Hope Bednarski’s late mother, Doris Connor, was always quick to offer a helping hand to others. Eleven years after Connor’s death from a brain aneurysm, Bednarski is carrying on her mother’s giving spirit by raising awareness and funds for the Brain Aneurysm Foundation through the annual Run for Doris, which includes a 5K race, 1-mile walk and half-mile kids’ fun run.
“She always went out of her way to help others, and that’s something I try to do now through this — spread awareness,” said Bednarski, a former guidance counselor who lives in Cicero.
Bednarski started the race in her mother’s memory in 2012 to benefit the Brain Aneurysm Foundation. Last year, Run for Doris raised $13,000, a goal Bednarski hopes to beat for this year’s race, which takes place Sept. 21 at Oneida Shores in Brewerton.
“We’re hoping it gets bigger every year,” Bednarski said.
Run for Doris’ goal is to raise money and educate people about brain aneurysms, or weak spots in arteries in the brain. An aneurysm may not cause any symptoms until it ruptures, though one warning sign is “the worst headache of your life,” according to the Brain Aneurysm Foundation.
An estimated 6 million Americans live with unruptured brain aneurysms, and 30,000 people suffer a rupture each year. Forty percent of people with a ruptured aneurysm will die, and of those who survive, two-thirds may have permanent neurological problems.
“It’s something you can be born with, and you might not know you have it unless it ruptures,” Bednarski explained.
In late January 2003, while Bednarski was living in Georgia, Connor called in sick to her job as a registered nurse for CNY Developmental Services. The next day, she didn’t call, but never showed up, which was highly unusual for the woman her daughter describes as hard-working. Bednarski’s sister went to check on their mother and found her disoriented at home.
While at Upstate University Hospital, Connor seemed to improve and was awake and talking to her family. Bednarski rushed home to Central New York from Georgia.
Despite this brief glimpse of progress, neurosurgeons said the location of Connor’s ruptured aneurysm meant a low chance of survival. After surgery and bouts of rehab, Connor died at age 59, five months after her aneurysm ruptured.
“She was very active and healthy, so we thought,” Bednarski said. She said her mother worked out and ate a balanced diet. Unfortunately, there was nothing she could do to prevent or detect the aneurysm.
Bednarski got the idea of starting an aneurysm awareness race after attending a similar event for breast cancer. Her family and friends supported her, and she’s garnered donations from local businesses, including a sponsorship by Walgreens.
“They’re getting donations from their customers, so that’s helping,” Bednarski said.
Participants of Run for Doris will have a chance to enter several prize drawings. The “grand prize” is a package of two tickets to see “The Phantom of the Opera” on Broadway, a backstage tour and hotel accommodations.
In addition to the run and walk, the event will feature activities for kids, such as face painting and a bounce house.
“It’s a fun family day,” Bednarski said.
For Bednarski, Run for Doris is also a way to teach her two children about their late grandmother, whom they never had the chance to meet.
“She was always a very positive person who would always say, ‘Don’t give up — keep trying,’” Bednarski recalled. “We try to keep her memory alive.”
Bednarski said losing her mother has taught her to live in the moment and appreciate her loved ones even more.
“You can’t get time back,” she said.
The Doris A. Connor Memorial Walk/Run for Brain Aneurysm Awareness takes place at 9 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, at Oneida Shores Park, 9400 Bartel Road, Brewerton.
Pre-registration for the 5K run and one-mile walk costs $20, and same-day registration is $25. Children can register for the fun run for $10, which will get them a ribbon and chocolate milk for their participation.
Register at give.bafound.org/2014RunForDoris or starting at 8 a.m. the day of the race. For more information, visit runfordoris.com.
