WHY BECOME PART OF A JNF SUPPORT GROUP

Support is a vital part of recovery and many of America’s hospitals do not offer ongoing support and education after a patient is dismissed or following aneurysm/AVM/SAH discovery. This means that thousands of individuals are left with unanswered questions, no support, guidance or continued care outside of the basics allowed through their insurance. It is our goal to bridge the gap and encourage collaboration, resulting in a more comprehensive support program for survivors and their families. Survivors turn to others with similar issues in attempt to deal with their feelings and our groups allow for this to happen.

TJNF Support Groups provide many and varied benefits, including mutual support, understanding and acceptance, a sounding board, non-judgmental listening, an information source, validation of feelings, role modeling and much more. Our groups offer a safe haven for patients, families, friends and caretakers to be among others in similar situations where they can share their fears, challenges, successes and failures in an atmosphere where they are loved and accepted by all. A few highlights of our support group program include:

*Monthly meetings with a featured guest speaker

*Attendance by physicians and other healthcare professionals, discussing brain aneurysm topics

*Open question/answer sessions

*Participant/family-caregiver breakout groups so that they can privately share stories and challenges

*24 hour one-on-one patient advocacy

Our meetings address issues such as depression, social reintegration, coping with disabilities, nutritional brainpower, exercising your brain and much more. TJNF empowers members by offering information and emotional support, which is monumental in promoting good health and an improved quality of life. The Joe Niekro support groups can play a vital role for both survivor and family members by providing emotional and moral support. Members of support groups receive help by learning new coping strategies, relating personal experiences, obtaining information from health professionals and establishing social networks. TJNF Support groups help others realize that recovery is possible and designed to motivate attendees to follow wellness plans and make a difference in the community while creating a forum of mutual acceptance, understanding and self –discovery.

For more information about our support groups, contact Kimberly@joeniekrofoundation.org.

 

 

© The Joe Niekro Foundation

For more information, please visit our website – http://www.joeniekrofoundation.org

For online support, please visit these groups, sponsored by The Joe Niekro Foundation

The Brain Aneurysm/AVM Support Group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/aneurysmavm/

Parents of Brain Aneurysm/AVM Children Support Group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/ParentsBAAVM/

JNF AWARDS THREE RESEARCH GRANTS

The Joe Niekro Foundation recently awarded three research grants. The first; a $10,000 research grant has been given to Dr. David Miller of Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville.  This grant will help fund Dr. Miller’s current study “Next Generation Sequencing of a Whole Human Genome.” The goal of this study is to identify the genes underlying the risk of intracranial aneurysm.  Dr. Miller specializes in Endovascular treatment (minimally invasive surgical treatment through the vessels) of cerebral aneurysms, Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), carotid and vertebral artery stenosis, and other vascular problems associated with the head and neck. Also specializes in minimally invasive treatment for spinal fractures and other diseases of the spine. “We are thrilled to be able to support a study that could be instrumental in aneurysm detection in the future and look forward to the outcome,” states foundation president, Natalie Niekro.

The second grant of $10,000 goes to The Houston Methodist Neurological Institute, Department of Neurosurgery for the project: Microcirculation and Brain Injury Following Subarachnoid Hemorrhage. The study, led by Dr. Gavin Britz will explore whether subarachnoid blood released by the penetration of the Willis circle artery penetrates paravascular space in the hippocampus (small region of the brain that forms part of the limbic system and is primarily associated with memory and spatial  navigation) and modify neurovascular coupling and astrocyte-induced responses.  “We are very excited to help support Dr. Britz’ study in this critical area of research,” states foundation Executive Director, Melissa Herklotz.

The third grant goes to The Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery Foundation (SNIS) in the amount of $10,000.  In honor of Joe Niekro, SNIS has named this grant The Joe Niekro Research Grant.  Each year, one research study will be selected as the grant recipient, which will help fund endovascular research of brain aneurysms, AVM’s and/or hemorrhagic stroke.   “The foundation has had a great partnership with SNIS and the SNIS Foundation for many years and we are honored to award this grant to such a phenomenal organization that is making huge headway in the area of endovascular research.  It is with great pleasure that SNIS Foundation is the recipient of these funds and we look forward to our strong continuing partnership for many years to come,” states Natalie Niekro.

The Joe Niekro Foundation is so excited to support these research projects and looks forward to sharing these results with you in the future.

A Year of Reflection and Thanks!

Tonight we say goodbye to 2013 and welcome a new year of adventure, excitement, challenges, happiness and growth.  Before the ball drops, we wanted to take a few moments to thank all those that helped make this year our best yet.

To our amazing Board of Directors –   Your commitment and dedication to our mission is undeniable and we are truly blessed to have each and every one of you helping bring us to greatness.  The countless hours and voluntary time is more than exceptional and you are all awesome!

To our outstanding Medical Advisory Board – Your willingness to offer support to patients, families and individuals looking for answers is greatly appreciated.  Having each and every one of you on our advisory board will only continue to validate the knowledge and backing we have among us.

To our Patient Advocate Committee – There are no words to describe my appreciation for what you have developed and are continuing to grow across the globe.  Your passion and commitment is genuine and we are so lucky to have you in our corner.  Your empathy for survivors and families warms the heart and we thank you for helping us reach those looking for support, guidance and a friend to help them in their road of recovery.

To our Facebook Admins – What you have done with our Aneurysm/AVM Facebook Support Page and our Parents of Brain Aneurysm/AVM Children’s Support Page is magnificent.  It is so exciting to watch the daily growth of our groups and see the bonds forming among all those who have finally found a group they can call “home.”

To our Support Group Leaders – Thank you for your commitment to lead our monthly support group chapter meetings.  Your continued passion to help others and bring people together who need support is vital to our growth and outreach.

To our Fans – You have exceeded our expectations of growth and we thank you for continuing to follow us, share our comments with others and support what we are doing.

To our Survivors – You are the reason we are here!  We fight each day to make a difference and offer the support that is critical to your recovery.  Your perserverance is infectious and we applaud you for your courage, strength and dedication.

To our Partners – Thank you for having faith in our mission.  The relationships we have formed through the years are critical and we are so grateful for your collaborative efforts in helping us reach the masses.

To our Supporters – Without you, none of this is possible.  Thank you for your continued support and for recognizing the importance of brain aneurysm research and awareness.  Your commitment to our cause allows us to reach more people, fund more research, provide daily support and truly make a difference.

To everyone – THANK YOU FOR MAKING THE JOE NIEKRO FOUNDATION WHAT IT HAS BECOME!  2014 is going to be one amazing year, so look out and get ready!

We wish all of you a very safe and Happy New Year and a blessed 2014.

Another Great Evening Pitched For LIFE

Joe Niekro Medical Humanitarian of the Year, Dr. Richard Klucznik with son Jake and JNF Founder, Natalie Niekro

The Joe Niekro Foundation hosted the 4th Annual Knuckle Ball…A Pitch for Life on September 7th at Hotel Zsa Zsa in Houston, TX.  Natalie Niekro, chair of the black tie gala, welcomed more than 350 supporters and athletes, to honor her father, former Houston Astros pitcher, Joe Niekro.

The Joe Niekro Foundation was established after Niekro’s tragic and sudden death in 2006 from a brain aneurysm. The foundation  funds aneurysm research, treatment and awareness. Because of Niekro’s love for the Houston Astros and the city of Houston, The Knuckle Ball is held in the city that gave the Niekro family their greatest memories.  Not only is Houston the chosen city for this event, but the foundation made sure that the September date had an equally strong connection to the cause.  You see, September is nationally recognized as Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month and The Joe Niekro Foundation used this as an additional platform to educate those attendees on the importance of early detection, research and awareness of these silent killers.

Host of Great Day Houston and KHOU broadcaster, Deborah Duncan, was the evening’s emcee.  She shocked the crowd with her story of survival and her passion for this cause, informing all of her life changing event in 1997 when she  experienced a ruptured brain aneurysm.  You could hear a pin drop as she told her story of how she fought back and promised herself that if she made it through, that meant she had more to do.  Her more to do was philanthropy and that is exactly what she has done!

There was lively bidding during the silent auction followed by a dinner and a live auction. The Joe Niekro Medical Humanitarian of the Year Award recognized Dr. Richard P. Klucznik, Associate Professor of Radiology and Director of Interventional Neuroradiology at The Methodist Neurological Institute in Houston, for his ongoing research advancements and treatment studies of cerebral aneurysms.

Guests mingled with some of sports greatest legends throughout the evening, including:

Dave Bergman – MLB 1st Baseman – New York Yankees, Houston Astros, SF Giants and Detroit Tigers

Larry Dierker – MLB Pitcher – Houston Colt .45’s/Astros and St. Louis Cardinals (1964-1977), MLB  Manager (1997-2001) Houston Astros

Jose Cruz – MLB Outfielder – St. Louis Cardinals (1970-74), Houston Astros (1975-87) and New York Yankees (1988), MLB Coach – Houston Astros, Special Assistant to the General Manager for the Houston Astros (2009-present)

John Egan – NBA Point Guard – Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks, Baltimore Bullets, LA Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Houston Rockets (1961-1972), NBA Coach – Houston Rockets (1973-1976)

Jim Foor – MLB Pitcher – Detroit Tigers, Pittsburgh Pirates (1971-1973)

Alphonso Roundtree – NFL Defensive Back  – Miami Dolphins (2003-2005)

Scipio Spinks – MLB Pitcher – Houston Astros and St. Louis Cardinals (1969-1973)

As many as one in 50 Americans will develop a cerebral aneurysm; 10 to 15 percent of these individuals will die before reaching the hospital. More than 50 percent will die within the first 30 days after rupture. Of those who survive, more than half suffer permanent neurological deficit. Funds are used to support ongoing research, educate the public about brain aneurysms, and to develop awareness programs and educational materials for hospitals, clinics, and other institutions nationwide. For more info, visit www.joeniekrofoundation.org.

Click here to see the 4th Annual Knuckle Ball photo gallery!

Anger and Frustration – Part 2 of The Grieving Process

You will not be punished for your anger, you will be punished by your anger. ~Buddha

Speak when you are angry and you will make the best speech you will ever regret.  ~Ambrose Bierce

Anger, if not restrained, is frequently more hurtful to us than the injury that provokes it. ~ Lucius Annaeus Seneca

After a brain aneurysm/AVM, survivors and family members say one of the most difficult emotions to handle is anger and frustration.  Most survivors would describe themselves as having a personality change or a lack of impulse control due to anger.  Anger will weaken your ability to solve problems effectively, handle changes, make good decisions and get along with others. Many survivors state they feel angry more often, get angry more quickly, and have more issues controlling their anger than they did before the brain aneurysm/AVM.  People are willing to accept that a head injury can change your thoughts and memories, but have difficulty understanding that it also changes your emotions.

There are several reasons why survivors may have difficulty managing anger effectively.  Some develop impulsive anger as a direct effect of the damage to the frontal lobe of the brain.  In other words, the parts of the brain that normally inhibit anger feelings and behavior have been damaged and do not do their jobs well.  Rage, fear and sexual feelings all come from the middle section of our brain, which is considered to be the primitive emotional area.  The frontal lobes of the brain help plan and control behavior and are involved in saying “NO”.  So the frontal lobes and the primitive parts of the brain act like a balance scale to one another.  If the “NO” part of the system isn’t working well, the primitive functions tend to be more prominent. This means the threshold to anger is much lower and becomes aroused easily or intensely.  It is important to understand that the survivor has lost some degree of control over emotional responses.

Other reasons survivors might have a difficult time handling anger is due to the many issues that arise after having a brain aneurysm or AVM.  Frustrations start to develop when realization sets in about capabilities/disabilities, loss of a job, financial problems, the loss of friendships, the inability to participate in activities once previously enjoyed and the overall control of their life.  It is not uncommon for a survivor to express anger in an attempt to regain control over their lives.  Every time a person encounters a reminder of the things that have been lost and feels the impact of that loss as a result of the injury, it is natural for them to become upset, angry, resentful, distressed or all these emotions. After having a brain aneurysm/AVM, many survivors encounter a number of problems they do not know how to resolve, leaving them with feelings of hopelessness.  Survivors often say their family members and friends don’t understand them or the circumstances they are experiencing.   As a result, they tend to demonstrate their anger in the following ways:

Irritability

Hostility

Yelling

Cursing

Threatening or aggressive behavior towards others

Physical harm to themselves or others

Have you ever noticed that the word “anger” sits inside the word “danger”?  Anger can be dangerous if not released in a healthy way.  In fact, anger can:

• Cause you to harm yourself or others physically and/or emotionally
• Increase the risk for heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke
• Generate relationship problems and make people afraid of you
• Contribute to feelings of depression, loneliness and/or isolation
• Create stress headaches, stomach issues and/or back pain.
• Reduce your ability to make good decisions
• Add to your list of problems

Your best bet is to begin to recognize when and why you are getting angry to avoid losing your temper. Learning to manage anger and frustration can enhance emotional well-being and lead to a healthier, happier life.  By recognizing when anger is setting in or what is causing the anger, you can find constructive ways to channel it.  I’ve developed a “SIMPLE” technique as a way to express that anger in a healthy manor.

SIMPLE Technique for Expressing Anger Constructively:

Stick to the issue

Identify the source of anger

Make concessions

Plan on avoiding situations where there is high risk of aggravation

Leave the situation, if possible

Explain to another person how they can be of help to solve the problem

After trying the SIMPLE technique, ask yourself these questions :

• Did I perceive the problem accurately?
• Did I choose the right time and place?
• Did I avoid exaggeration?
• Did I stick to the issue?
• Did I focus on the incident itself, rather than a personal attack?
  

Recognize that you have the power to control your emotions.  Speak calmly and Take a time out if needed.  Doing these SIMPLE things will make the biggest difference in your internal anger and how that is represented on the outside.

It is part of human nature to grieve when we lose something, not just when someone passes away, but when we suffer an illness or life altering injury. We try and find reasons for our losses.   One part of a grief reaction is anger and finding a handy target to blame for our losses.   Survivors can work through this stage and cope with anger more effectively by talking out their feelings to a trusted and understanding individual.  Anger is a common issue following a brain aneurysm/AVM.  Unfortunately, frustrations are a reality of life, but how you decide to handle them can make all the difference.  I believe survivors have the ability to choose their path to recovery, so I ask you this:

Are you going to let this condition control you???

OR

Are you going to control your condition???

Please take a few moments to visit The Joe Niekro Foundation Online Support Form.

Connect with survivors, families and caregivers 24/7!!!!

Understanding the Grieving Process

There are a number of very common emotional stages that people with a brain aneurysm/AVM go through. It is important to remember that different survivors react differently to the grief over the loss of the person they once were and knew before the brain aneurysm/AVM. There is often a grieving process a survivor will go through and there are a number of very common emotional phases attached to the grieving process. The process is often experienced in defined stages:

Denial
Anger and Frustration
Depression/ Withdrawal
Acceptance

Depending on where you are in the recovery process it will influence how you react or respond to situations. Such as, if you are currently in the state of denial, you are not going to easily accept the doctor not permitting you to drive. The person in denial says there’s nothing wrong, even when directly confronted by family members or trained medical staff. Through your denial, you inadvertently hinder progress. If you are angry or frustrated, it is very difficult for you to deal with the littlest of things and find yourself easily aggravated or blowing up often. It is difficult to reach the level of “acceptance”.  Acceptance only comes when you are ready and open for it. It cannot be forced and you will come to your own peace with what has happened to you in your own time. Being able to accept puts you on a better road to recovery.

Over the next several weeks, we will explore these four phases, beginning with the first – DENIAL.

DENIAL

The previous Topic of Discussion introduced the grieving process in which all brain aneurysm/AVM survivors go through.  It is important to remember that each survivor grieves differently to the loss of the person they once were and knew before the brain aneurysm/AVM. Survivors won’t necessarily experience all of the emotions (Denial, Anger and Frustration, Depression/ Withdrawal, Acceptance); nor will they experience the emotions in exact order listed. However, all survivors whether you had a rupture or not will experience at least 1 or 2 of these emotional stages.

“It’s not denial. I’m just selective about the reality I accept.”
-Bill Watterson

“It takes a lot of courage to face up to things you can’t do because we feed ourselves so much denial.”
-Zoe Saldana

“A man who denies his past is a man who truly denies himself a future, for he refuses to know himself, and to deny knowledge of oneself is to stumble through life as handicapped as the blind mute.”
― Tobsha Learner, The Witch of Cologne

“I protect myself by refusing to know myself.”
― Floriano Martins

Denial is often a survival technique used by brain aneurysm/AVM survivors when the reality of their situation cannot be accepted; they have not come to terms with what has been lost.  Change in one’s life can stir up fear, anxiety or uncertainty and people often respond to such changes with the defense of denial. Denial is the wall a person builds for a protective barrier, but all it does is create an alternate reality for which only one person can exist. There are two types of denial a survivor could experience.  The first type of denial is an emotional one in which something so horrible or frightening has occurred and a person is not willing to deal with it.  Often you will hear, “I’m fine” or “There’s nothing wrong with me.”  It is much easier for a survivor to minimize or deny the severity of having a brain aneurysm/AVM rather than learn compensatory strategies or to work towards a new normal.  It is not unusual for survivors to remain in denial their entire lives.  The second type of denial comes from the physical changes to the brain due to an injury (bleeding, bruising or swelling).  The brain refuses to, or cannot process denial or be cognitively aware of this type of emotion.   Often the medical system will unknowingly support denial.  Too frequently, doctors will say, “Just go home and live your life, you’ll be fine.”  For many survivors, they don’t get better and start to question why they’re not back to their normal selves.  They have these odd events and they keep rationalizing them away. Such as forgetting their best friend’s name or putting the ice cream in the refrigerator instead of the freezer.  It is not uncommon for a driver’s license to be revoked by medical staff due to a brain injury and the survivor argues, “I’m fine to drive.”

Defenses survivors will use for denial:

Rationalizing
Intellectualizing
Minimizing
Analyzing
Generalizing
Explaining
Bargaining
Projecting
Comparing
Withdrawing
Silence
Joking
Smiling & Laughing
Changing the Subject
Arguing
Blaming
Justifying

The difficulty with denial is that most are unaware that they are in denial.  Getting past denial requires more than admitting to the problem; survivors have to accept their new life fully.  Accepting changes in oneself after a brain aneurysm/AVM can be incredibly difficult because most are afraid people will view their deficits as unintelligent or stupid.  Working through denial is not about admitting to a problem; instead it is about deciding to confront the problem.

It isn’t easy to tell if denial is holding you back, but if you feel stuck or if someone you trust has suggested that you are in denial, you might try:

• Ask yourself what you fear
• Think about the potential negative consequences of not taking action
• Allow yourself to express your fears and emotions
• Try to identify irrational beliefs about your situation
• Journal about your experience
• Open up to a trusted friend or loved one
• Participate in a support group
• Speak to a mental health provider

By fully accepting your life as an aneurysm/AVM survivor, your deficits and/or your disabilities, you can make your life work.  Know that life is so much better once you confront a situation rather than to pretend it doesn’t exist. Denial can sabotage any progress towards the start of your new life as a brain aneurysm/AVM survivor. Running from your grief only delays the pain and sorrow you need to experience to be able to move on and towards healing.  Movement through denial takes lots of time and willingness, but, when you succeed, it represents a beautiful achievement and a chance to move forward in your life.

Please feel free to repost, but credit must be given to The Brain Aneurysm/AVM Support Group Sponsored by The Joe Niekro Foundation and Kimmothy Lane.

Click here to become part of The Joe Niekro Foundation online forum.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of The Grieving Process.

LIVING WITH A BROKEN BRAIN

I just returned from our monthly Phoenix Support Group meeting and felt compelled to write about the movie we watched called Living with a Broken Brain.  It is a Documentary in which actress Maryam d’Abo (you may remember her as one of James Bond’s  007 Girls), who suffered a brain haemorrhage in 2007, guides you through her personal journey of recovery and meets other survivors of brain injuries.

“I had struggled to describe to my husband and family how I had felt after my stroke which made it difficult for them to understand and relate to how I was feeling and the emotions I was going through. They say that only those that experience similar situations can really relate so it was like a breath of fresh air to watch this film and find not just one but a number of people that had felt the same as I had done. At the time you feel you are in a cage, clawing at the sides to get out and screaming inside in silence because you can’t find the words,” says D’Abo in the film.

Her experience inspired this film to be made with her husband filmmaker Hugh Hudson who witnessed her illness . Maryam leads us on a personal journey of recovery, giving hope to those who are isolated by their condition. The film is about the sufferings and the struggles of the brain injured. Many first-hand stories celebrate man’s life force and his will to survive and bring awareness of an unpredictable condition that is on the rise, an illness that is not seen therefore often misunderstood. The original film soundtrack is written by Vangelis and Mark Knopfler and amongst the many survivors appearing in the documentary are Quincy Jones – music producer, Pat Martino – jazz guitarist, James Fox -novelist , Robert Mccrum – literary editor of the London Observer. Supported by neurosurgeons, neurologists, neuro-psychologists who give their testimony and knowledge.

The film concerns all human beings, dealing with the fragility of the extraordinary brain of which we know surprisingly little.

I recommend families of all stroke, aneurysm and AVM victims spend one hour watching this incredible profound story.  Finally finding the words to describe something you have felt and then knowing you are not alone in feeling it is incredibly empowering.

I am thankful we had the opportunity to watch this amazing film and thank all those that attended for their continued support, commitment and passion to our cause.

GET LUCKY WITH THE JOE NIEKRO FOUNDATION DURING BRAIN ANEURYSM AWARENESS MONTH

September has been declared as Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month and to help bring awareness to the importance of early detection, The Joe Niekro Foundation has launched a national initiative called Wanna Get Lucky?.  This catchy slogan has been printed on thousands of t-shirts and being promoted to various communities across the country.  You can spread the word by helping us promote Wanna Get Lucky? The more awareness we can bring to this silent killer, the more success we can have in preventing them.  1 in 15 people in the US will develop a brain aneurysm and 50% of ruptured aneurysm victims will die within minutes.  Bringing aneurysm awareness to the public is sparse and survivors of brain aneurysms are largely a quiet bunch. So we’re motivated to get the word out that “the worst headache of your life” can be a brain aneurysm. In doing this, we will educate the next adult generation to go to the emergency room ASAP when they have “the worst headache of their lives,” or be aware that aneurysms are hereditary so if they have a family history, they need to “Get Scanned.”

Shirts can be purchased online at http://www.joeniekrofoundation.org/wannagetlucky and available in Men’s and Ladies tees, Women’s cap sleeve, v-neck and women’s tank tops. Colors include black, red, navy and pink.  Prices are $14.95 for Men’s and $16.95 for women’s (price includes shipping) and all proceeds benefit aneurysm research, treatment and education.

The Joe Niekro Foundation was named in honor of Joe Niekro, a former 22 year veteran of the major leagues and one of the greatest knuckleball pitchers of all time, who lost his life suddenly to an undiagnosed brain aneurysm on October 27, 2006.  Joe’s daughter, Natalie – founder and president of The Joe Niekro Foundation now commits her life to raising funds in support of brain aneurysm research, treatment and education in attempt to combat the enemy that prematurely took her father.

President of The Joe Niekro Foundation, Natalie Niekro, sports her Wanna Get Lucky? shirt in honor of Brain Aneurysm Awareness Week

For more information visit www.joeniekrofoundation.org.  To watch the Wanna Get Lucky? PSA from The Joe Niekro Foundation, click here.

The Joe Niekro Foundation Snoball

Ever heard of the SNOBALL EFFECT??? The Joe Niekro Foundation has partnered with Snoball, a free platform that allows users to give to whom they want and how they want. Those who join a Snoball can quickly and easily share them across their personal social networks, encouraging friends and families to participate. The idea is that you can start your own Snoball or join another like-minded person’s Snoball along the way. You can make one-time donations, recurring donations, and even donations based on personal goals such as mowing the lawn or being nice to your brother. The possibilities are endless, and Snoball will help you follow through by sending you an email at the appropriate interval. The specific event, donation amount and time interval are defined by the user.

Once a Snoball is defined and enabled, the platform’s underlying patented technology takes care of the rest, trig-gering the specified donation at the pre-defined intervals for the life of the Snoball. This can ultimately transform a one dollar donation into millions.

To get things started, we’ve created a Snoball for each team that Joe Niekro played for during his 22 year MLB career. When any of the below teams win, every participant in that Snoball is helping raise $1 to the foundation. So the more members in a snoball, the more money raised each time that occurrence takes place! It’s Easy and It’s Fun, so join us as we create the biggest SNOBALL in history…all while helping raise money to support brain aneurysm research, treatment and education.

Join the Chicago Cubs Snoball

Join the San Diego Padres Snoball

Join the Detroit Tigers Snoball

Join the Atlanta Braves Snoball

Join the Houston Astros Snoball

Join the New York Yankees Snoball

Join the Minnesota Twins Snoball

Honoring Brain Aneurysm Awareness Week March 12-18th

In 2012, more than 30,000 people in the United States will be affected by a ruptured brain aneurysm.  More than 40% of these aneurysms will prove to be fatal.  As we enter the month of March that will honor Brain Awareness Week March 12-18th, The Joe Niekro Foundation would like to share information about the warning signs of a brain aneurysm.  Research shows that early detection can make a significant difference in the outcome of a brain aneurysm.

Brain Awareness Week will be celebrated from March 12-18, 2012, and will be a global campaign to increase public awareness about the progress and benefits of brain research.  Each year, Brain Awareness Week campaign combines the efforts of universities, hospitals, government agencies, schools, and professional associations in a week-long celebration of the brain.

The Joe Niekro Foundation is committed to providing critical awareness, education, support and research funding to reduce the incidence of brain aneurysm ruptures.  The goal of our organization is to educate people about the dangers of brain aneurysms and save lives by funding vital research and increasing awareness.

Brain aneurysms can affect people of any age and as many as 1 in 15 people have an unruptured brain aneurysm.  Even with today’s advanced nuero-imaging technology, 25% of people are misdiagnosed or receive delayed diagnoses for brain aneurysms.  To ensure individuals receive the appropriate care in an emergency situation, it is important to raise awareness of the warning signs and symptoms.

There are many risk factors that doctors and researchers believe may increase your risk of developing an aneurysm or, if you already have an aneurysm, may increase your risk of it rupturing including smoking, hypertension, drug use, infection, tumors, traumatic head injury and a family history of aneurysms.

Most brain aneurysms cause no symptoms and may only be discovered during tests for another, usually unrelated, condition. In other cases, an unruptured aneurysm will cause problems by pressing on areas within the brain. When this happens, the person may suffer from severe headaches, blurred vision, changes in speech, and neck pain, depending on the areas of the brain that are affected and the severity of the aneurysm.

Aneurysms may burst and bleed into the brain, causing serious complications including hemorrhagic stroke, permanent nerve damage or death. Once it has burst, the aneurysm may burst again and rebleed into the brain, and additional aneurysms may also occur. More commonly, rupture may cause a subarachnoid hemorrhage – bleeding into the space between the skull bone and the brain.

Shirts are available in Mens and Ladies styles, in a variety of colors and sell for $14.95 (includes shipping)

The importance of early detection of these sudden and silent killers is critical which is why The Joe Niekro Foundation has embarked on a national initiative called Wanna Get Lucky?  This t-shirt campaign is designed to educate the public on the importance of early detection. Help us save lives by joining this campaign to spread the word of why it’s important to Get Lucky. All monies raised from t-shirts sales goes directly to aneurysm awareness and education.  So as we enter into this critical month of raising the importance of brain aneurysm awareness, please join us by sporting a Wanna Get Lucky? t-shirt.  The life you save…could very well be your own.

Thank you for your support and continued assistance in helping us defeat these silent killers!