By Ashley M. Casey

Staff Writer

Hope Bednarski’s late mother, Doris Connor, was always quick to offer a helping hand to others. Thirteen years after Connor’s death from a brain aneurysm, Bednarski is carrying on her mother’s giving spirit through the fifth annual Doris A. Connor Memorial Walk and Run for Brain Aneurysm Awareness.

This year, the “Run for Doris” is keeping it local by partnering with the Joe Niekro Foundation, through which all proceeds will go to the Crouse Neuroscience Institute.

The Joe Niekro Foundation was started by Natalie Niekro in honor of her father. Joe Niekro was a Major League Baseball pitcher in the 1970s and died of a brain aneurysm at age 61 in 2006. While JNF is a national foundation, it supports organizations on the local level to raise awareness, provide education and fund research.

Bednarski said she switched foundations so Central New York could benefit more from the race.

“Part of the money used to go to research grants, but the rest, I didn’t get to see where it goes,” she said. “I like to see that it’s staying here in the community.”

In addition, Run for Doris will award a $500 scholarship to a Cicero-North Syracuse High School senior who wants to pursue a career in nursing, following in Doris Connor’s footsteps.

“I’m a C-NS alum, and a lot of the students there always help out at my race,” said Bednarski, of Cicero. “My mom was a registered nurse. She’d love it. I think she’d be very proud.”

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.

An estimated 6 million Americans live with unruptured brain aneurysms, and 30,000 people suffer a rupture each year. Half of people with a ruptured aneurysm will die instantly; the other half may die of complications later or suffer permanent neurological problems.

While raising awareness and money for brain aneurysm research is important, Run for Doris is also a way for Bednarski 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.

This year, every 5k participant will receive a medal courtesy of Farone and Son Funeral Home. Kids who take part in the half-mile fun run will receive ribbons, coupons for free snacks and a free one-hour jump pass to the Get Air trampoline park in Cicero. There will be family-friendly activities and entertainment, including balloon twisting by Mike, the Cartoon Magician.

Check-in and late registration for the Doris A. Connor Memorial Walk and Run for Brain Aneurysm Awareness starts at 8 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, at Oneida Shores Park, 9400 Bartel Road, Brewerton. Registration for the 5K run or one-mile walk costs $30; children can sign up for the half-mile fun run for $10. To register or to learn more, visit runfordoris.com.