The Lisa Foundation, the leader in the fight against brain aneurysms committed to saving lives around the world, recognizes and thanks the National Football League (NFL) and several of its players for helping raise awareness around the severity of brain aneurysms as part of the My Cause, My Cleats initiative. The program, now in its third year, allows players to custom design their cleats to show support for a cause and foundation that is near and dear to their hearts. Among those supporting national awareness for brain aneurysms, Taylor Gabriel of the Chicago Bears and TJ Jones of the Detroit Lions will proudly wear The Lisa Foundation logo to honor the parents that each lost.
“I nearly quit football after losing my mother to a brain aneurysm in 2006. It was her passion for the game and belief in me that gave me the strength to continue playing. I honor her memory every Sunday when I step onto the field,” said Taylor Gabriel, wide receiver for the Chicago Bears. “The work being done by The Lisa Foundation is so critical because you never know when your ability to identify, understand and respond to a brain aneurysm could help save a life.”
A brain aneurysm is a weakness or thinning of the wall of a blood vessel in the brain that gradually bulges outward, risking a potential leak or rupture that is often catastrophic. This year, approximately 50,000 people are expected to experience a ruptured brain aneurysm, with 75 percent resulting in death or major, permanent disability.
“My father passed away from a brain aneurysm while I was in college and, in retrospect, warning signs like chronic headaches were there but we had no idea it could be something so serious,” said TJ Jones, wide receiver for the Detroit Lions. “It’s very special to honor my father’s memory, as well as support the important work being done by The Lisa Foundation to educate people and elevate awareness about this silent killer.”
To help tackle the lack of brain aneurysm awareness and understanding, The Lisa Foundation launched a first-of-its-kind national public service announcement (PSA) campaign. The new PSA features Whoopi Goldberg, who lost her brother to a brain aneurysm, and is rolling out across 8,000 U.S. CVS retail locations through its in-store radio network as well as on its social media channels. Recognizing the symptoms of a life-threatening rupture such as the sudden onset of the worst headache of your life (WHOL), a sharp pain behind or above one eye and blurry or double vision could help someone get the treatment they need faster to avoid death.
“It’s a real privilege to have some of the best athletes in the world support The Lisa Foundation because they believe in our mission and recognize our leadership in making a difference in the lives of others affected by this silent killer,” says Todd Crawford, Founder of The Lisa Foundation. “Knowing firsthand the devastating impact of losing someone to a brain aneurysm, it’s a special opportunity for each of these young men to honor the memory of parents and loved ones lost, while helping educate fans and families who may not know anything about identifying a brain aneurysm or how to be prepared in the event of one. We are humbled by their support and could not ask for a better group of ambassadors.”
For more information about The Lisa Foundation, the signs and symptoms of brain aneurysms as well as to watch the Foundation’s PSA with Whoopi Goldberg, please visit www.lisafoundation.org.
