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Raising Funds for a Better Tomorrow

As the first Canadian run/walk in support of brain aneurysm research and care, Running Against Ruptures is committed to raising funds so people can get the help they need earlier and with better results. By supporting research, we can help alleviate the pain many families encounter due to brain aneurysms.

Read our newsletter ABOUT BRAIN ANEURYSMS


Wood Family Story: Looking for Support

“The sudden, tragic passing of our dad, Bob Wood, from a ruptured brain aneurysm in 2013 is what motivated our family to host this event. Brain aneurysms, as we have since learned, affect people of all ages in many different ways. Our dad’s story is only one!

So, in light of and in memory of our dad, we undertook the planning of Running Against Ruptures. Through this event, we connected with other affected families and our passion started to grow.

Although our father passed, we have learned many families affected by brain aneurysms have been given a second chance. That there are people who have survived and gone on to live wonderfully fulfilled lives.

Through the creation of this event, we have been able to honour someone we love and have allowed others the opportunity to do the same. We raised awareness of a risk we all face, and hopefully, reminded everyone how precious life is. We hope we have motivated others to follow our example, take up a greater purpose and strive to make a difference.

Dad lives on through this event, but this event lives on because of the survivors and their support. Our family is very proud to have organized this first Canadian event for brain aneurysm care and laid the groundwork for future Canadian events. We couldn’t have done it without our volunteers, participants, supporters, individual sponsors and generous corporate sponsors."

- Michele, Steve and Cindy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Running Against Ruptures founder, Cindy Ivanitz, recounts her father Bob's passing and what inspired her on the journey to raising funds and awareness for brain aneurysms.


Liana Anagnostou: Why We Run

Over the Canada Day weekend in July 2023, my husband and I eagerly welcomed our families to our home to share in the celebration of our upcoming wedding. Our church's priest joined us to bless our rings, marking a moment of profound significance. The day was brimming with happiness, as we indulged in laughter, backyard games, and cherished moments, all in honor of our marriage in October. Unexpectedly, our lives took a drastic turn. Just two days after our joyous celebration on July 3, my mom called me in a panic with the worst news I had ever heard. My father, Bob (Robert), suddenly and unexpectedly passed away. Without any answers as to why this occurred, my world crumbled into pieces. We later discovered that my dad, who had enjoyed good health and never complained of headaches, had passed away from a ruptured berry brain aneurysm. This left my family devastated, confused and frustrated. My dad's passing completely altered our lives, and undoubtedly, it broke my heart knowing I would never have the chance to walk down the aisle with him. He was 66 years old and just a few months shy of retirement. He had postponed his retirement waiting until after my wedding to begin this new chapter of his life.

In a scramble for solace, deeper comprehension, and connection with those who had shared a similar experience, I stumbled upon Running Against Ruptures. When I reached out to the Event Director and founders, Cindy, it was remarkably coincidental to discover that she had undergone a similar loss. What made it even more poignant was learning that her father shared the same name as mine: Bob. In that moment, I felt a sense of relief knowing that she had experienced something similar and could empathize with my grief.

Now, I proudly serve as a member of the committee, actively contributing to both the group and this great foundation. My goal is to make a meaningful impact by raising awareness about brain aneurysms, aiming to prevent these silent threats from going unnoticed.


Natasha's Story: Hope for the Future

My Mom, Kathy Soephner, passed away on March 14, 2016, from a ruptured aneurysm - an aneurysm we never knew she had. It is a day that I will sadly never forget and one I wish would have had a better outcome.

My parents operated a seasonal business and had just returned to our small town, Southampton, from their winter home in Florida that March morning. Just after grocery shopping, Mom texted me saying, "I think I'm having a stroke." I tried calling but couldn't reach her. I drove to my parent's house, but no one was there. Knowing something wasn't right, I rushed to the local hospital. Mom was in the emergency department when I arrived. She had an excruciating headache, sensitivity to light, and was extremely nauseous. The doctors suspected a migraine and were set to discharge her but decided to conduct further tests. 

While she was taken for a chest x-ray, one of the doctors came to tell us she had suddenly "crashed". At that point, they were doing everything they could to keep her alive. The doctors now suspected a brain bleed that would require a CT scan to confirm. Mom needed to be intubated and transferred to Owen Sound, a larger nearby hospital. My body was trembling with fear. Mom was unconscious during the 45-minute ambulance ride to Owen Sound. The CT scan confirmed a major brain bleed and Mom needed to go to London for surgery. 

A neurological team had been called and would be awaiting her arrival. Upon arrival in London, we were taken to the family waiting room outside the ICU. A team of doctors and nurses arrived about an hour later and we were informed that Mom's pupils had become dilated and fixed on the way and she had been pronounced brain dead. 

Utter shock overcame me. I didn't know how life was going to continue without her. That day, five hours after arriving in London, we said our goodbyes and turned off the machines that kept her alive. The days that followed were a blur. The shock of losing Mom so quickly was overwhelming.

My hope for the future is that other families don't have to endure the same pain we suffered. Brain aneurysm research is crucial and with more fundraising, better techniques for quickly diagnosing and treating ruptured aneurysms can be achieved. 


Margaret's Story: To Survive

I am a former elementary school teacher, wife, mother of three, grandmother of two, and now, brain aneurysm survivor turned thriver. I know my calling is to teach people about brain aneurysms and help spread the word about awareness, prevention and support. 

In March 2009, I had just dismissed my kindergarten students and was freshening up in the washroom before rushing off to a board meeting. Suddenly, I experienced pain in my head unlike anything I had ever known. I felt a "pop" and knew something was wrong. I tried meditative breathing techniques to manage the headache but nothing worked. The pain only increased and I felt nauseous. 

Suddenly, my left leg would not hold me and I sat on the floor. My phone was in my classroom so I steadied myself and waited for someone to find me. Luckily, another teacher stopped in and found me on the floor. Other staff also came to my aid. Strangely enough, I was coherent and able to communicate.

I started to help the teaching staff plan for the couple days I thought I'd be off recovering. I wasn't listening to my body, and this was the first lesson I learned. For me, I had headaches and a stiff neck for two years prior to this moment. These are signs I should have paid attention to.

My husband picked me up and we went to our family doctor who sent me to the closest hospital in Kitchener/Waterloo, Grand River Hospital. I was diagnosed with a ruptured brain aneurysm. Since the hospital did not treat brain aneurysms, I was flown to LHSC in London for treatment. I had a CT angio of the brain, a formal digital subtraction angio and a post-operative cerebral angio. These tests allowed neurosurgeon, Dr. Stephen Lownie, to determine the location of the aneurysm and its severity. 

I underwent a six-hour surgery and remained in the hospital for over three weeks. I knew I was fortunate to survive the aneurysm and needed to do everything in my power to regain my strength and cognitive abilities. I would not let the gift of my life be wasted. 

In my recovery, however, I struggled to focus, read and write. Although I looked normal on the outside, I was different emotionally and physically. I could no longer continue to be an elementary school teacher.

I was embarrassed by my brain injury at first. It took me years to accept it. Now, I am an advocate of awareness and am delighted to share my story with you. Awareness, early detection and research are key. 


Jen's Story: For Mom

May 8th, 2021 changed my family's lives forever. We lost our mom/ wife/ Nana, Penny Lee Evelyn Jones, at 60 years old to a brain aneurysm - something we knew nothing about.

The morning of May 8th I spoke to my mom telling her that I would be heading to London to come spend the night as it was Mother's Day the next day. My mom loved many things but the one thing her and I always did together was go fishing. We would sit for hours by the water; Dorchester Pond will always be our forever spot. I had big plans to take her fishing before we all gathered for our annual Mother's Day celebrations. Mom was so happy and excited when I told her about our surprise fishing trip.

Not even two hours later, I received a devastating phone call stating that I needed to get to London ASAP. My oldest son Logan had found my mom having trouble breathing and called 911. He performed CPR and did everything he could to keep her alive until the paramedics got there. Six long hours and multiple tests later, they pronounced her brain dead as a result of a ruptured brain aneurysm. Our mom passed away that night at 10:30PM; just an hour and a half before we planned to celebrate her day.

My dad James, my brother Steve, and my sister Kendra along with our spouses and all of our children miss her so much every day.

In June 2022, my son Keegan and I went for a walk, and I felt the need to go to Springbank Gardens. When we arrived, I came across the Running Against Ruptures run happening and knew that's why we needed to be there. My son and I joined, and we ran in memory of her. 

After the event, I felt I needed to do more to help raise awareness for brain aneurysm research, so, I joined the Running Against Ruptures committee! I'm excited for my family to run with me and I hope many others will join as well to help alleviate the pain families, including mine, have experienced because of brain aneurysms. 


Dr. Mel Boulton Story: Helping Hands

Md, PhD, FRCSC Nuerosurgeon, LHSC

A few years ago, a patient was in my clinic asking about support groups for loved ones of patients who suffered from ruptures. In doing my research, I came across the Running Against Ruptures page, and I'm so happy I did. 

I reached out to the race director, Cindy Ivanitz (above). She was pivotal in helping our team at LHSC get involved. The benefit of the run is two-fold: it serves as a support group in itself by bringing together caring people who have been touched by aneurysms in some way. And, it raises much-needed research funding.

Our collaborative research project shows great promise for the future of patients with brain aneurysms. Dr. Tamie Poepping's work has been instrumental in this project.

Thank you again for your dedication to brain aneurysm research. 

 

See Impact Report