More than 750 participants to raise $55,000 for the Hydrocephalus Association
Houston, TX – August 11, 2016 – When Parker was born you would have noticed right away that he had hydrocephalus because his head was very large and his skin was so stretched out that he could barely open his eyes. When he was just two days old, he had brain surgery to implant a shunt to relieve the tremendous pressure on his brain caused by excess spinal fluid. Almost five years old now, Parker continues with daily struggles and a future that remains uncertain since there is currently no cure for hydrocephalus. That is why his parents, Leah and Dave Brown of Katy, are asking for help to spread awareness about the condition and encourage participation in the Greater Houston Hydrocephalus Association WALK on Saturday, November 5, 2016, at The Fellowship at Cinco Ranch located at 22765 Westheimer Parkway in Katy, Texas.
Hydrocephalus patients undergo repeated brain surgeries in the course of their lifetime; over 100 surgeries is not unheard of. Parker’s mom, Leah, says, “Each day we live with the fear of a life-threatening shunt failure and each night we pray for a cure.” Over one million Americans live with the challenges of hydrocephalus. “The current treatment was developed in the 1950’s. We need to raise money for research to find a cure, improve treatment options, and provide program services,” says Beth Hansen, chairperson for the local HA WALK.
Jamie Wright, a 28- year- old medical student in Houston, was diagnosed at a very young age. She says, “Getting through the obstacles of living with this condition on a daily basis would not have been possible without the support provided by the Hydrocephalus Association.” To date, Jamie has endured eleven surgeries and to her, the WALK means hope that she and others affected by this condition someday will not have to worry about when their next surgery will be. “We walk for hope. We walk for a cure,” says Jamie.
While we often think of children being born with hydrocephalus, anyone can acquire the condition after a stroke, head trauma, or illness such as meningitis. U.S. Congresswoman Gabby Giffords developed hydrocephalus after suffering a head injury from a gunshot wound. U.S. military personnel who experience head injuries while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan also account for an increase in the number of individuals living with the challenges of hydrocephalus today.
The Hydrocephalus Association is the largest non-profit, non-governmental funder of hydrocephalus research in the U.S. Money raised will support the HA’s national goal to raise more than $1.5 million.
This year’s HA WALK in Katy will include food, local area mascots, a Kids’ Zone sponsored by Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital with face painting, balloon animal creations, special kid’s activities and a Best Team T-shirt Design Contest. Participants raising $75 or more will receive an HA
WALK T-shirt. According to HA WALK chair, Beth Hansen says now is the time to register to participate as a team or an individual walker by visiting http://HAwalk.kintera.org/houston.
Last year, the Hydrocephalus Association WALKs raised more than $1.4 million from over 15,000 walkers participating in 36 sites. All Hydrocephalus Association WALKs are 100% volunteer initiated and volunteer coordinated.
The 2016 Local HA WALK sponsors include Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, Mischer Neuroscience Institute, Texas Children’s Hospital, and the Brain & Spine Institute of North Houston. The 2016 National HA WALK sponsors are Medtronic Neurologic Technologies, Aesculap, Inc., Codman Neuro-DePuy Smythe, and Sophysa USA.
Founded in 1983 by the parents of children with hydrocephalus, the Hydrocephalus Association is the nation’s largest and most widely respected organization dedicated solely to hydrocephalus. The Hydrocephalus Association’s mission is to find a cure for hydrocephalus and improve the lives of those affected by the condition. For more information, visit the Hydrocephalus Association website at www.hydroassoc.org or call (888) 598-3789.