Stacy Horner-Dunn and her daughter Austen

Stacy Horner-Dunn of Fredericksburg, VA, lost her daughter Austen to a brain aneurysm rupture in 2016. This tragedy spurred Stacy to advocate for brain aneurysm awareness and research. Since 2018, Stacy has been a dedicated supporter of the Brain Aneurysm Foundation, striving to enhance medical awareness, funding, and early detection methods to prevent similar losses.

---

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

SHD: My connection with brain aneurysms started on September 23, 2016, when my 23-year-old daughter, Austen, collapsed after we had been shopping. She was transported via ambulance and to the local hospital within 45 minutes. However, she was not diagnosed very quickly. It took several hours before a C-scan was ordered and showed she had a brain bleed. She quickly deteriorated and was transported via helicopter to a larger hospital in Richmond, Va where she passed away the following morning.

Needless to say, my family and I were in shock. Up until that time Austen seemed completely healthy. She exercised daily and ate healthy food. There were no outward signs of a brain aneurysm. Austen graduated from the College of William and Mary in 2015 and decided to return to school to try and pursue a PhD in counseling.

---

BAF: When did you first learn about the BAF?

SHD: I first learned about the BAF after finding an event in Richmond, VA, called the Migliore 5k, that raised funds for brain aneurysm research. The funds raised by this event were going to the BAF for research and support. This appealed to me, so I decided to start my own fundraiser and advocate for awareness. 

In September of 2018, we held the First Annual Austen’s Communitas 5K Walk – named such because Austen felt that when people gather and have a shared experience, it creates a special bond that fosters a sense of community.

Over the past seven years, with the help of our amazing community and donors, we and have raised over $225,000 for the BAF.

The Austen L. Dunn Chair of Research was established in 2018 to help fund essential research that can directly benefit those affected and help reduce the incidence of ruptured aneurysms. In September, we will hold our 7th Annual event and fund our 7th Chair of Research.

Click below to register for or donate to the 7th Annual Austen’s Communitas 5K Walk.

---

BAF: Why is it important for you to be an advocate for the BAF community?

SHD: It was important to me to try and make a change after suffering such a devastating loss. I felt the medical staff did not recognize what was happening during the early stages at the emergency room and that there was room for improvement. I also felt that finding an easier way to screen for aneurysms might save lives. I had read that funding was poor for this medical condition and wanted to help make a change with the hope that other parents would not suffer the same loss. When I tell my daughter’s story, people are surprised that a young person can suffer from aneurysms, so bringing attention to this disease is so important.