TD: In November 2013, my family was faced with the most unexpected tragedy through the loss of my wonderful mother Lisa. Prior to the incident, my mom had struggled with a couple of days of consistently bad headaches. Not thinking anything of it, she tried her best to continue with her everyday routine, but sadly a couple of days later, a ruptured brain aneurysm took her life. Brain aneurysm’s were a completely foreign topic to my family, leaving us confused and devastated. The unexpected loss of my mom, a healthy 42-year-old marathon runner, was something that my ten-year-old self and my eight-year-old brother struggled to understand. Brain aneurysms are unexpected and unfair. I strongly believe that spreading awareness about the symptoms and warning signs of brain aneurysms has the possibility to save and change many lives. 

BAF: When did you first learn about with the BAF?

TD: With this upcoming November marking ten years since her passing, I was eager to find a worthy way to commemorate her life. Running was something my mom was extremely passionate about and truly loved doing. She ran multiple marathons, half-marathons, and triathlons in addition to participating in multiple running groups where she had the privilege of meeting so many cherished and close friends. Taking inspiration from this, I set on my search to find a run that supported brain aneurysm awareness and research. However, I quickly found that my search was extremely limited in my hometown, Toronto, Ontario. After expanding my search, I came across the BAF Run on Castle Island in Boston. As I saw the location and cause, my dad and I knew it was meant to be, as we recalled the last time he was in Boston was to watch my mom complete the Boston Marathon. What a full circle moment. We both excitedly looked more into BAF and were extremely impressed with the life-changing work that comes at a result of the cause.

“I came across the BAF Run on Castle Island in Boston. As I saw the location and cause, my dad and I knew it was meant to be.”

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

TD: Prior to my Mom’s passing, brain anuerysms were a completely foreign topic to me and my family. The work that the BAF is doing from virtual webinars to in-person events such as annual fundraiser runs, all help to spread awareness and further education of brain aneurysms. The more people that fundraise and advocate for an important causes such as this, can help make this a more mainstream issue that hopefully, can help save people’s lives. I truly believe in the incredible work BAF is doing and am proud to be a part of an organization that can make an impact. 

If you would like to help Tess continue to raise funds in her mother’s memory and to support the BAF’s mission, please make a donation below.

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