3rd Annual Team Hydrocephalus Tampa Bay, Florida Receives 224% of Fundraising Goal in Largo Today
Tampa, FL, September 04, 2007 --(PR.com)-- Over 100 individuals and families from several Florida cities gathered today for their 3rd Annual TEAM Hydrocephalus Tampa Bay, Florida walk to raise money and awareness for the life-threatening condition. The group consisted of 23 individuals with Hydrocephalus ranging from 1 year old to 83 years of age. Collectively, they secured donations for $19,913.00 to benefit the Hydrocephalus Association based in San Francisco, California. The money is used to fund the various programs available by families. The Association supports educations and helps to empower individuals to be their own health advocates. Paula and Mark Keyser of Largo started this Annual event in 2005.
The couple began with a support group picnic at their house in 2004 in hopes of finding other families with the same situation as theirs. Their son, Jeremy, who turned six years old in July, was born with this condition due to an intraventricular hemorrhage prior to birth. Jeremy’s condition is treated with a programmable shunt. Other than a few setbacks and delays, Jeremy is expected to be able to live a normal healthy life. However, shunts do come with complications and their drawbacks.
For more information, or to do a story about Hydrocephalus or this support group, please contact Paula Keyser at (727) 415-7339 or email her at hydrosupport@gmail.com. Paula is also an active volunteer with the Seminole/Largo Guild for All Children’s Hospital, the ACH Development Council in St. Petersburg and the Pinellas County Council of PTA’s. Photo link is available at www.gothydro.org. For a high-resolution version for print, let her know.
Hydrocephalus, more commonly known as ‘water on the brain’ is an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within cavities called ventricles inside the brain. CSF is produced in the ventricles, circulates through the ventricular system, and is absorbed into the bloodstream. CSF is in constant circulation and has many important functions. It surrounds the brain and spinal cord and acts as a protective cushion against injury. CSF contains nutrients and proteins necessary for the nourishment and Normal function of the brain. Hydrocephalus occurs when there is an imbalance between the amount of CSF that is produced and the rate at which it is absorbed. As the CSF builds up, it causes the ventricles to enlarge and the pressure inside the head to increase. Hydrocephalus that is congenital (present at birth) is thought to be caused by a complex interaction of environmental and perhaps genetic factors. Aqueductal Stenosis and Spina Bifida are two examples Acquired Hydrocephalus may result from intraventricular hemorrhage, meningitis, head trauma, tumors and cysts. Hydrocephalus is believed to occur in about 1 out of every 1,000 live births. The incidences of adult-onset hydrocephalus and acquired hydrocephalus are not known. There is no known way to prevent or cure hydrocephalus. The most effective treatment is surgical insertion of a shunt.
Consider these statistics:
Hydrocephalus (hi′ drə sef′ ä lüs)
More common than you might think.
• Affects hundreds of thousands of Americans
• Diagnosed in people of all ages: from infants to elders
• One in every 1,000 babies is born with hydrocephalus
• The most common reason for brain surgery in children
Although it is treatable…
• There is no cure for this chronic condition
• The only known treatment is surgical
• It requires over 40,000 surgeries per year in the US - one every fifteen minutes
• In adults, this reversible dementia and gait disorder often goes undiagnosed and untreated
There is still more to do.
• Even after treatment, many people face repeated surgeries and diminished quality of life
• Medical costs exceed $1 billion per year
###
The couple began with a support group picnic at their house in 2004 in hopes of finding other families with the same situation as theirs. Their son, Jeremy, who turned six years old in July, was born with this condition due to an intraventricular hemorrhage prior to birth. Jeremy’s condition is treated with a programmable shunt. Other than a few setbacks and delays, Jeremy is expected to be able to live a normal healthy life. However, shunts do come with complications and their drawbacks.
For more information, or to do a story about Hydrocephalus or this support group, please contact Paula Keyser at (727) 415-7339 or email her at hydrosupport@gmail.com. Paula is also an active volunteer with the Seminole/Largo Guild for All Children’s Hospital, the ACH Development Council in St. Petersburg and the Pinellas County Council of PTA’s. Photo link is available at www.gothydro.org. For a high-resolution version for print, let her know.
Hydrocephalus, more commonly known as ‘water on the brain’ is an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within cavities called ventricles inside the brain. CSF is produced in the ventricles, circulates through the ventricular system, and is absorbed into the bloodstream. CSF is in constant circulation and has many important functions. It surrounds the brain and spinal cord and acts as a protective cushion against injury. CSF contains nutrients and proteins necessary for the nourishment and Normal function of the brain. Hydrocephalus occurs when there is an imbalance between the amount of CSF that is produced and the rate at which it is absorbed. As the CSF builds up, it causes the ventricles to enlarge and the pressure inside the head to increase. Hydrocephalus that is congenital (present at birth) is thought to be caused by a complex interaction of environmental and perhaps genetic factors. Aqueductal Stenosis and Spina Bifida are two examples Acquired Hydrocephalus may result from intraventricular hemorrhage, meningitis, head trauma, tumors and cysts. Hydrocephalus is believed to occur in about 1 out of every 1,000 live births. The incidences of adult-onset hydrocephalus and acquired hydrocephalus are not known. There is no known way to prevent or cure hydrocephalus. The most effective treatment is surgical insertion of a shunt.
Consider these statistics:
Hydrocephalus (hi′ drə sef′ ä lüs)
More common than you might think.
• Affects hundreds of thousands of Americans
• Diagnosed in people of all ages: from infants to elders
• One in every 1,000 babies is born with hydrocephalus
• The most common reason for brain surgery in children
Although it is treatable…
• There is no cure for this chronic condition
• The only known treatment is surgical
• It requires over 40,000 surgeries per year in the US - one every fifteen minutes
• In adults, this reversible dementia and gait disorder often goes undiagnosed and untreated
There is still more to do.
• Even after treatment, many people face repeated surgeries and diminished quality of life
• Medical costs exceed $1 billion per year
###
Contact
Hydrocephalus Association - Tampa Bay Affiliate
Paula Keyser
727-637-5585
www.gothydro.org
Paula Keyser
727-637-5585
www.gothydro.org
Contact
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