Hello! My name is Jack Cooper and I am one of the lucky few selected to run the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon to raise awareness of brain aneurysms and to raise funds for the Brain Aneurysm Foundation.
-- My story:
Back in December of 2024, my world flipped upside down. I woke up to a phone call that my best friend, who I spoke to just a few hours before, had unexpectedly passed away. Ana Orsini was the most special person in my life, and she was suddenly gone. We never got to say goodbye or live out all of our future plans together.
In the blink of an eye, my life was changed forever. I will never be the same person as I was when she was here. After this happened, for the next few months everyday was a challenge. Even just getting out of bed felt impossible and sometimes it still is, especially when a special date approaches.
Just before her passing she convinced me to take a chance and move hundreds of miles away for a new job. We spoke nonstop during my move, during which she helped me ease into this new phase of life. Her constant presence during these weeks, made her subsequent absence unbearable.
For the first time in my life I learned what grief was and I still deal with it every day. But it’s not just me, many other people share my grief. Ana was loved by so many and did so much for the communities she lived in during her life as a TV anchor and reporter and mentoring through Big Brothers Big Sisters. Ana was passionate about supporting the people around her, never hesitating to provide assistance, love, or a shoulder to lean on.
Her legacy deserves to be carried on by those who love her. That is why I'm doing this fundraiser. To spread awareness, support my community and to try and prevent someone else from going through what I and so many others went through that night.
You can help too, by donating money for research and spreading awareness as much as we can.
Brain aneurysm ruptures are often preventable, but there isn’t enough awareness about them. By telling her story and raising awareness, we can help others before it’s too late.
-- How you can help:
Every dollar raised goes directly towards research, support and awareness.
+$50 provides materials for support groups and survivors nationwide.
+$100 supports awareness campaigns to promote early detection.
+$250 helps fund research grants for reducing brain aneurysm ruptures, discovering new treatments and for diagnostic tools.
+$500 brings us closer to life-saving awareness, research and treatment
-- Stats:
1 in 50 people in the U.S. has an unruptured brain aneurysm. Every 18 minutes, one ruptures and half of those cases result in death. Around the world, half a million people die each year because of an aneurysm - half of them under the age of 50.
-- Symptoms:
A sudden and severe headache described as the worst headache of your life, a stiff neck, sensitivity to light, weakness and numbness. Ana had all of these symptoms and was scheduled to be seen at an urgent care. She never made it in for her appointment.
With your help, we can spread awareness, reduce fatalities, and stop families and friends from having to grieve the loss of their loved ones.
Every donation helps, no matter how large or how small. I greatly appreciate any help we can get. (And it's tax deductible!)
