A brain aneurysm ruptures every 18 minutes so most of us should have heard of a brain aneurysm right? According to the Brain Aneurysm Foundation, ruptured brain aneurysms are fatal in about 40% of cases. Of those who survive, about 66% suffer some permanent neurological deficit. This blog is dedicated to brain aneurysm survivors who have inspiring recovery stories, caregivers who are in need of support, and families who lost a loved one to a brain aneurysm. Every person touched by a brain aneurysm says AWARENESS is essential.
There are stories of someone entering the hospital ER with a massive headache and are sent home with aspirin, eventually the aneurysm ruptures, leaving them disabled. There are also stories about a young woman sitting in the ER with a massive headache, throwing up in a trash can with a massive brain bleed. These people were lucky but suffering from a brain aneurysm never crossed their mind. Nor did it occur to me after covering numerous health stories as a Chicago radio reporter. I knew Chicago Tribune columnist Mike Royko died of a brain aneurysm but that’s about it. What the heck is a brain aneurysm I asked my mom as I sat in my hospital bed blind and confused. One in fifty people have a brain aneurysm. Even our Vice -President Joe Biden is a brain aneurysm survivor yet very little is medically known in the general public about brain aneurysms. Eight years ago, I never knew of anyone who lived after a brain aneurysm rupture. This is why state by state awareness legislations, resolutions and support groups are popping up across the country. I created one in Columbus Ohio and three in Chicago. Our support groups in Chicago and the suburbs encompass survivors from many Chicago and suburban hospitals and their caregivers. Log onto for more information.
Currently, Illinois lawmakers are recognizing University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System neurosurgeons for their numerous achievements and contributions to the state of Illinois. The Illinois General Assembly crafted a resolution recognizing these neurosurgeons for treating the most brain aneurysm cases in Illinois and for addressing “the need for patient support” by creating the first brain aneurysm support group in Illinois in 2007. This support group was created with the help of me Janet Sutherland , nurse practitioner Kate Walsh, and Professor and Program Director Dr. Sepideh Amin-Hanjani.
Illinois State Representative Sandra Pihos presented Neurosurgery Chief, Dr. Fady T. Charbel, with the state resolution. She also pledged to work with University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System neurosurgeons and the Chicago Chapter of the Brain Aneurysm Foundation to promote brain aneurysm awareness and patient support in Illinois.
According to the Brain Aneurysm Foundation, 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.
Awareness saves lives and Knowledge creates Hope.
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