Inside - The Brain Aneurysm Foundation

Aheadsupport \ education \ research \ awarenessFifth Annual Research Grant SymposiumThe Brain AneurysmFoundation hada wonderful eveningoverlooking CentralPark on September 22,2011 at the New YorkAthletic club for their 5thAnnual Research Grant Dr. David Langer, Dr. David Chalif, Dr. Philip SteigSymposium. The Foundation awarded $160,000 in grants toeight individuals conducting scientific research directed atearly detection, improved treatment modalities, and technologicaladvances that will ultimately improveoutcomes for patients with brainaneurysms.The evening was hosted by the NorthShore LIJ Brain Aneurysm Center andthe Cushing Neuroscience Institute andthe guest presenter was Dr. L. NelsonHopkins, Professor and Chairman ofNeurosurgery, Professor of Radiology and Director of the ToshibaStroke Research Center at theUniversity of Buffalo.Lauren Sherwin, Dr. William Ashley,and Christine BuckleyThe evening was a time for aspectrum of people somehowaffected or involved in thefield of brain aneurysms tocome together. There werephysicians, nurses, and other North Shore LIJ Support Group Membersmedical professionals. There were survivors and their families, aswell as the families and friends of those that have lost someone.There were corporate supporters whose companies make devicesfor the treatment of aneurysms. This was an emotional evening assurvivors were reveling in their recoverywhile at the same time others were stillmourning their loss. But in the end,everyone could leave with the sense thatthere is hope for future patients and thatresearch is being done today to help savethe lives of others tomorrow.Ginny Tocci, Nancy JareckiCongratulations to our 2011 Research Grant RecipientsThe 2011 Award RecipientsCarol W. Harvey Memorial Chair of Research - $25,000William J. Mack, M.D., Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery,Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California,Los Angeles, CA. “MRI Perfusion and Permeability and MatrixMetalloproteinase 9 levels: Association with Cerebral VasospasmFollowing Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage”North Shore University Hospital, Brain Aneurysm CenterChair of Research - $25,000Jinglu Ai, Ph.D, M.D., Research Associate, St. Michael’s Hospital,University of Toronto, Toronto, ON. “Molecular Mechanisms ofMemory Loss Following Subarachnoid Hemorrhage”Shirley Dudek Demmer Chair of Research - $25,000Tomoki Hashimoto, M.D., Associate Professor, University ofCalifornia, San Francisco, CA. “Pharmacological Prevention ofthe Rupture of Intracranial Aneurysm”Annie’s Chair of Research - $20,000Koji Hosaka, Ph.D, Instructor, University of Florida, Gainesville,FL. “Aneurysm Healing and Vascular Repair: ModulatingInflammatory Process via MIP-1α and MIP-2”Cynthia Lynn Sherwin Chair of Research - $20,000William Ashley, Jr., Ph.D., M.D., MBA, Assistant Professor,University of Texas at Houston, Houston, TX. “NeuroproteomicAnalysis of CSF-derived Microparticles in Cerebral VasospasmFollowing Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage”Timothy P. Susco Chair of Research - $20,000David K. Kung, M.D., Resident, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA.“The Role of Aspirin in Cerebral Aneurysm Formation and Rupture”Robert Simon Chair of Research - $15,000L. Fernando Gonzalez, M.D., Assistant Professor, ThomasJefferson University, Philadelphia, PA. “The Effect of SequentialFlow Diversion Stenting, with Pipeline Embolization Device on theAneurysm Pressure”Danielle Elizabeth Bledy Chair of Research - $10,000Dharam Persaud, B.Sc., M.S.B.E., Ph.D., Student, BiomedicalEngineering, Florida International University, Miami, FL.“Novel Biodegradable Alloys Designed for the Treatment ofCerebral Aneurysms”Thank you to our new Chairs of Research established in 2011Annie’s Chair of ResearchIn August 2010, AnnieCurtin passed away asthe result of a ruptured brainaneurysm; she was just 6years old. Annie was a sweetand vivacious child whopacked a lot of life into those six years. She left behind wonderfulmemories and stories and a family and friends who miss herdearly - she will live forever in our hearts. One of her favoriteactivities was Irish Step Dancing and Annie’s friends and family- led by Kathleen Keady and the Pender-Keady Irish Step DanceAcademy - raised $20,000 to establish Annie’s Chair to furtherresearch in the area of brain aneurysms.Robert Simon Chair of ResearchIn March 23, 2011, Robert Simon lost his life at the age of60, the result of a ruptured brain aneurysm. To honor hismemory, Pelican Athletic Club Charity Foundation donated theproceeds from its annual fundraising tournament, Aces AgainstAneurysms, to the BrainAneurysm Foundation. TheAces Against Aneurysmsorganization helps to raiseawareness in the Gulf Southregion about the potentiallydeadly condition. RebeccaWinchell, a survivor of aruptured brain aneurysm,established the tournamentin 2010 as well as a website (www.brainsupportnola.com) andsupport group in the New Orleans area.Robert Simon was a loving husband, father of two children andan avid tennis player. The tournament is now dedicating its fundsin his memory so that research and efforts to reduce the numberof deadly aneurysms may continue. ”Danielle Bledy Chair of ResearchDanielle was a unique, special girl with beautiful hazel eyes anda huge, beaming smile. She was a joy to us - a loving daughterwho enjoyed spending time with her family. She loved to snuggleon the sofa, watching movies. Every night she liked to be tuckedinto bed and given a good night kiss.She touched more people in her thirteen short years of life thanmost people do in a lifetime. Danielle never had an unkind wordor deed for anyone. She was true toherself and refused to conform justto fit in. She loved wearing jeans andT-shirts and her Chuck Taylor’s. Itwas rare that she wore a dress, butwhen she did she looked beautiful.She loved playing the guitar, and wecan still hear the opening chords of“Smoke on the Water.”Animals were her passion, and Danielle planned to become a vet.She also loved basketball, and played daily with her friends onthe block. I can’t listen to the sound of the basketball bouncingoutside without seeing her playing in my mind.We are looking to support Danielle’s passions through charity, aswell as raise funds to donate to research brain aneurysms,the silent killer that took her life.Carol W. Harvey Chair of ResearchCarol W. Harvey suffered a brain aneurysm on July 17, 2002.She passed away on July 30, 2002 due to complication fromvasospasm. She was 52 years old. She lived in Buffalo, NY andwas the wife of Jeffrey Harvey and mother of Jeffrey Harvey IIand Karen Harvey.4 \ FALL 2011 www.bafound.org ThinkingAhead \ 5