Brain aneurysms affect 1 in 50 people, rupture every 18 minutes, and half end in death—yet only $3.02 per person affected is spent on research.
These numbers are personal:
- Tricia Scobey is a brain aneurysm rupture survivor. On November 8, 2020, her life changed forever. She has since undergone three brain surgeries, two exploratory procedures, and countless scans and appointments. She considers herself “one of the lucky ones,” surviving with minimal deficits. Today, she uses her voice to advocate for prevention and awareness: “The Bee Foundation is truly my lifeline. It gives me such purpose and fills me with joy through the work that I do and the people I meet.”
- Matthew Friedman was just 19 years old when he died suddenly of a ruptured aneurysm. A pre-med student at Cornell, EMT, athlete, and friend, Matthew was brilliant, compassionate, and full of promise. His passing reminds us what is at stake—and why prevention matters. Matthews family and friends have supported two research grants in his name.
The Bee Foundation (TBF) is the only nonprofit solely focused on brain aneurysm prevention, and the 2nd largest private funder of brain aneurysm research in the U.S. Through our Preventative Research Grant Program, we provide $25,000–$50,000 seed grants to leading scientists tackling early detection, genetics, imaging, and health equity. These grants often spark new projects that later secure major NIH funding—amplifying the impact of every donor dollar.
Here are a few of the groundbreaking projects you would be funding:
- Dr. Stacey Quintero Wolfe (Wake Forest & Pictured Above): studying how vessel wall receptors sense pressure & inflammation, with the goal of stopping aneurysms before they form.
- Dr. Robert Starke (University of Miami): using endovascular biopsies to uncover cell dysfunction that makes aneurysms unstable—paving the way for new diagnostic tests and treatments.
- Dr. Rosalind Lai (University at Buffalo): exploring the role of the X chromosome in aneurysm risk to better understand why women are disproportionately affected.
- Dr. Natalia Vasconcellos: leading a multicenter study on health disparities in aneurysmal hemorrhage worldwide, to advance equity in care and prevention.
Board Member Mark Stevens is asking his friends and family to stand with us. By giving today, you’re not just honoring Tricia’s survival and Matthew’s memory—you’re funding the next discovery that could prevent rupture and save lives.
Donate now to The Bee Foundation’s Research Grant Program. Together, we can stop brain aneurysms before they rupture.