Thanks for visiting my Brain Aneurysm and AVM Awareness Walk fundraising page for the 3rd Annual TAAF Aneurysm Awareness Walk (Sunday May 4, 2008). Team "Chris Meehan" is walking in memory of a very special person in my life, Chris Meehan. If you will be in the SF area and would like to walk with me - I would be ecstatic to have your company and support! You can find all the details at www.taafonline.org or feel free to reach out to me directly. 

Chris' Story
On Thanksgiving Day of 2000, just after he turned 28, Chris had the worst headache of his life. It just wouldn't go away and 2 weeks later he was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm. At first they said it was a small one. But with more tests they decided it was a big one. Basically, he had a ticking bomb in his head that could burst (hemorrhage) at any time. That is, it could rupture and kill him today or never or somewhere in between, there was no way to tell. I frantically searched for any information I could find on the topic. I desperately tried to find anyone we could get in contact with to ask, "what was your experience", "how are you doing", "what should we know", "what does recovery look like"? There were so many questions. And not enough information. We couldn't find a way to get in contact with others going through the same thing. Chris passed away just a few months after being diagnosed.

Why I Am Walking
Brain aneurysms are a scary thing. Most affected people go through life normally, having no idea they have one  - unless it ruptures. And if it ruptures, there is a 50% chance of death and a 30% chance of long term deficits. For those who do have symptoms, or otherwise discover it before rupture, there just aren't enough ready avenues of support or education on options, what to expect and how to cope.

I am walking to be part of the effort to help change that.  I am walking because I know that with knowledge, with more ready avenues to tap into communities of support around this condition, things most certainly could have been different for Chris.
The people (patients, survivors, and medical community) I have met through my work with TAAF are inspiring and have given me first hand accounts of amazing stories of recovery and disease management – tangible evidence of  the difference that a community of support, and knowledge, can make. 

I also walk in honor of the dozens and dozens of Chris' family and friends who are an infinite pool of love and support and generosity. Thank you! Thank you!

Why The Aneurysm and AVM Foundation (TAAF)
Three years ago I joined with a group of doctors and nurses from Univ of Ca San Francisco (UCSF), and like-minded survivors and caregivers to form The Aneurysm and AVM Foundation (TAAF). TAAF (www.TAAFonline.org) is now a small, but quickly growing 501c3 non-profit that is well established in the aneurysm community. We have 0% administrative overhead – all proceeds go directly to patient/survivor support services, awareness, research, and community building events. This year we are excited to be in the last stages of a website upgrade project; finalizing plans around the release of our much anticipated brain aneurysm documentary; able to offer a Sacramento/Central Valley Support Group as well as the San Francisco Support Group; and of course are in our 3rd year of our Annual Awareness Walk.

Thank you for support!
I thank you sincerely for your support. And please forward this page on to anyone who you think might want to donate!

Warmly,
Angela

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to make a contribution to our fundraising efforts.