2010 Brain Aneurysm Foundation Annual Report 2010-Brain-Aneurysm-Foundation-Annual-Report | Page 6

Awareness and Education T he B rain A ne u r y sm F o u ndation R ela u nches W ebsite T www.bafound.org he Brain Aneurysm Foundation proudly announced this summer the relaunch of our redesigned website www.bafound.org. We were able to do this with the help of our many generous donors who helped provide funding for this huge project. We also wish to gratefully acknowledge the many contributions of our Medical Advisory Board for their oversight of the project, as well as for providing new, updated medical content for the website. The revised website contains much more information for those seeking to better understand brain aneurysm warning signs and symptoms. For those newly diagnosed with a brain aneurysm, it provides a wealth of information regarding brain aneurysm basics, treatment options, questions to ask your doctor, as well as answering the many questions asked by patients when they learn they have this frightening condition. A new section on Recovery and Support features information on the rehabilitation and recovery process, deals with common challenges, and provides a resource listing for patients that covers a wide range of assistance programs. A special section for family and friends who have a loved one affected by a brain aneurysm has been added which provides resources and advice for caregivers or for those who have lost a loved one. The banner has photos of people affected by brain aneurysms who share the stories of how their lives have been changed. The new website is easier to navigate, more readable, and fully loaded with great information. increasing brain ane u r y sm awareness S eptember was National Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month. The states that have already proclaimed September as Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month are: MA, CO, OH, ME, NH, CA, HI, NE, MI, PA, FL, NY, and IL. To ask your state to proclaim September as Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month, please email [email protected] for a letter you can send to your state representatives. National efforts to establish September as Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month are ongoing. Co-sponsorship of House Resolution 263 sponsored by Rep. Tiberi of Ohio is still being sought. Many healthcare facilities and community groups promoted Brain Aneurysm Awareness in their hospitals and communities by providing information and handing out educational information and awareness materials. This year we distributed thousands of magnets listing brain aneurysm symptoms and alerting those experiencing the symptoms to seek medical attention immediately. We appreciate the efforts of all the volunteers who work to make others more aware of the devastating effects of this disease. N e u rological / N e u ros u rgical conferences Board member Joy Fischer and Board President Joshua Truitt at CV Joint Section Meeting 6 \ The Brain Aneurysm Foundation The Brain Aneurysm Foundation attends at least two neurological/neurosurgical medical conferences a year to give us the opportunity to present the foundation’s educational and support materials to medical professionals who deal with aneurysm patients at varying levels. We want the medical community to be aware of our resources for their patients and give them the opportunity to serve their patients in the greatest capacity they can. The conferences also allow the foundation to interact with the medical industry providers to open pathways for developing relationships moving forward.