Spring is the time for fresh starts; cleaning out the old and bringing new positive energy into the world. What better way to celebrate this time than to spread awareness of the Brain Aneurysm Foundation and all the ways you can help this important cause?

Kick off the season with 10 ways you can do your part this Spring to spear brain aneurysm awareness, make an impact on your community, and possibly save a life!

1. Join a Support Group

One of our greatest projects that has emerged from these difficult times is hosting virtual support groups with different medical communities throughout the country. There are numerous benefits of participating, such as learning more about survivorship, how to support those loved ones who are survivors, and hearing from other people affected, bringing our community together when we need it most. Whether you’re already connected to the brain aneurysm community, or want to introduce yourself… look to our Support Resources to get involved and start healing.

2. Stay Up to Date

One of the best ways to stay involved and up to date is to follow us on social media, where we share the latest research and information, upcoming events, ways to advocate and more! Look for survivor story spotlights, virtual support group meeting info, new statistics, and our campaign progress daily. We make sure to provide our supporters with a plethora of information and new ways to be active members in our community. Not only are you showing your support, but it’s a great way to get reminders of how big of an impact you can have.

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3. Join TeamBAF

The Brain Aneurysm Foundation is looking for athletes or those who like a challenge to join TeamCindy for the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon or TeamBAF for the Falmouth Road Race, Boston Marathon and New York City Marathon. If you are in need of a cause or extra motivation to participate in one of these events, the Brain Aneurysm Foundation is always looking for new members. If you are interested in joining one of our teams and fundraising for the cause, please email Christine Buckley at christine@bafound.org.

4. Celebrate your Birthday with Brain Aneurysm Foundation

Calling all Spring birthdays! Instead of birthday gifts this year, set up a Facebook Fundraiser to help raise awareness for aneurysms and survivors everywhere, and remind your friends and family just how important this cause is for you! The best present is knowing you can help save lives! Just head to our website to learn more and set up your fundraiser. Happy celebrating!

5. Share on Social

Be it a Facebook Post, Instagram Story, or shared hashtag on Twitter, there are endless ways to not only show your support through social media, but share important information to educate your friends, family, and followers. With so much accessibility to others, social media is the fastest way to start a conversation this Spring in support of the Brain Aneurysm Foundation. Take 5 minutes today and share your favorite content from the week, or share some of our downloadable assets from our social media toolkit here. You could help save a life!

6. Shop Stop the Pop Merch

Do you prefer to show your support? With our #StopthePop merchandise, you can wear your support and bring awareness everywhere you go. Choose from a variety of options from t-shirts to hoodies, bags, towels, mugs, etc. This is a fun way to not only donate your money to the foundation but also have a reminder to yourself and others of this cause and start up conversations with people who are curious to learn more. Shop for your friends, family, fellow survivors, today and give the gift of giving.

7. Join the Global Brain Aneurysm Challenge #GlobalBAF

Following the pandemic, the Brain Aneurysm Foundation was on track to lose over 1 million dollars in revenue for 2020. In October of 2020 we kicked off the Global Brain Aneurysm Challenge with a goal to raise $500,000, $1 for each of the 500,000 lives lost around the globe to an aneurysm each year. This challenge is a great way to see how your support is making an impact. This challenge covers the four main areas of our mission: in need of support: education, research, advocacy, and support. Click here to learn more and make your donation big or small!

8. Share your Misdiagnosis Story

In three out of four cases, misdiagnosis results from failure to do a scan. Many people don’t realize that it takes the right MRA scan to make sure your headache isn’t just a headache. Our #TheySaid campaign highlights real victims telling their misdiagnosis story. Misdiagnosis is all too common and if you’ve never had an aneurysm before there is heightened danger when going to the doctor and not asking the right questions or getting the right scan. We are doing everything we can to make sure this issue is brought to the forefront of all brain aneurysm awareness. Share your misdiagnosis story with us today!

9. Advocate for Ellie’s Law

Brain aneurysms are one of the most underfunded disease research projects in the U.S. in terms of the number of Americans affected and the tremendous loss of life, diminution of quality of life for survivors, and the long-term medical costs for families affected.

“Ellie’s Law” is a bipartisan bill introduced by Reps. Yvette Clarke (D-NY) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) (H.R. 1553) and Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) (S. 852) and was drafted in consultation with members of the brain aneurysm medical and research communities.

Ellie’s Law would provide the first ongoing dedicated research funding stream for breakthroughs in preventing potentially fatal brain aneurysms from rupturing and improving the long-term medical consequences and quality of life issues for aneurysm survivors.

Ellie’s Law honors five women who passed away as a result of a brain aneurysm: 14-year-old Ellie Helton; WABC Eyewitness News reporter Lisa Colagrossi; Kristen Shafer Englert, 24 who died shortly after the birth of her first child; Teresa Anne Lawrence, devoted mother of three; and 27-year-old Jennifer Sedney who passed away on Christmas Day in 2013.

Reach out to your legislators in support of Ellie’s Law here

10. Donate

One of the most efficient and simple ways to show support is to donate to the Brain Aneurysm Foundation. With the option to personalize your donation to a loved one and even sign up for monthly donations, there is always the opportunity to help our cause in continuing to spread the awareness of brain aneurysms. Utilize our virtual events, the Roundit App, our #GlobalBAF challenge, and more to make your donations a little at a time!