Guest post from Christine J. Buckley
Executive Director, Brain Aneurysm Foundation
The Brain Aneurysm Foundation (BAF) was the first foundation of its kind — and continues to be the premier foundation in the world, solely dedicated to providing critical awareness, education, support and research funding to reduce the incidence of brain aneurysm ruptures. Established in 1994, the BAF has grown tremendously since its inception. Part of the growth is due to the relationships that have been fostered within the neurological and neurosurgical communities, primarily through the interactions at the annual meetings of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS).
The foundation prides itself on its ability to provide patient educational materials that the neuro and endovascular surgeons use to discuss treatment with their patients, as well as upon discharge for recovery information. Additionally, the BAF also works with the medical experts to provide patient based webinars on brain aneurysm facts, treatments, recovery and up to date research.
Through the annual meetings of the AANS and CNS, the BAF has been able to connect with the doctors to see what their needs are for the aneurysm patient. One very successful tool the BAF has developed to help the doctors provide a continuum of care for their patients and families is support groups. Currently there are close to 100 support groups across the US and Canada and we are always looking to help start new groups. If you do not see a support group in your area and would be interested in starting one, please email: office@bafound.org.
September is Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month, an initiative established by the Brain Aneurysm Foundation in 2007. Since starting this effort, the foundation has been urging lawmakers on Capitol Hill to make this a national designation.
Earlier this year, Reps. Pat Tiberi (R-Ohio) and Richard Neal (D-Mass.) introduced a resolution, H. Res. 259, which would designate September 2015 as “National Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month.” A similar resolution, S. Res. 176, was introduced by Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.).
Throughout the month of September, we are encouraging individuals to urge their elected officials to co-sponsor this initiative. Click here, to help us tell Congress to put brain aneurysm awareness on the map.
Also, through the BAF initiatives on Capitol Hill we are working with the law firm of Squire, Patton, and Boggs to secure more funding for brain aneurysm research via the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), another possible avenues. To date the brain aneurysm foundation is the largest private funder of brain aneurysm research. To this end, the BAF recently awarded $265,000 in research funding to 13 different projects. It is a primary objective of the BAF to continue to grow the amount of funding for research. If you are interested in applying for a grant, click here.
The Brain Aneurysm Foundation is here as a resource to neurosurgeons and their patients. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
