On November 5th we were joined by those who have survived, those who have lost loved ones to, and those that tirelessly battle brain aneurysms, at the Rodin Museum in Philadelphia Pennsylvania.
It was a gorgeous fall evening and as the sun began to set, participants began to file into the art filled room. Guests enjoyed Cocktails & Hors D’Oeuvres while bidding in our Silent Auction. We are so grateful to our contributing artists who donated their unique work for our auction to raise money for our Aneurysm & The Arts event! You can learn more about each artist by vising this page. Their bio is included in the description of the auction item they donated.
After participants enjoyed dinner and completed a Museum Viewing with Rodin Docent answering any questions, we settled in to hear from our featured speakers. First we heard from one of our Founders, Erin Kreszl about the meaningful connection between Art and Aneurysms.
You may not know, this but a lot is happening both in the mind and the body when we make art, and it can be used for therapeutic means, both in rehabilitation medicine and on your own. Christianne Strang, a professor of neurosciences at the University of Alabama Birmingham and former president of the American Art Therapy Association says: “Creativity in and of itself is important for remaining healthy, remaining connected to yourself and connected to the world.”
BRAIN ANEURYSM SURVIVOR & ARTIST PERSPECTIVES
Survivors & Authors, Minda Thurman & Kavita Basi spoke to their experience with brain aneurysms and the role art played in both of their recovery.
One of Kavita’s pieces was auctioned off at the event. You can purchase both Kavita and Minda’s books now!
2022 PREVENTATIVE RESEARCH GRANT AWARDS
Next The Bee Foundation’s 2022 Preventative Research Grant was awarded.
Dr. Robert M. Starke, Professor in the Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, has been awarded a $25,000 TBF research grant in honor of the Yezzi Family. Zac Yezzi, survived a ruptured brain aneurysm and AVM in 2021 and his family has been dedicated to spreading awareness and funding research. Zac shares “my outlook on life has changed dramatically—I’ve become extremely determined to do anything I can to pay it forward, including supporting The Bee Foundation’s work. I am honored to support Dr. Starke’s research and hope this moves us closer to preventing others from having to go through what I did.”
BREAKING THE BARRIERS OF BRAIN ANEURYSM RESEARCH
Dr. Stacey Quintero Wolfe, Professor and Residency Program Director, Departments of Neurological Surgery and Radiology at the Wake University School of Medicine, has been awarded a $25,000 TBF research grant in honor of Brittany McCarthy, a vibrant 21 year old who passed away from a ruptured brain aneurysm in October of 2021. Patricia McCarthy, Brittany’s mother shared “the McCarthy family is honored to be part of this research grant. Brittany’s dream in life was to help others. She was studying to be a Physician’s Assistant and her passion was science and research. This grant is helping to live her dream. It is our hope that this research will help spare other families the tragedy of losing a cherished loved one to this silent killer.”
The evening concluded with the LIVE AUCTION featuring work from Gold Medal of Honor Sculptor, Gwen Marcus, a paddle raise, and some Coffee & Dessert. Together we were able to raise more than $132,000+ for brain aneurysm research and prevention efforts!
We could not have done this without our sponsors, our artists, our scientific advisory board, the team at the Rodin museum, constellation catering, and those who donated.
