The Bee Foundation’s Virtual Race Day was a huge success, with participants lacing up their sneakers and hitting the pavement all over the country to raise awareness and funds for brain aneurysm prevention. From coast to coast, teams and individuals gathered in honor of survivors, loved ones lost, and the commitment to preventing this devastating condition. We’re thrilled to share a recap of some of the inspiring events that took place!
The Bee Lions – Led by Kirsten Edling
Kirsten Edling and her team, The Bee Lions, gathered at Peace Valley Park for a meaningful walk to raise awareness for brain aneurysm research. Marking 10 years since her AVM and aneurysm diagnosis, this was an important milestone in life. Kirsten was joined by friends and family who came together locally and participated virtually from Montauk, Santa Barbara, and Avalon to support the cause.
Kirsten shared, “Not a year has gone by that I don’t remind myself how incredibly lucky I am for the wonderful neurosurgery and medical teams at Jefferson and Penn Medicine, as well as the amazing support from family and friends.” Through her journey, she has found a powerful community within The Bee Foundation, supporting their mission of research, awareness, advocacy, and support. Her team embraced the mantra: Strength of a Bee; Heart of a Lion, symbolizing the strength and courage needed to persevere.
Jaleesa Matthews’ Fort Washington Park Race
At Fort Washington Park, Jaleesa Matthews hosted a walk with her family and friends. After surviving a brain aneurysm rupture on August 5, 2021, Jaleesa has found her life’s calling—advocacy. She shared how this experience shaped her life and how it’s now crucial to her to raise awareness about brain aneurysms, particularly in communities where this condition is rarely discussed.
“Brain aneurysms are rarely discussed in our communities…We need clarity on why these things form and what we can do to prevent them,” Jaleesa said. Her journey is a powerful reminder of the importance of advocacy and education.
In honor of Ken, the Yeah Bay-Bees team gathered at Rehoboth Beach for their race, and it turned out to be a beautiful day. The team was surprised to find their sunglasses turning purple—Ken’s favorite color. Their race ended with a stop at The Starboard, where they shared laughs over “healthy” bloody Marys, all while honoring Ken’s memory with love and joy.
Ashley Brown’s Race in St. Louis
In St. Louis, Ashley Brown and her team participated in the race, continuing the wave of support and awareness across the country. Every step they took was dedicated to the cause of preventing brain aneurysms and supporting those impacted by this condition.
These incredible teams are just a few examples of the dedication and commitment that made this year’s Virtual Race Day such a success. From coast to coast, The Bee Foundation family came together to run, walk, and advocate for brain aneurysm prevention, creating ripples of awareness and support.
How to Get Involved
Missed out on this year’s race? It’s not too late to make a difference! Here’s how you can still participate:
1. Learn More About The Race Series: You can still join races happening throughout the month.
2. Donate: Support one of the amazing teams like The Bee Lions or Yeah Bay-Bees by donating to their fundraising efforts.
3. Spread the Word: Share your race day photos and stories on social media to help raise awareness and educate others about brain aneurysms.
Thank you to everyone who participated and made a difference in the fight against brain aneurysms!
