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Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia, also known as HHT, is a genetic disorder that causes malformed blood vessels and the development of telangiectases and AVMs. It can cause an array of symptoms such as nosebleeds, trouble breathing, and bleeding…

Different parts of the brain can cause different side effects if they are damaged or affected. The specific side effects that occur depend on the location and extent of the damage in the brain. Some common examples include:Frontal Lobe: The frontal …

  Avastin (bevacizumab) is a type of chemotherapy medication that is sometimes used to reduce brain swelling when the swelling from Gamma Knife (or other stereotactic radiosurgery) radiation treatment of an AVM becomes excessive and is not suc…

The Aneurysm and AVM Foundation (TAAF) is a non-profit organization that aims to provide support, education, and resources to individuals and families affected by aneurysms and AVMs (arteriovenous malformations). The foundation's mission is …

The Joe Niekro Foundation is a non-profit organization that was founded in 2008, after the death of Joe Niekro, a Major League Baseball pitcher. The foundation's mission is to raise awareness about brain aneurysms and to provide education and suppor…

Gamma Knife radiation therapy is a non-invasive treatment option for brain AVMs (arteriovenous malformations) that uses high doses of radiation to target and destroy the abnormal blood vessels. The Gamma Knife is a specialized device that delivers r…

Service animals can play an important role in assisting children who have had a stroke. Ischemic stroke is caused by a blockage in a blood vessel that supplies blood to the brain. Hemorrhagic stroke is caused by a break in a bloo…

Annie is our magical unicorn fox. She wears the red aneurysm awareness ribbon in her hair to help tell the story of how children are affected by brain aneurysms just like adults. Aneurysms can occur anywhere in the body, including in the brain, whe…

A brain AVM (arteriovenous malformation) is a tangle of abnormal blood vessels connecting arteries and veins in the brain. These vessels bypass the normal capillary system, allowing blood to flow directly from the arteries into the veins. This can l…

Icing Smiles is a non-profit organization that provides custom cakes to families of children who are suffering from serious illnesses. The organization was founded in 2009 by Tracy Quisenberry, a mother who wanted to use her baking skills to bring a…