BAF Changemaker: Jordan Pollack

Jordan Pollack from Armonk, NY with his mother, Susan and family

Jordan Pollack’s connection to brain aneurysms is deeply personal and it has fueled a powerful commitment to raising awareness and supporting lifesaving research. After losing his mother to a ruptured brain aneurysm, Jordan has become a passionate advocate for early detection and education. Most recently, he turned that passion into action by hosting an alumni basketball tournament to benefit the Brain Aneurysm Foundation, raising $30,000 to help advance awareness, research, and hope for families facing this devastating disease. Jordan plans to hold this event every year in honor of his mother.

BAF: Tell us a little about your connection with brain aneurysms. 

JP: Brain aneurysms have unfortunately been a part of my life and mindshare for the last 5-6 years. My mom, Susan Pollack, suffered from a ruptured brain aneurysm in September 2020 that ultimately took her life in March of the following year. Subsequently, my father-in-law had an aneurysm clipped that was identified only because he suffered a stroke. The more I’ve learned about brain aneurysms, the more passionate I’ve become about creating awareness, as early attention and identification can be so impactful in reducing and preventing catastrophic ruptures like my mom experienced.

BAF: When did you first learn about the BAF?

JP: We first learned about BAF when my brother, Justin, wanted to raise money for running a marathon. BAF was clearly the right choice just based off desktop research and we couldn’t be more glad we’ve been able to support the organization’s efforts over the years. In 2021, Justin, and a group of his friends started Team Suze and ran the New York City Marathon in my mom’s honor. Together, Team Suze raised over $123,076 for the Brain Aneurysm Foundation in hopes to help prevent tragedies for those who suffer from brain aneurysms.

BAF: How do you explain the importance of brain aneurysm awareness to people who may not know much about it?

JP: I would explain the importance of awareness simply through the experience of losing my mom. Knowing that rupture prevention is completely possible with early identification is the clearest reason to get checked; my mom’s life could have been changed had we known more.

BAF: What does the BAF community mean to you?

JP: There is comfort in knowing that my family and I are not alone, but more important than that is being a part of a community that is advocating and fighting for the right things: early diagnosis, important research and saving lives. 

BAF: If you could share one thing with the world about brain aneurysms, what would it be?

JP: I would just reiterate that awareness, education and identification can be incredibly impactful in saving lives. Ruptures occur most often without any prior knowledge of the aneurysm and rupture prevention is entirely possible with early identification. The impact of losing someone we love is devastating and not always in our control, but with brain aneurysm ruptures, we can control a lot if we take action early and make identification of these problems more a part of our routine check-ups.