Keith’s Story

Keith DeLeo’s life changed forever in 2021 when his wife suffered a sudden, ruptured brain aneurysm. There were no warning signs. It was just an ordinary morning that turned tragic within minutes. Keith’s wife spent weeks in the ICU, hospital, and rehabilitation, but despite every effort, she passed away a few months later.

During his grief, Keith immersed himself in learning about brain aneurysms. He was shocked to discover how common they are, and how many people may be living with one, unaware of the risk. Today, Keith is committed to advocating for early screening, especially for his children, and raising awareness so that other families might be spared the heartbreak that his family has endured.

Video Transcription:

My wife suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm in 2021. She passed away a couple of months after the rupture. It all started on what seemed like a completely normal day at home. There were no real symptoms, no warning signs; she didn’t even have the classic severe headache that people sometimes describe. She happened to be off work that day, and I was scheduled to work later.

I heard her collapse. I called 911 immediately, and they rushed her to the hospital. A CT scan confirmed it was a ruptured brain aneurysm. She spent about three weeks in the ICU, another week in the hospital, and then three weeks in a rehabilitation facility. And then, suddenly, she passed away.

Life was completely normal at 9:00 a.m., and by 9:15, our entire world had disintegrated.

Afterward, I went into research mode. Throughout the process, it was an intense and difficult learning experience. As time went on and I read more, learned more, and experienced everything firsthand, I began to truly understand how common brain aneurysms are and what happens after a rupture.

Because of what I’ve learned, my children will get tested. I’ve become an advocate for that, even though, until recently, medical guidelines only recommended screening if two blood relatives had aneurysms, which is just unbelievable to me. At least I can help guide my kids in conversations with their doctors, but I think about all the people who don’t have that knowledge or support.

That’s the truly frightening part: so many people may be walking around with an aneurysm ready to rupture, and most of them have no idea. Aneurysms are far more common than people outside of this community realize. And once you’re affected, that’s when awareness comes, but for too many, by then, it’s already too late.