Brain Aneurysm Foundation

I'm fundraising for the Brain Aneurysm Foundation! 

I am SO young. I have so much life left to live. Two little people who still need me. So many birthdays, races, vacations, ordinary Tuesdays, and moments I haven’t even gotten to yet.

And somehow, completely by chance, I found out that I have a brain aneurysm.

Mine is small. It is not considered life-threatening right now, and my doctors have told me to live my life normally. I’ll have a procedure once a year to monitor it and watch for any growth or changes.

And I am incredibly grateful for that.

But I also can’t stop thinking about the fact that I only know it’s there because I happened to have imaging done for something completely unrelated.

I didn’t know to look for it. I didn’t have symptoms telling me it was there. I simply got lucky enough to find out before it ever became an emergency.

That has made the mission of the Brain Aneurysm Foundation feel incredibly personal to me.

Their work toward awareness, research and early detection is about giving people more information and, hopefully, more opportunities to find these things before they become life-altering emergencies.

And I keep thinking about what that could mean.

What if we knew more about who is at risk? What if research gave doctors better ways to identify who should be screened? What if more people had the opportunity I had? To find out while they are still living their normal life, rather than finding out because something catastrophic happened?

I know screening isn’t as simple as telling everyone to get a scan. There are guidelines, risks, costs and so much we still don’t know.

But I also know what it feels like to be 32 years old and suddenly learn that something I never knew existed is living inside my brain.

Right now, I get to watch it.

I get to have my yearly imaging. I get to talk to my doctors. I get to keep living my life without this being considered a threat to me.

And I am so grateful that my story, at least right now, is one of finding it by chance.

What I hope for is a future where finding an aneurysm doesn’t have to be a matter of chance, and where we have better ways of knowing who is at risk, finding them earlier, and understanding when intervention can actually prevent a rupture.

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. 

Thank you for making a difference with your support!