Fundraiser Race in Buccleuch Park to Benefit Brain Aneurysm Foundation and RWJ

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ–Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital are raising funds to fight brain aneurysms, and launching a new annual 5K run and 1.5 mile walk to do it.

The inaugural run/walk will take place this Saturday, September 20, in Buccleuch Park.  On-site registration for either the run or walk begins at Buccleuch Park at 7am. The 5K will start at 8 a.m., and the 1.5-mile walk will start at 9 a.m.

The event will benefit both the Brain Aneurysm Foundation and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital.

Brain aneurysms are life-threatening, and cause almost 500,000 deaths worldwide each year. Accurate early diagnosis is critical to increasing the likelihood of a healthy and successful recovery.

The event will also serve to raise awareness, educate patients and promote research for brain aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations (AVM’s).

“It is critically important to help increase awareness of and support for these potentially life-threatening conditions,” says Gaurav Gupta, M.D., assistant professor of surgery and neurosurgery, director of cerebrovascular and endovascular neurosurgery at RWJUH and Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and director of the New Jersey Brain Aneurysm & AVM Program.

Over 300 people have already pre-registered to run or walk.  According to a “Campaign In Progress,” shown on the event’s website, nearly $20,000 has been raised.

A “Team Honor Roll,” displays 20 teams.  One team named, “Between The Ears” has raised $5,740, according to the website.

“Approximately six million Americans have an unruptured aneurysm, with ruptures occurring on average once every 18 minutes in this country,” said Gupta.

“Ruptures can be devastating: about 40 percent result in fatalities within the first 24 hours, while as many as 25 percent more of these patients die from complications within six months, and two-thirds of survivors have some type of permanent neurological deficit,” said Gupta.

The inaugural run and walk is just one way that Robert Wood Johnson is helping support our patients and their family members, added Gupta.

“We are committed not only to providing advanced care tailored to each patient, but also to supporting individuals throughout the process of recovery and their evolving issues and concerns.”

Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School’s and RWJUH’s Brain Aneurysm & AVM Program is a highly specialized, interdisciplinary, patient-focused program providing a range of expert treatment for brain aneurysms and AVMs, including new techniques that are changing the way neurosurgeons treat aneurysms.

The program’s support group meets bimonthly in New Brunswick, enabling patients and their family to meet with their peers and participate in open discussions on managing daily activities, including healthy living, spiritual healing, and nutrition and exercise, according to a news release.

Online registration for both the run or walk is still open.  Participation costs $30 for adults and $15 for participants under the age of 12.

All proceeds will benefit the Brain Aneurysm & AVM Program at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and RWJUH, as well as the Brain Aneurysm Foundation, according to the news release.

In addition to the run and walk, celebrated author of the best-selling children’s book series “Amelia Bedelia,” Herman Parish, will be at the event.

There will be a free book giveaway and book-signing session for the first 50 children. It will begin at 8 a.m. and is scheduled to last for an hour-and-one-half.