26.2 for Brain Aneurysm Research
My race is over... Thanks for your support!
I raised over $2500 for the Brain Aneurysm Foundation thanks to your generous donations. There are many other worthy charities that have much more visible fundraising and this time of year is especially hard on everyone’s budgets so I really appreciate the support.
It’s not too late if you still want to make a donation. Just click on this link to find out more.
I had a wonderful time back on Oahu revisiting familiar places and “talking story” with familiar faces. In just four days, I played tour guide to my girlfriend, on a whirlwind tour of the island I called home for three brief years. We went kayaking, hiking, took in a luau, watched pro surfers conquer 20 footers, toured the memorials at Pearl Harbor, ate a lot of local food and did lots of sightseeing. And, oh yeah, I ran 26.2 miles too!
I also have a photo gallery from my trip to Oahu. Click on this link to view my photos.
The marathon is a stunning course starting in Waikiki and winding through downtown past the Christmas lights ablaze in the early morning darkness and continuing through million dollar neighborhoods until the finish in the shadow of Diamond Head. It truly is a beautiful course and a great way to see the city.
A lot has transpired in my life since I finished the marathon. Two days before Christmas, my girlfriend and I were engaged. We’ve been busy planning the wedding and plan to wed later this year here in Oregon. I haven’t been running in over 2 weeks but I better start soon before she changes her mind!
Thanks again to everyone for all your well wishes and have a great 2006!
What is a Brain Aneurysm?
A brain aneurysm, also called a cerebral or intracranial aneurysm, is an abnormal bulging outward of one of the arteries in the brain. It is estimated that up to one in 15 people in the United States will develop a brain aneurysm during their lifetime.
Every year an estimated 30,000 people have a ruptured cerebral aneurysm, which is fatal 50 percent of the time. Aneurysm related deaths equal, or exceed the annual frequency of AIDS associated deaths in America, but receive infinitely less research funding.
My Mission
My mission is to build awareness of aneurysms and raise money for research to prevent and treat this silent killer. To fulfill my mission, I am raising donations for the Brain Aneurysm Foundation by running in the Honolulu Marathon on December 11, 2005.
The Brain Aneurysm Foundation is a charity whose mission is to provide support networks and educational resources to raise public awareness regarding early detection and treatment of brain aneurysms.
My Story
My mother, Sheryl Marie McQueen, passed away in Honolulu on the day after Mother's Day 2004 from complications due to a ruptured aneurysm and subarachnoid hemorrhage. She was only 55.
In the weeks before my mother's aneurysm, I talked with her about running the 2004 Honolulu Marathon. However, because the marathon is in early December, I knew I couldn't afford to run the marathon and fly back to Hawaii 2 weeks later for Christmas. So I decided to skip the marathon and instead spend Christmas with her and my brother on Oahu.
Sadly, we never spent that Christmas together as she was crippled by a brain aneurysm the morning of May 5. My brother and I were still searching for flights for Christmas before we got the news. We quickly booked the next flight to Honolulu and rushed to her bedside. By then, it was already too late.
Such is the nature of ruptured aneurysms... the symptoms are often sudden and strike people who by all appearances are healthy. In less than 24 hours, my mother was blindsided by a silent killer. She was no longer able to communicate with us but fought bravely to her last breath.
Prior to May 2004, I wasn't really sure what an aneurysm was other than the title of a catchy little Nirvana song. By the time you have a ruptured aneurysm, the odds are already stacked against you. 50% of those who have ruptured aneurysms die immediately and 50% of those who survive eventually die from the complications as in my mother's case. For the rest, full recovery and quality of life is far from certain.
I can't bring my mother back, but running Honolulu will bring some closure to a very painful loss in my life. Hopefully by drawing attention to aneurysms I can help save someone else's life in the process.
How can I help?
Please pledge your support to fund brain aneurysm research and help save the lives of others by preaching awareness and early treatment. The life you save may be your own or a loved one.
Click here to donate!
You are visitor #
Please sign my guestbook to let me know how you found my site!
Email me at bafound_26_2@yahoo.com
Destination: HONOLULU!
I raised over $2500 for the Brain Aneurysm Foundation thanks to your generous donations. There are many other worthy charities that have much more visible fundraising and this time of year is especially hard on everyone’s budgets so I really appreciate the support.
It’s not too late if you still want to make a donation. Just click on this link to find out more.
I had a wonderful time back on Oahu revisiting familiar places and “talking story” with familiar faces. In just four days, I played tour guide to my girlfriend, on a whirlwind tour of the island I called home for three brief years. We went kayaking, hiking, took in a luau, watched pro surfers conquer 20 footers, toured the memorials at Pearl Harbor, ate a lot of local food and did lots of sightseeing. And, oh yeah, I ran 26.2 miles too!
I also have a photo gallery from my trip to Oahu. Click on this link to view my photos.
The marathon is a stunning course starting in Waikiki and winding through downtown past the Christmas lights ablaze in the early morning darkness and continuing through million dollar neighborhoods until the finish in the shadow of Diamond Head. It truly is a beautiful course and a great way to see the city.
A lot has transpired in my life since I finished the marathon. Two days before Christmas, my girlfriend and I were engaged. We’ve been busy planning the wedding and plan to wed later this year here in Oregon. I haven’t been running in over 2 weeks but I better start soon before she changes her mind!
Thanks again to everyone for all your well wishes and have a great 2006!
DID YOU KNOW?
Up to one in 15 people in the United States will develop a brain aneurysm.
Up to one in 15 people in the United States will develop a brain aneurysm.
What is a Brain Aneurysm?
A brain aneurysm, also called a cerebral or intracranial aneurysm, is an abnormal bulging outward of one of the arteries in the brain. It is estimated that up to one in 15 people in the United States will develop a brain aneurysm during their lifetime.
Every year an estimated 30,000 people have a ruptured cerebral aneurysm, which is fatal 50 percent of the time. Aneurysm related deaths equal, or exceed the annual frequency of AIDS associated deaths in America, but receive infinitely less research funding.
My Mission
My mission is to build awareness of aneurysms and raise money for research to prevent and treat this silent killer. To fulfill my mission, I am raising donations for the Brain Aneurysm Foundation by running in the Honolulu Marathon on December 11, 2005.
The Brain Aneurysm Foundation is a charity whose mission is to provide support networks and educational resources to raise public awareness regarding early detection and treatment of brain aneurysms.
My Story
My mother, Sheryl Marie McQueen, passed away in Honolulu on the day after Mother's Day 2004 from complications due to a ruptured aneurysm and subarachnoid hemorrhage. She was only 55.
In the weeks before my mother's aneurysm, I talked with her about running the 2004 Honolulu Marathon. However, because the marathon is in early December, I knew I couldn't afford to run the marathon and fly back to Hawaii 2 weeks later for Christmas. So I decided to skip the marathon and instead spend Christmas with her and my brother on Oahu.
Sadly, we never spent that Christmas together as she was crippled by a brain aneurysm the morning of May 5. My brother and I were still searching for flights for Christmas before we got the news. We quickly booked the next flight to Honolulu and rushed to her bedside. By then, it was already too late.
Such is the nature of ruptured aneurysms... the symptoms are often sudden and strike people who by all appearances are healthy. In less than 24 hours, my mother was blindsided by a silent killer. She was no longer able to communicate with us but fought bravely to her last breath.
Prior to May 2004, I wasn't really sure what an aneurysm was other than the title of a catchy little Nirvana song. By the time you have a ruptured aneurysm, the odds are already stacked against you. 50% of those who have ruptured aneurysms die immediately and 50% of those who survive eventually die from the complications as in my mother's case. For the rest, full recovery and quality of life is far from certain.
I can't bring my mother back, but running Honolulu will bring some closure to a very painful loss in my life. Hopefully by drawing attention to aneurysms I can help save someone else's life in the process.
How can I help?
Please pledge your support to fund brain aneurysm research and help save the lives of others by preaching awareness and early treatment. The life you save may be your own or a loved one.
Click here to donate!
You are visitor #
Please sign my guestbook to let me know how you found my site!
Email me at bafound_26_2@yahoo.com
Destination: HONOLULU!