimes turn into real techniques. The device and treatment I was offered didn’t exist 14 years ago. This option, and more importantly, easier access / more routine screening is what can and does save lives. 

While I’m on the other side of a huge step like surgery, there is still a ways to go in terms of postoperative appointments to monitor progress of treatment. It is a journey and experience that will be with me for a lifetime. I hope to raise awareness about this type of disease, as it is much more common that I ever knew. Lastly, I encourage you to join me on August 17th for the BAF run/walk in Pittsburgh, to donate, or even better BOTH. 

- Ashley 


OUR 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. 

Thank you for making a difference with your support! 

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