On April 28, 2011 the Texas State Legislature passed a resolution declaring September 2011 to be Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month.  The resolution is designed to raise awareness of the dangers of brain aneurysms and increase public awareness of the symptoms and treatments available.

The resolution was sponsored by Representative Vicki Truitt.  Truitt filed the resolution at the recommendation of Dana Beard, whose son, Taylor Mangham, passed away from a brain aneurysm in January 2010 at the age of 15.

“We are thrilled to have September designated as Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month here in Texas,” said Dana Beard.  “We want to urge everyone to use this time for fundraisers, walks and awareness events.  Together, we can truly make a difference in educating individuals about the dangers of brain aneurysms and help prevent other families from experiencing a loss like ours.”

About Brain Aneurysms
Brain aneurysms can occur in anyone, at any age. An estimated 6 million people in the United States have an unruptured brain aneurysm. Each year, about 24,000 people in the U.S. will suffer from a ruptured brain aneurysm.   About 40% of those experiencing a ruptured brain aneurysm will die.

People who suffer a ruptured brain aneurysm will often have warning signs. The following warning signs precede about 40% of major ruptures, including localized headache, nausea and vomiting, stiff neck, blurred or double vision, sensitivity to light and loss of sensation

If the brain aneurysm is diagnosed early with proper screening, it can be treated before it ruptures, saving lives.    However, most people with unruptured brain aneurysms are completely asymptomatic have no symptoms, while others may experience some or all of the following symptoms, which suggest an aneurysm, including cranial nerve palsy, dilated pupils, double vision, pain above and behind the eye and localized headaches.

There are a number of risk factors that medical professionals believe contribute to the formation of brain aneurysms.  Avoiding or managing these factors can help decrease the potential for brain aneurysms, including smoking, hypertension, drug use, infection, tumors traumatic head injury, family history, select inherited disorders and presence of an arteriovenous malformation.

The Joe Niekro Foundation recently recognized March 14-20, 2011 as Brain Aneurysm Awareness Week as a way to help bring awareness to the importance of early detection, The Joe Niekro Foundation launched the national initiative, Wanna Get Lucky?. This catchy slogan was printed on thousands of t-shirts and promoted to various communities across the country. One of the communities that took an active part was Kingwood Medical Center. Hospital staff donated to the cause with the purchase of Wanna Get Lucky shirts and commemorative bracelets. The bracelets commemorated the hospital’s 100th brain surgery, while the shirts brought awareness to the importance of brain aneurysms and early detection.  Thank you Kingwood Medical Center for Getting Lucky with The Joe Niekro Foundation.

You too can help us bring awareness to this crucial campaign by sporting one of these fantastic shirts and all year long. The more awareness we can bring to this silent killer, the more success we can have in preventing them. Click here to get your shirt now and GET LUCKY!