Top Hospitals in World’s Largest Medical Center Join Patients to Raise Awareness and Critical Research Funding for Incurable Brain Condition
Houston, TX (PRWEB) September 19, 2013 -- Memorial Hermann’s Mischer Neuroscience Institute and Texas Children’s Hospital will join nearly 300 walkers representing local families, schools, corporations and organizations as they mobilize for the Hydrocephalus Association’s (HA) 2nd Annual Houston, TX WALK on Saturday, September 21, 2013 at Rob Fleming Park in the Houston suburb, The Woodlands. Houston is home to Texas Medical Center, the world’s largest medical center, where both Memorial Hermann and Texas Children’s hospitals reside. Both of these world class hospitals are Gold level sponsors for this family-friendly event, which hopes to raise over $30,000 that will be used to support the association’s critical research initiatives and current education and outreach programs. HA is the largest non-profit patient advocacy organization dedicated solely to supporting individuals living with hydrocephalus.
"There is no cure for hydrocephalus and the current treatment requires brain surgery. We need to raise money for research to find a cure and improve treatment options," stated Sarah Besuegli, one of the event co-chairs and mother to five year-old Alan, who acquired hydrocephalus due to an intraventricular hemorrhage he developed after the family was hit by a drunk driver. "Putting together a walk and helping raise awareness and critical research funding for hydrocephalus makes me feel less helpless, and that I’m making a difference."
Hydrocephalus is characterized by the abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within cavities in the brain. Over one million Americans live with hydrocephalus. About two in every 1,000 babies are born with hydrocephalus, it is diagnosed in the senior population, and people who sustain even moderate traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can develop the condition. The Hydrocephalus Association began funding research in 2009 to seek better treatment options and, ultimately, a cure. Since then, HA has committed well over $3 million to fund critical research initiatives.
The walk begins at 10:00 am. Registration and check in are open at 8:30 am. Children’s Memorial Hermann has sponsored a Kid’s Activity Zone that will include fire truck and ambulance tours, face painting, balloon art, games and appearances by H-E-Buddy and Children’s Memorial Hermann’s giraffe mascot, Topper. Families with hydrocephalus are invited to tell their story in poster format to be displayed on Ambassador Avenue. Participants raising $50 or more will receive an HA WALK T-shirt. Participants who raise anywhere from $250 to $10,000 or more will win prizes ranging from a sweatshirt to a Soundlink Bluetooth Mobile Speaker.
Please contact Sarah Besuegli at hawalktx(at)aol(dot)com for more information. There is still time to register to participate as a team or an individual walker by visiting http://walk4hydro.kintera.org/Houston. Interested individuals can also call the HA national office at 888-598-3789 Ext. 12 or email walk(at)hydroassoc(dot)org.
About the Hydrocephalus Association
Founded in 1983 by the parents of children with hydrocephalus, the Hydrocephalus Association is the nation’s largest and most widely respected organization dedicated to hydrocephalus. More than 60 percent of HA's funding comes from individual donations and events, and approximately 35 percent comes from foundation and corporate grants. The Hydrocephalus Association's mission is to eliminate the challenges of hydrocephalus. For more information, visit the Hydrocephalus Association Web site at http://www.hydroassoc.org or call (888) 598-3789.
Amanda Garzon, Hydrocephalus Association, (301) 202-3811, [email protected]
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